Is a cold call offering to reduce my energy bill a scam?
Cold calls promising to cut your energy bill are often scams or high-pressure sales for overpriced switching services. Genuine tariff switching is done through regulated comparison sites.
Last reviewed: 1 August 2026
Explanation
Energy bill reduction scams and misleading sales calls spike during periods of high energy costs. Some are outright frauds that collect personal and banking details under the guise of setting up a new tariff. Others are aggressive marketing for switching brokers that earn large commissions and may switch you to a worse deal. Genuine tariff comparison is free through regulated comparison sites and is initiated by the consumer, not an unsolicited caller. In the UK, cold-calling for energy switching without prior consent is prohibited under Ofgem and ICO rules.
A common opening gambit is false familiarity: the caller implies they are from your current supplier, or from a 'government-backed' savings scheme, and asks you to confirm account or bank details they should already have if they were genuine. Anything you confirm — supplier name, tariff, direct debit details — becomes material for either a fraudulent switch or a later, better-targeted scam.
If cheaper energy is genuinely the goal, take the initiative yourself: check your current tariff in your supplier's app or on a bill, then compare through a regulated comparison service in your own time. Nothing an unsolicited caller offers requires a same-day decision, and the pressure to decide now is itself the strongest evidence of bad faith.
Common red flags
- Unsolicited call claiming to represent your energy supplier
- Promises of very large savings with no comparison shown
- Requests bank details, direct debit details, or account numbers during the call
- Urgency — offer only available today
What to do now
- Do not provide personal or payment details to an unsolicited caller
- Check your current tariff directly with your supplier
- Use a regulated comparison site to find genuine deals
- Register with the Telephone Preference Service (UK) or Do Not Call registry (US) to reduce cold calls
Frequently asked questions
Can scammers switch my energy without my permission?
Fraudulent switching ('slamming') has occurred. If your supply is switched without your consent, contact your regulator — you have the right to be returned to your original tariff at no cost.
The caller knew my name and address. Doesn't that mean the call is genuine?
No — names, addresses, and even supplier details circulate through data breaches and marketing lists. Genuine suppliers verify you; they do not ask you to hand over account or bank details to prove who you are to them.