Is a doorstep canvasser from an energy company offering me a better tariff and asking me to switch legitimate?
Some doorstep energy switching is legitimate, but the sector has a documented history of high-pressure mis-selling, forged consent, and sometimes outright fraud.
Last reviewed: 1 August 2026
Explanation
Doorstep energy sales are tightly regulated in most countries because of widespread mis-selling. Legitimate energy sales agents must identify themselves, give you time to consider, provide full written terms before you agree, and honour a statutory cooling-off period if you change your mind. Problems arise when agents forge signatures, switch you without consent, misrepresent tariff savings, or represent companies that are not genuinely licensed suppliers. Before agreeing to anything at the door, ask for the agent's ID card and company name, verify the company is licensed by your energy regulator, and check comparison sites yourself rather than accepting the agent's claim about savings. Never provide your current energy account details on the doorstep.
The doorstep setting is chosen because it strips away your usual tools: you cannot easily compare tariffs, check a register, or discuss the decision with anyone while a persuasive stranger waits on your step. A legitimate offer survives a delay — any deal that is only available if you sign right now is not a deal, it is a pressure tactic. Taking the agent's materials and saying you will consider them costs you nothing and instantly filters out most bad actors, who need same-day commitment to make their approach pay. If a switch does go through without your consent, contact your existing supplier promptly; erroneous transfer processes exist to reverse it.
Common red flags
- Agent cannot provide verifiable company ID
- Pressure to sign or agree at the door without time to consider
- Claims of savings that seem too large to be credible
- Request for your current account number, meter readings, or bank details at the door
- No written terms or cooling-off period mentioned
What to do now
- Take the agent's details and verify the company on your energy regulator's register
- Do not sign anything at the door
- Check any claimed savings yourself on a comparison site
- Report high-pressure or fraudulent doorstep selling to your energy regulator
Frequently asked questions
Can I cancel a switch I agreed to at the door?
Yes. Most countries provide a statutory cooling-off period of at least 14 days for distance and doorstep sales. Contact the new supplier in writing immediately if you wish to cancel.
What if I was switched without ever agreeing to anything?
Contact your existing supplier straight away and say you did not consent. Suppliers operate erroneous transfer procedures to reverse unauthorised switches, and you can escalate to the energy ombudsman if it is not resolved.