Fake Insulation Grant Scams via Phone Calls
How cold callers impersonating government insulation grant schemes charge homeowners for surveys or deposits on insulation work that qualifies for free government funding.
Part of: Fake Insulation Grant Scams
Last reviewed: 9 June 2026
Government insulation schemes in the UK — including the ECO4 scheme and the Great British Insulation Scheme — provide cavity wall and loft insulation free or at reduced cost to qualifying households. Cold callers exploit awareness of these genuine programmes by posing as approved contractors or government representatives and charging fees for something the homeowner could receive at no cost.
The phone channel is effective for this scam because it allows the caller to engage the homeowner in a conversation about energy costs, home comfort, and potential savings before introducing the grant topic. By the time the caller asks for a survey fee or deposit, the homeowner is already invested in the conversation and primed to believe the opportunity is genuine.
How this scam works on phone calls
The caller begins with questions about the type of insulation currently in the property and introduces the government scheme as a way to significantly reduce energy costs. A survey appointment is offered and a fee — described as a refundable survey deposit or administrative charge — is requested to secure the slot. After payment, either no surveyor arrives or the surveyor claims the property does not qualify despite indications to the contrary, and the deposit is not returned.
In a more elaborate version, an installation is performed using low-quality materials or by unqualified workers. The installation may then cause damp, structural problems, or fall short of the standards required for the genuine grant scheme, leaving the homeowner with a damaged property and bills that were supposed to have been covered.
Common red flags
- Cold caller offering government insulation grants and asking for a survey deposit
- Caller claims to be an approved government contractor but cannot provide certification details
- Survey fee described as refundable but refund is refused once the appointment is made
- Installation completed by workers with no visible credentials or insurance
- Quoted eligibility criteria do not match the official scheme requirements when checked online
- Installation quality problems — gaps, damp, or settling — appear shortly after work is done
How to protect yourself
- Access government insulation schemes through your energy supplier or at gov.uk — there are no survey fees
- Verify any contractor against the TrustMark or PAS 2035 quality mark registers
- Do not pay any deposit for a government-funded insulation scheme — qualifying work is funded directly
- Report contractors who charge for government-funded work to Trading Standards
- Check for TrustMark registration at trustmark.org.uk before allowing any work
How to report it
- Report to Trading Standards (UK) via Citizens Advice
- Report to Action Fraud (UK) if money was taken
- Contact your energy supplier about ECO4-funded insulation directly
Frequently asked questions
Should I pay anything for a government insulation grant survey?
No. Surveys for insulation under government-funded schemes such as ECO4 are free to qualifying households. Any request for a survey fee or deposit in connection with a government insulation scheme should be refused.
How do I find a legitimate insulation installer under the ECO4 scheme?
Contact your energy supplier directly — most major UK suppliers administer ECO4 referrals. Alternatively, visit gov.uk and use the official Ofgem energy efficiency scheme finder to be referred to an approved provider.