How to Spot and Stop Energy Text Scams
Energy Advice
- Scammers often pretend to be Ofgem, DWP or your energy supplier, messaging about refunds, rebates or bill support. If you didn’t expect the message, don’t click.
- Never share one-time passcodes or bank details and don’t pay a “fee” to unlock discounts. Instead, contact your supplier using the number on your bill or their official website.
- Report scam texts by forwarding them free of charge to 7726. If you’re worried, LEAP can take a look and advise.
Typical annual bills were around £1,755 from 1st October and energy debt hit a record high, with 58% of adults saying they’re likely to ration heating this winter. That pressure creates opportunities for scams. As bills stay high and many households struggle, criminals tend to lean on panic and urgency to trick people by text.
What a scam text looks like
Watch for these red flags (you may spot more than one at once):
- Unexpected contact about refunds, rebates or meter upgrades
- Unusual sending numbers, spelling mistakes or generic “Dear Customer” greetings
- Pressure to act fast, threats of fines/cut-offs or any kind of countdown timer
- Requests for bank details, passwords or one-time passcodes (OTPs), or unusual payment methods (such as gift cards)
- Links to websites that aren’t your supplier’s normal address
Energy Saving Trust’s guide summarises these warning signs clearly and notes that Ofgem will never ask for personal information or sell you energy.
Don’t click: do this instead
Go direct
Open your supplier’s official app or website. If the text claims to be about a government scheme (e.g Warm Home Discount), check the official guidance. Legitimate Warm Home Discount communications come by post, not text, and you won’t be asked for bank details.
Verify using trusted details
Call the number on your latest bill or on your supplier’s website – not the number in the message.
Protect your codes and accounts
Never give out one-time passcodes, passwords or PINs and never pay a “release fee” to access any kind of discount.
Know the current scams
As an example, with the 2025 RTS meter switch-off, your supplier must replace an RTS meter for free. If anyone texts asking you to pay for a meter change, it’s a scam.
Likewise, messages about “re-applying for the £400 Energy Bills Support Scheme” are fraudulent. The scheme ended in 2023 and you didn’t need to apply.
How to report a scam text in just 10 seconds
Forward the text to 7726 (that’s “SPAM” on your keypad). It’s free and helps the networks block the sender OR If you got an email, forward it to report@phishing.gov.uk.
Clicked a link or replied by mistake?
Don’t panic, but try to act fast:
- Contact your bank or card provider immediately (you may be able to freeze cards in your app)
- Change your passwords and enable two-factor authentication where you can
- Report to Action Fraud (Police Scotland on 101 if in Scotland) and ask Citizens Advice for tailored support
“Ofgem/DWP texted me about a rebate. Should I reply?”
No. Ofgem will never ask for personal information or payments, and government schemes won’t text you for bank details. Check official channels instead.
“I’ve been told to pay for a meter replacement due to ‘switch-off’.”
No fee is payable. Meter upgrades linked to the RTS switch-off are free via your supplier.
Scammers thrive on urgency and confusion. Taking a minute to check could save you a lot of money and stress, especially this winter, when pressure on bills and budgets remains high.
LEAP can guide you during an energy advice call. We’ll help you check any suspicious messages safely, help you contact your supplier or show you how to report a suspected scam.
