Energy Bill Refund Text Scam Examples
This text message impersonates your energy supplier, claiming you're owed a refund for overpayment or a billing error and directing you to a link to enter your bank details to receive it. The prospect of unexpected free money makes people less cautious about the information they hand over, but the site is a fake collection page designed to capture your bank account, sort code, name, and sometimes online banking login details. The scammer then uses these to drain your account or commit wider identity fraud. The most important step is to check your account through the supplier's official app.
Last reviewed: 1 June 2026
Sanitized example messages
Illustrative, sanitized examples. Personal details are replaced with placeholders such as [phone number] and [fake link].
[Energy Company]: You are owed a refund of [amount] on your account. Claim it here within 7 days: [fake link]
Good news! Following an energy price review, [amount] has been credited to your account. Claim your refund: [fake link]
IMPORTANT: Your energy account is in credit of [amount]. To receive your refund, please update your payment details: [fake link]
[Energy Company]: You overpaid on your last bill. We are holding a refund of [amount]. Confirm your bank details to receive it: [fake link]
What the scammer wants
To collect your bank account details under the guise of refunding money, then use those details to drain your account or commit identity fraud.
Red flags in the message
- Text arrives unexpectedly claiming you are owed a refund
- Link does not match your energy supplier's official website
- Asks you to enter or 'confirm' bank account details
- Short deadline to claim the refund
- You have not recently requested a refund or switched supplier
A safe response
Log into your energy supplier account directly via their official app or website to check for any genuine credit. Never click the link in the text.
What not to send
- Bank account or sort code details
- Card numbers
- Online banking passwords
What to do if you already replied
- Contact your bank immediately if you entered payment details
- Report the text to your energy supplier and national fraud line
- Forward the text to your mobile carrier's spam reporting number
Evidence to preserve
- Screenshot the full message or call details
- Note the sender number, email, or profile
- Save any links (without clicking) and payment details
- Record dates and times
Frequently asked questions
How do I know if I'm actually owed a refund from my energy supplier?
Log into your energy account directly through the supplier's official app or website, not through the text link, and check your billing history and balance yourself. Genuine refunds are usually visible there or communicated through official account correspondence, not an unsolicited text with a payment link.
I entered my bank details on the linked page — what should I do now?
Contact your bank immediately to explain what happened, as they can watch for suspicious activity, help set up additional account protections, and advise whether changing your account details is warranted. Monitor your statements closely for unfamiliar transactions over the following weeks.
Why would they need my bank details just to give me a refund?
A genuine refund from a company you already pay is typically issued back to the same payment method already on file, without needing you to re-enter full bank details on an external page. Needing to provide sensitive account information to 'receive' money is itself a red flag.
Should I reply to the text asking for more information?
No — replying confirms your number is active and can lead to further scam attempts or a scripted response designed to reassure you. Delete the text and check any real refund status only through the supplier's official channels.