With energy bills increasing from October 1, when the Energy Price Guarantee comes into effect, an urgent scam warning has been issued to energy customers.
The National Fraud Intelligence Bureau (NFIB) has warned people to keep an eye out for fake emails from Ofgem claiming to be about energy rebates.
Between the end of August and the start of September, more than 1,500 fraudulent emails of this variety were reported via the Suspicious Email Reporting Service (SERS).
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As reported by the Daily Record, households have been warned about suspicious-looking emails that ask them to click on a link. This will take them to a website that may download malicious software onto their computer, or steal passwords and other sensitive information.
With the cost of living crisis continuing to worsen, criminals are taking advantage of households struggling financially by falsely offering them rebates or refunds.
Detective Chief Inspector Hayley King from the City of London Police stated: “It is shameful that in a time of financial hardship, criminals are targeting members of the public by claiming they are entitled to receiving rebates and refunds.
“If an email is genuine, the company will never push you into handing over your details. Always take a moment to consider if the request you have received is genuine.
“We would always urge people to follow the Take Five to Stop Fraud advice and think carefully before giving out their personal and financial details.”
Ofgem energy refund and rebate phishing scam email
According to Action Fraud, people are receiving fake emails that claim they are due an energy refund as part of a UK Government cost of living initiative.
The links included in these emails send the victim to dangerous websites that will attempt to steal their personal information and passwords.
Many of these emails have a subject header of ‘Claim your bill rebate now’, and include the Ofgem logo and colours in order to appear genuine.
An Ofgem spokesperson stated: “Protecting consumers is our top priority and it is alarming that vulnerable customers are being preyed upon in this way when people are already struggling so much.
"That’s why, as the energy regulator, on top of issuing our own warnings and advice, we have asked all energy suppliers to ensure clear and up to date information on scams is easily accessible on their websites.
“We take these attempts to exploit consumers very seriously and work with the National Cyber Security Centre to prevent these malicious attacks.”
Ofgem said that anyone who is suspicious of an email or phone call should pause and verify their identity before giving away any personal information.
It added: “Genuine organisations won’t mind you calling back, only scammers apply pressure and insist you hand over details immediately.
“If you have any doubts about a message, consumers should contact the organisation directly and not use the numbers or address in the message - use the details from their official website.”
How to protect yourself
In order to ensure that any phone call or message you receive is genuine, you should get in touch with the company directly to check.
You should not follow any links or call any number in any suspicious-looking correspondence you receive, and should cross-reference with any previous legitimate message you have received from the organisation.
No legitimate company will ask you to send over personal information via email.
Report a suspicious email
If you receive an email that you are suspicious of, you should forward it to eport@phishing.gov.uk even if you are not certain it is a scam.
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