Fake Energy Broker Scams via Email
How email campaigns impersonating energy suppliers or brokers mislead businesses and households into switching to contracts with hidden terms, high exit fees, or no actual supply.
Part of: Fake Energy Broker Scams
Last reviewed: 9 June 2026
Energy broker emails occupy a grey area that makes them particularly deceptive. Legitimate energy brokers do operate by email and do offer contract comparisons and switching services — including to consumers who did not specifically invite them. Fraudulent operators mimic this legitimate email format to push switches to energy contracts with unfavourable hidden terms, to collect identity and payment information under the guise of processing a switch, or to impersonate a real supplier entirely.
For business energy customers, who are not always covered by the same regulatory protections as domestic consumers, email-based energy broker fraud can result in contracts that are difficult and expensive to exit.
How this scam works on email
An email arrives claiming to be from the consumer's current energy supplier or an authorised comparison service, notifying them of a better rate that has become available. A link leads to a switching form. In the fraudulent version, the form collects account details that enable the broker to switch the supply without proper consent — a practice known as slamming. The consumer later receives bills from a supplier they did not choose.
In a second version targeting businesses, a highly competitive rate is presented by email and a contract is electronically signed during a follow-up call or by email click, without the business realising the contract includes auto-renewal clauses, commission charges, or exit penalties of thousands of pounds.
Common red flags
- Email from an energy 'broker' you did not contact, with a switching link or form
- Switching process involves an electronic signature on a PDF without a clear cooling-off disclosure
- Rate offered is dramatically below current published market rates
- Email company name differs from any registered energy supplier in your country
- Business energy contract signed by click-through without detailed terms review
- You begin receiving a bill from a supplier you never chose
How to protect yourself
- Manage energy switching through official comparison sites or directly with suppliers you initiate contact with
- Do not click switching links in unsolicited energy emails
- Business energy contracts should be reviewed by a legal or procurement professional before signing
- Verify any claimed supplier's registration with Ofgem (UK) or your national energy regulator
- If an unauthorised switch occurs, contact your original supplier to request reversal
How to report it
- Report unauthorised switching (slamming) to Ofgem (UK) at ofgem.gov.uk
- Report to Citizens Advice Energy Helpline (UK) for consumer switching disputes
- Report to the FTC (US) for deceptive energy marketing practices
Frequently asked questions
What is energy slamming?
Energy slamming occurs when a supplier or broker switches your energy contract without your genuine informed consent. It is regulated by Ofgem in the UK, and if it happens to you, contact both your original supplier and Ofgem's consumer advice line to reverse the switch.
Are energy comparison emails always from scammers?
Not always — some legitimate comparison services operate by email. However, unsolicited switching offers that include pressure tactics, unclear terms, or requests for account credentials should always be independently verified before any action is taken.