Avoid and report energy scams
It's important to report scams to help protect other people from falling for them and being exploited. Learn what to look out for and who to contact.
Energy scams
Scammers may sometimes contact you pretending to be from Ofgem. For example, 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. In Scotland, contact Police Scotland on 101.
If you have given any of your personal information like your bank details, contact your bank immediately for help.
Contacting Ofgem about scams or wrongdoing
After you have reported a suspected scam to Action Fraud or Police Scotland, you can also tell us by email or by calling 020 7901 7295.
For general complaints, such as if you think an energy supplier, network company or energy product installer has acted wrongly, follow our complaints guide.
If you want to blow the whistle about suspected wrongdoing, follow our whistleblowing guide.
Watching out for ‘Ofgem’ scams
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Stop
Reject, refuse or ignore contact from ‘Ofgem’ that looks or sounds unusual, such as a request for your bank or personal details. We never ask for this information.
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Check
Check email addresses. Any emails to or from Ofgem always end @ofgem.gov.uk.
Check branding. The Ofgem logo will always be present in our communications. It should never look stretched, blurry or distorted.
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Protect
Only criminals will try to rush or panic you.
Contact your bank immediately if you think you’ve fallen for a scam. Report it to Action Fraud if you live in England or Wales, and Police Scotland in Scotland.
Learn how to spot and avoid scams on the Take Five to Stop Fraud website.
Who to contact
If you think you are a victim of fraud or have been contacted by someone trying to scam you:
- Call Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040 or use their online form.
- Please send suspicious emails to report@phishing.gov.uk
- In Scotland, call Police Scotland on 101.
- Always call 999 in an emergency, if you feel threatened or unsafe.
For general advice on managing unwanted calls and messages, visit the Ofcom website.
To manage unsolicited marketing and sales mailings, you can also sign up for the Mailing Preference Service.
The Trading Standards Office or the Trading Standard Service in Wales can also give advice on setting up ‘No Cold Calling Zones’ in your local area.
If you are concerned about an energy crime, such as theft of your gas or electricity:
- Report it on the CrimeStoppers Stay Energy Safe website
- Always call 999 in an emergency, if you feel threatened or unsafe.