With energy bills set to increase sharply this winter, scammers know it’s something to cash in on.
We are all conscious of the crisis, and nervous about the impact it will have on our businesses and families. And this means that we are more prone than usual to responding without due care and attention to scams.
The government has stepped in to help, promising to cap energy bills and offering discounts. The gov.uk website says “The Energy Bills Support Scheme provides a £400 non-repayable discount to eligible households to help with their energy bills over winter 2022 to 2023”.
The important thing to note here is that the discount is automatic
You do not need to provide your bank details in order to receive the discount. Your energy provider will organise it directly.
If you get a message asking for your bank details, it could be a scam
A number of different Energy Bills Support Scheme scams have been circulating, including some that appear to be from the energy regulator Ofgem. They may invite you to apply for the discount, and instruct you to follow a link to a fake website and set up a direct debit.
If you receive any message like this, DO NOT CLICK on the link!
Ofgem themselves say on their website: “A scammer might call saying they are from Ofgem, suggest you switch and then ask for your bank details. They might try to contact you by:
- knocking at your door
- phone call
- social media
- pop-up message on a website
- instant message
- text message
These are energy scams. Ofgem would never sell you energy, ask for personal information or come to your property. REPORT THE SCAM TO ACTION FRAUD, the reporting centre for fraud and cyber-crime in England, Wales and Northern Ireland”.
If you are worried you may have fallen for a scam, or for any other cyber security advice, why not give datamills a call on 0114 287 0510, or email us on info@datamills.co.uk