Fake Energy Broker Scams via Phone Calls
How scammers posing as energy brokers or comparison service agents over the phone switch households to higher-cost tariffs or charge commission fees without providing a genuine service.
Part of: Fake Energy Broker Scams
Last reviewed: 8 June 2026
Energy brokers are a legitimate part of the market, particularly for businesses, but they are also a vehicle for consumer fraud. A cold call arrives claiming to represent an energy comparison service, a new supplier, or a government initiative, promising lower energy bills if the consumer authorises a tariff switch. In reality, the 'broker' earns commission from expensive tariffs they switch customers to, or charges an upfront brokerage fee without acting in the customer's interest.
Some operations go further, obtaining enough billing account details to switch the customer to a more expensive tariff without clear consent, or setting up a payment arrangement where direct debits are rerouted through the fraudulent broker's account.
How this scam works on phone calls
A caller claims to be from an energy comparison or switching service and says they have identified a cheaper tariff for the household. They request billing details — account number, current supplier name, monthly spend — ostensibly to compare tariffs. Once these details are collected, the customer is switched to a different supplier without independent verification that the new tariff is genuinely cheaper.
In some cases, the caller sets up a new direct debit to their own account, telling the consumer this is the new supplier's payment method. Consumers discover the fraud when their legitimate supplier sends a demand for unpaid bills.
Common red flags
- Unsolicited call offering guaranteed savings on energy bills without detailed comparison
- Caller requests banking details or direct debit authority over the phone
- Caller claims to represent a government energy scheme without being able to provide verifiable official details
- Proposed saving is dramatically higher than anything available on official comparison sites
- Caller creates urgency by stating the offer expires at the end of the call
How to protect yourself
- Use official price comparison websites to compare energy tariffs independently before switching
- Never authorise a switch or provide banking details to an unsolicited caller
- Register with the Telephone Preference Service (UK) or National Do Not Call Registry (US) to reduce cold calls
- Contact your current supplier and the proposed new one directly to verify any switch before authorising
- Check your bank statements for unexpected direct debit changes
How to report it
- Report to Ofgem (UK) or your national energy regulator for unauthorised switching
- Report to Action Fraud (UK) or the FTC (US) at reportfraud.ftc.gov
- Contact your bank immediately if banking details were provided to an unknown caller
Frequently asked questions
Can an energy switch be made without my explicit consent?
Erroneous switches — where a customer is moved to a new supplier without proper consent — are a regulated issue in the UK. Your current supplier can initiate a reversal and the new supplier may be liable for compensation. Report erroneous switches to your current supplier and to Ofgem.