Households warned over energy bill scammers pretending to be from regulator Ofgem

Economy
By Liam

Households warned of energy bill scammers posing as regulator Ofgem

  • A fake Ofgem website has just been shut down by the energy regulator
  • But it’s not the end of the energy scammers, who have proven ruthless
  • This is how you recognize the usual tricks of the energy fraudsters

By Sam Barker

Updated:

Households are being warned to watch out for fraudsters impersonating energy regulator Ofgem in an attempt to steal their data and money.

These scams are chasing high utility bills, currently averaging £2,074 a year, as well as the various government support schemes designed to cover these costs.

Ofgem said it caught and shut down the latest website posing as the regulator’s own online site.

The scam website – ofgem-portal.com – was apparently designed to steal consumer data.

Don’t be fooled: this fake website has nothing to do with the real website of regulator Ofgem

Despite a few typos, the very convincing fake website went to great lengths to look real, including copying Ofgem’s font, logo and online design.

A statement from Ofgem said that ‘consumers may be susceptible to claims from energy discounts and cashback offers due to the high cost of living.’

An Ofgem spokesperson added: ‘Protecting consumers is our top priority and it is alarming that vulnerable customers are being targeted in this way when people are already struggling so much.

“We take these attempts to exploit consumers very seriously and are working with the National Cyber ​​Security Center to prevent these malicious attacks.”

How to spot an energy scam

The energy regulator said it will never ask consumers for their bank details or personal information.

Another common sign of a scam is that victims try to rush or panic to give up their data.

An Ofgem spokesperson added: ‘If people are not sure if something is a scam they should pause, check and not be pushed by callers.

“Real organizations don’t mind if you call back, only scammers pressure and insist you hand over details right away.

Why are energy bills so high?

Since the outbreak of the pandemic, the demand for gas has increased enormously, but the supply is struggling to catch up. It has driven up prices and pushed up the cost of gas and electricity for both households and businesses.

This was exacerbated by the Russian invasion of Ukraine, which has put pressure on gas supplies across Europe.

“If in doubt about a message, consumers should contact the organization directly and not use the numbers or address in the message, but use the details from their official website.”

Scammers may also contact you out of the blue pretending to be from Ofgem.

For example, a fraudster could call saying they are from Ofgem, suggest you switch energy companies and then ask for your bank details.

Ofgem said known ways scammers try to make contact by:

  • knocking at your door
  • phone call
  • social media
  • email
  • pop-up message on a website
  • instant message
  • text message

Report a suspected scam Action Fraud.

This is part of the City of London Police and is the national unit specializing in fraud and cybercrime.

In Scotland, contact Police Scotland on 101.

If you have provided information such as bank details, please contact your bank immediately.

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