Real Energy Supplier vs Energy Broker Scam
Tell a genuine energy supplier or switching service apart from an energy broker or doorstep scam.
Last reviewed: 1 June 2026
Legitimate energy companies and regulated switching services are easy to verify. Doorstep or telephone energy broker scams pressure you into switching to a supplier that may not exist or charge hidden fees. The comparisons below give you a quick check.
Side-by-side comparison
| Real energy supplier | Energy broker scam | |
|---|---|---|
| Authorisation | Listed on Ofgem's register; verifiable company number | Cannot provide a company registration or regulator reference |
| Upfront fee | No fee to switch; savings come from a lower tariff | Charges a joining fee, 'admin cost', or 'savings guarantee' deposit |
| Contact method | You initiate contact or they follow opt-in marketing rules | Unsolicited doorstep or cold-call pressure to sign on the spot |
| Contract | Provides full written contract and cooling-off period | Minimal paperwork; rushes signature without explaining terms |
| Meter access | Reads meter through official process or smart meter | Asks to photograph your bank details alongside the meter |
Common red flags
- Pressure to sign a contract on the doorstep with no time to read it
- Request for bank details or direct debit before any written agreement
- Cannot name or verify the energy supplier they are signing you up to
- Claims of a government grant requiring an upfront fee
- Aggressive tactics when you ask for time to check credentials
Verification steps
- Check the company on the Ofgem supplier register or Companies House
- Ask for full written terms before agreeing to anything
- Use a regulated comparison site (such as Ofgem-accredited) to verify any claimed savings
- Exercise your 14-day cooling-off period if you do sign
What not to do
- Don't sign anything on the doorstep without reading the contract
- Don't hand over bank details or meter photos on the spot
- Don't pay any upfront fee to switch energy supplier
A safe response
Politely decline on the doorstep and contact your current supplier or an Ofgem-accredited comparison service independently if you want to explore switching.
Frequently asked questions
Is a doorstep energy sales visit always a scam?
Not always, but any genuine agent will give you written materials, a cooling-off period, and their company registration number. Refusing to provide these is a red flag.