Energy Prepayment Meter Top-Up Scam on Facebook
Facebook Marketplace and community group listings offer discounted prepayment energy top-up codes that turn out to be stolen, duplicated, or fake, leaving buyers without credit and at risk of further consequences.
Part of: Energy Prepayment Meter Top-Up Scam
Last reviewed: 13 July 2026
Facebook Marketplace and local community groups are common venues for sellers offering prepayment energy top-up codes at a discount, often framed as surplus credit someone no longer needs. Buyers struggling with energy costs are drawn in by the promise of cheaper credit for their prepayment meter.
How this scam works on Facebook
A seller posts in a Facebook group or Marketplace listing offering discounted energy top-up codes, claiming they bought in bulk or have surplus credit from a closed account. The buyer pays the seller directly, often via bank transfer or an informal payment method, and receives a code to enter into their prepayment meter.
The code may be invalid, already used, or associated with a stolen account, meaning it either fails to top up the meter or is later flagged and reversed by the energy supplier, leaving the buyer without the credit they paid for. In some cases, using a fraudulently obtained code can create complications with the buyer's own account with their supplier, even though the buyer had no knowledge the code was illegitimate.
Common red flags
- A Facebook Marketplace or group listing offers prepayment energy top-up codes at a steep discount
- The seller has no verifiable connection to a legitimate energy retailer or top-up service
- Payment is requested directly to a personal account rather than through Facebook's protected checkout, if offered
- The listing account is new or has little history beyond similar top-up sales
- The seller is vague about why they have surplus credit to sell
- You're pressured to buy quickly due to 'limited' discounted codes
How to protect yourself
- Top up your prepayment meter only through your energy supplier's official app, website, or authorized retail outlets like PayPoint
- Be skeptical of any 'discounted' energy credit sold informally through social media
- Avoid sending direct payments to individual sellers for top-up codes
- Report suspicious listings to Facebook rather than engaging with the seller
- Contact your energy supplier if a code you've entered fails or is later reversed
- Warn others in shared community groups if you encounter a suspicious listing
How to report it
- Report the listing or seller to Facebook using the Marketplace reporting tool
- Report to your energy supplier if you receive an invalid or reversed top-up code
- File a complaint with Action Fraud in the UK or the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov elsewhere
Frequently asked questions
Can I get my money back if a Facebook-bought top-up code turns out to be invalid?
Contact the seller first, but recovery is often difficult with informal payments; if you paid via Facebook Marketplace's supported checkout, you may have some buyer protection, though outcomes may depend on the payment method and timing — contact Facebook support and your bank directly.
Is it ever safe to buy discounted prepayment energy top-up codes online?
The safest approach is to top up only through your own supplier's official app, website, or authorized retail partners; codes sold informally through social media carry meaningful risk of being invalid, duplicated, or tied to a compromised account.
What happens if I use a stolen top-up code without knowing it was stolen?
Your energy supplier may reverse the credit once the fraud is identified, and you would need to top up again through legitimate means; contact your supplier directly to explain the situation, as their handling of the case may depend on your account's specific circumstances.
How can I tell if a Facebook seller of top-up codes is legitimate?
Check whether the seller has a verifiable business history, avoid listings that seem too good to be true on price, and remember that legitimate energy suppliers do not authorize individuals to resell discounted top-up codes informally.
Should I report a suspicious top-up listing even if I didn't buy from it?
Yes — reporting the listing to Facebook and, where relevant, to your energy supplier or a fraud reporting agency helps get it removed before it affects other buyers, particularly in local community groups where the same seller may target several people.