Consumer champion Martin Lewis has issued an urgent warning to UK households about a sophisticated new scam that could cost victims over £1,000. The money-saving expert revealed fraudsters are exploiting the cost-of-living crisis by sending fake energy rebate offers.
How the Scam Works
Criminals are sending convincing text messages pretending to be from energy regulator Ofgem, offering recipients an "energy bill rebate" of up to £1,250. The messages include a link to a professional-looking but entirely fake website designed to steal bank details.
Red Flags to Watch For
- Unsolicited messages about energy bill refunds
- Links to unfamiliar websites
- Requests for bank details or personal information
- Pressure to act quickly
Martin Lewis's Advice
The founder of MoneySavingExpert.com stressed: "Ofgem will never contact you directly about rebates. If you get such a message, it's 100% a scam. Never click links in unexpected texts."
Genuine energy rebates are automatically applied to bills or paid directly into bank accounts that providers already have on record.
What to Do If Targeted
- Don't click any links
- Forward suspicious texts to 7726 (the scam reporting service)
- Report to Action Fraud
- Warn vulnerable friends and relatives
With energy bills remaining high, experts warn scammers will likely intensify these attempts as winter approaches. Stay vigilant and remember - if an offer seems too good to be true, it probably is.
