More than four-fifths (83 per cent) of British adults have received a scam text, email or phone call so far this year, according to a new poll of 2,000 people. Those targeted received an average of 19 scam communications.
Scammers target energy bill concerns
With winter approaching, fraudsters are exploiting worries about energy costs. Sixteen per cent of people say they have already received a scam message claiming they must act to receive government help with energy bills, including messages focused on the Winter Fuel Payment (15 per cent) or Warm Home Discount (14 per cent).
The research also shows the impact of scams. Fifteen per cent of Brits clicked a link in response to a communication they later discovered or suspected was a scam, while 13 per cent replied and 9 per cent shared personal information. Among those who took any action, over a third (34 per cent) lost money.
Warm Home Discount and smart meters
The Warm Home Discount is a one-off £150 discount on electricity bills for eligible households. Most receive it automatically, though some people in Scotland may need to apply through their energy supplier. Unexpected messages asking for a link click, fee payment or personal or bank details to claim the discount should be treated with caution.
The research, commissioned by Smart Energy GB, found that over half (58 per cent) of people would prefer energy bill support to be credited directly to their energy account or meter, rather than receiving a voucher to redeem.
Consumer champion Dom Littlewood has joined forces with Smart Energy GB. He said: “Scams are getting more convincing every day, especially now that AI can be used to create very realistic messages and calls. The best defence is to always pause before you reply.
“Do not use the links, phone numbers or contact details included in a suspicious message. If you get a message about the Warm Home Discount, or anything else that demands urgency, go directly to GOV.UK or the organisation’s official website to check the information. If you are still uncertain, show the message to a friend, neighbour or family member, as they may spot a warning sign you have missed.
“For people with non-smart prepayment meters, the Warm Home Discount may be provided through a voucher which you'll need to redeem manually. If you have a smart prepay meter, support can be credited directly to the meter, which helps avoid the inconvenience of redeeming a voucher. You can also top up your credit from the comfort of your home.”
Impersonation and reporting habits
Scammers are also using the names of trusted organisations. Nearly a third (29 per cent) of people have been targeted by someone claiming to represent a bank, financial institution or HMRC. A fifth (19 per cent) have been targeted by someone impersonating an energy or utility company.
Seven in 10 (71 per cent) believe scams are becoming harder to spot because messages and calls can be convincingly generated using AI. Four in 10 (39 per cent) think they have received more scam messages in 2026 than at this time last year.
Phone calls are the most common contact method, experienced by 68 per cent of those surveyed, ahead of text messages (54 per cent), emails (52 per cent) and messaging apps (23 per cent). Among those who received a scam communication this year, nearly half (45 per cent) say an unknown or suspicious number or address alerted them, while 28 per cent noticed a suspicious link or spelling or grammatical errors.
Nearly two-thirds (64 per cent) think it is likely they or someone they know will be targeted this winter, while just under half (48 per cent) are worried they may fall victim. Despite this, only a third (32 per cent) regularly report suspected scam messages, with a fifth (20 per cent) unaware of how to report them.
How to stay safe and report scams
People can check eligibility for the Warm Home Discount on the GOV.UK website. The scheme runs from the end of October to March, and the discount may be applied at any time in this period.
Dom Littlewood’s tips include pausing before replying, checking independently using official contact details, not trusting appearances alone, understanding how energy support schemes work, upgrading to a smart prepay meter, and reporting scam messages. On most phone networks, scam texts can be forwarded to 7726 (SPAM on the keypad) for free. If money has been lost, contact the bank immediately. People in England, Wales and Northern Ireland can report fraud through Report Fraud, while people in Scotland should contact Police Scotland on 101.
