Energy bill scams on the rise, warns Trading Standards
We are being warned to look out for fake emails and texts claiming to offer discounts on energy bills.
We are being warned to look out for fake emails and texts claiming to offer discounts on energy bills.
A number of different scams have been circulating, including some that appear to be from the Government.
They've announced that a £400 energy bill discount will be available to all households, but this will be automatic and people should not give away personal details in order to apply.
Energy bills have been rising sharply - it had been forecast they could reach £4,200 in 2023 - although the government has since said typical household energy bills will be capped at £2,500 annually until 2024.
Advice from Trading Standards
Linda Laurie from Glasgow City Council Trading Standards said: "I suppose one of the main things I would say to people to is just be mindful of when you are expecting a text or an email in relation to whichever kind of situation it is.
"One of the things that quite often happens is when scams are on the go, they very much cling on what people are currently worried about, if they've maybe picked up things in the press.
"And quite often the scammers are very adaptable to change whatever their scam is, to whatever the sort of current crisis is for any particular person.
"So for example, the cost of living crisis, we're definitely seeing a lot people are obviously concerned about payments for their energy payments for their kind of food bills and things so those are the types of things that are now starting to kind of come through.
"Quite often, these text messages will have maybe a link that you have to click on and really these types of things are aimed at trying to get your personal information and your bank details so that they can be used for other sorts of scams are a means of getting the money out of your account.
"I would always say to people think first about were they expecting a message, take a few minutes, don't just automatically reply to something, take a few minutes to think about it. If it doesn't feel right, if you've got a kind of uneasy feeling about it, speak to someone that can even be like a neighbour or a friend or a relative."
Ofgem asks energy suppliers to step up
Ofgem has asked energy suppliers to be clearer on potential customer fraud on their websites.
An Ofgem spokesperson said protecting consumers is their top priority: "It is alarming that vulnerable customers are being preyed upon in this way when people are already struggling so much.
"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."
Cost of Living Crisis
Interest rates and inflation go up
Inflation rose by 8.8% in the 12 months to January 2023, down from 9.2% in December 2022. With interest rates also rising to 4%, those saving money will earn more interest on their finances, whilst those paying mortgages would pay more interest to the bank.
Energy bills
The price of energy went up incredibly as the cost of living crisis hit, with the gas price spike caused largely by the war in Ukraine. The price cap - which is set by an independent regulator to help offset costs onto customers - was set to rise to £3,549 for an average home in October but a price freeze from the government restricted the typical bill to £2,500. That's still an increase of 27% from the previous energy cap and as it's a cap on unit cost, the more energy you use the higher your bill will be.
Food prices
The cost of a weekly shop also has gone up as a result of the cost of living crisis. As a result of the war in Ukraine, a number of products including cooking oils and wheat have been disrupted. This means that several products are now considerably more expensive, driving bills up for customers.
Prices at the pumps
The average cost of petrol has also rose to unprecedented levels. Supply lines for petrol have been thrown into doubt as a result of the war in Ukraine, as Russia is a large export partner for gas, oil and fuel. In April 2022, the average price for a litre of petrol on the forecourt was 160.2p, whilst a litre of diesel would cost 170.5p. By late June 2022 the price had risen to an average of 190.9p for a litre of unleaded and 198.9p for a litre of diesel. In March 2023 the price wass on average of 147.03 in petrol and 167.04 in diesel.
Average cost of filling up a car with petrol hits £100
On 9th June 2022, the average cost of filling up a car with petrol hit £100 for the first time ever. Diesel had already hit that milestone. It comes as the cost of fuel hit a record high of one pound eighty a litre. The 2p rise was the biggest daily jump in 17 years. Prices have dropped by at least 20p per litre since the high point.