Warning over energy related scams in Bucks, Beds and Herts
Fraudsters are exploiting confusion surrounding the cost-of-living crisis
Energy-related scams are on the rise across Bucks, Beds and Herts.
Fraudsters are exploiting confusion surrounding the cost-of-living crisis and soaring energy bills.
Con-artists are now posing as energy suppliers, crafting legitimate looking emails inviting customers to claim refunds.
The Bucks and Surrey Trading Standard say these fraudsters are “opportunist criminals” who are taking advantage of the latest “stresses and strains”.
They advise people to “think twice and seek advice” if they believe they are victims of Energy related scams.
January saw a 27% year-on-year increase in energy related fraud
Scams mentioning one of the 'big six' energy firms in the first quarter of this year were up 10% on the same period last year, figures from Action Fraud and reported by Which? Show:
January alone saw a 27% year-on-year increase. Which? said it believed the true figure was likely to be even higher, as many scam attempts went unreported.
A common scam involves phishing emails in which a fraudster posing as an energy supplier invites the customer to claim a refund due to a miscalculation on their energy bill, but requires the recipient to reveal their bank details.
Scammers are utilising uncertainty to pose as debt collection firms
The collapse of several small energy firms had also created an atmosphere of confusion around outstanding bills, with scammers utilising uncertainty to pose as debt collection firms, the consumer group warned.
Former customers of Brilliant Energy have reported receiving sophisticated phishing emails, including their names and knowledge of their former supplier, more than two years after the company had been wound up.
Five million people may have been affected by such scams
Research from Citizens Advice suggests that around five million people may have been taken in by such scams, paying for services that never materialised.
“Be suspicious” and "don't be embarrassed"
Lee Ormandy is deputy team manager for Bucks & Surrey Trading Standards, he told us how to identify a fraudulent email.
“If you get an email out of the blue, immediately be suspicious.”
"First piece of advice is to stop, step back and read it again because a lot of scams are trying to rush you to make rash decisions
He added, "don’t be embarrassed because these scams are very sophisticated... together we should be able to help people”
Lee has been telling us some of the things to look out for:
- Is the spelling and grammar correct, are the logos distorted? (stretched or blurry)
- Are they asking for personal or banking information? That is a huge red flag
- If you suspect it is a scam you should delete it and definitely do not click on any links