Green Grant Scams via Phone Calls
How scammers impersonate government green energy schemes over the phone to charge upfront fees for grants that do not exist or to gather personal data for identity fraud.
Part of: Green Grant Scams
Last reviewed: 8 June 2026
Government green energy grant schemes — for insulation, heat pumps, solar panels, and boiler replacements — are genuine and widely advertised, which creates an ideal cover for telephone scammers. A cold call arrives claiming the household qualifies for a government-backed green grant, that the scheme has limited places, and that an assessment fee or administrative charge must be paid immediately to secure the entitlement.
In reality, no genuine government grant scheme requires consumers to pay an upfront fee to access their entitlement. The fees collected disappear, no work is arranged, and personal details gathered during the call may be used for identity fraud.
How this scam works on phone calls
A caller claims to represent a government energy efficiency scheme — sometimes citing real scheme names that can be verified online. They state the household qualifies for free or subsidised insulation, a heat pump, or a boiler replacement, and that a small administrative or assessment fee of a few hundred pounds must be paid to begin the process. Payment urgency is created by claiming limited places remain.
After payment, the caller schedules an assessment that never materialises, or provides a survey reference that cannot be verified through the real scheme's portal. Follow-up calls to the number provided find it disconnected.
Common red flags
- Caller requires an upfront fee to access a government energy grant — genuine grants have no application fee
- Urgency is created by claiming only a few places remain in a government scheme
- Payment is requested by bank transfer, gift card, or an unusual method
- Caller cannot provide a reference you can verify on the official government scheme website
- Contact details for the company cannot be verified through Companies House or an official business register
How to protect yourself
- Access government energy grant information only through official government websites (gov.uk in the UK, energy.gov in the US)
- Never pay an upfront fee to access a government grant — all genuine schemes are free to apply for
- Verify scheme details and eligibility directly on the official scheme's website before engaging with any caller
- Register with the Telephone Preference Service to reduce unsolicited calls
- If uncertain, call your local council, which can provide information on legitimate schemes in your area
How to report it
- Report to Action Fraud (UK) at actionfraud.police.uk
- Report to Ofgem (UK) or your national energy regulator
- Report to the FTC (US) at reportfraud.ftc.gov
Frequently asked questions
What does a legitimate green energy grant scheme involve?
Legitimate schemes are advertised through official government websites and local authority channels. They do not require upfront fees. A surveyor may be sent to assess your property at no cost, and approved work is then carried out by accredited contractors with the grant applied directly.