Action Fraud has warned of an energy rebate scam email
(Picture: Brett Jordan/Unsplash)Action Fraud issued a warning of a new scam that claims to be offering energy rebates from the independent energy regulator Ofgem.
The scam email claims that the recipient is due an energy rebate payment as part of a government scheme.
It urges the recipient to follow a link to apply for the rebate, but the link actually leads to a website that aims to steal their personal and financial information.
Between August 5 and August 22, more than 1,500 scam emails were reported to the Suspicious Email Reporting Service.
Detective chief inspector Hayley King, from the City of London Police, said: “It is shameful that in a time of financial hardship, criminals are targeting members of the public by claiming they are entitled to receiving rebates and refunds.
“If an email is genuine, the company will never push you into handing over your details. Always take a moment to consider if the request you have received is genuine.
“We would always urge people to follow the Take Five to Stop Fraud advice and think carefully before giving out their personal and financial details.”
An Ofgem spokesperson said: “Protecting consumers is our top priority and it is alarming that vulnerable customers are being preyed upon in this way when people are already struggling so much.
“That’s why, as energy regulator, on top of issuing our own warnings and advice, we have asked all energy suppliers to ensure clear and up-to-date information on scams is easily accessible on their websites.”
They added: “We take these attempts to exploit consumers very seriously and work with the National Cyber Security Centre to prevent these malicious attacks. If people are unsure if something is a scam they should pause, check and don’t let callers push you into anything.
“Genuine organisations won’t mind you calling back; only scammers apply pressure and insist you hand over details immediately. If you have any doubts about a message, consumers should contact the organisation directly and not use the numbers or address in the message – use the details from their official website.”
