Energy Rebate Scam
A scam impersonating a government energy bill support or rebate scheme to phish for bank details, often through unsolicited calls, texts, or door-to-door visits.
Last reviewed: 5 July 2026
Energy rebate and bill support schemes, whether aimed at low-income households, pensioners, or the general public during a period of high energy prices, provide a recurring pretext for scammers because such schemes genuinely exist and change frequently enough that the public struggles to keep track of exact eligibility rules. A call, text, or in-person visit claims the household qualifies for a rebate, discount, or free home energy efficiency upgrade, and asks for bank details to process the payment or a deposit to schedule the (often nonexistent) upgrade work.
A related version specifically targets homes for a fraudulent 'free boiler' or 'free insulation' scheme tied to a real government energy efficiency program, using the promise of a free upgrade to gain access to the home or to collect a deposit for work that is either substandard or never carried out. Genuine energy rebate schemes are applied for through the utility provider or a verified government website, never confirmed by handing over bank details to an unsolicited caller or door-to-door visitor.