The Government has condemned 'disgusting' scam emails that are targeting UK households seeking energy bills support. Scammers are impersonating the Government, claiming recipients are eligible for a £400 discount under the Energy Bills Support Scheme (EBSS). The emails ask for personal and financial details, including name, address, and debit or credit card information.
The EBSS provides a £400 discount to every household in England, Scotland, and Wales, while Northern Ireland households receive a £600 payment through a separate scheme. The support was introduced in May last year following the surge in wholesale energy costs after Russia's invasion of Ukraine. However, the Government stressed that most households do not need to apply, as the discount is applied automatically to electricity bills or via credit or vouchers for prepayment meter customers.
A spokesperson for the Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy (BEIS) said: 'It is disgusting that scammers seek to rip off people at a time when they are simply trying to get the Government support they’re entitled to.' They urged consumers to stay alert and report suspected scams. More than three quarters of all EBSS vouchers have been redeemed, with £1.7 million used in January alone, bringing total support to £530 million.
The Government is working to track down scammers and advised anyone who receives suspicious emails to forward them to report@phishing.gov.uk and to Action Fraud. Cyber criminals are described as 'opportunistic', using issues like rising energy bills to trick people into sharing financial or personal details.
