Is a call saying my national grid or smart meter needs urgent upgrading a scam?
Cold calls about urgent meter upgrades are often scams using utility company names to gain access to your home or financial details.
Last reviewed: 1 June 2026
Explanation
Smart meter and utility upgrade scams involve callers claiming to be from your energy company, the national grid, or a government programme. They say your meter is faulty, overcharging you, or that you are legally required to upgrade within a short timeframe. Some scams are purely financial — they collect a fee for the 'upgrade'. Others use the pretext to gain access to your home, where they may steal, install fraudulent meters that allow energy theft, or pressurise you into buying energy-efficiency products. Genuine smart meter upgrades are offered free by your energy supplier and arranged through verifiable correspondence — they never begin with an unsolicited phone call demanding urgency.
Common red flags
- Unsolicited call about an urgent meter upgrade
- Caller cannot verify your account details without you providing them first
- Fee required for the upgrade
- Insists on immediate access to your home
What to do now
- Do not agree to a visit or payment during the call
- Call your energy supplier using the number on your bill to verify
- Ask any doorstep caller for a company ID and verify it before letting them in
- Report the call to your energy regulator and national fraud authority
Frequently asked questions
Are smart meter upgrades ever free?
Yes — in the UK and many countries, smart meter upgrades are provided free by energy suppliers under government schemes. You can request one through your supplier's official website.