A warning has been issued over a rise in energy related scams as households await a discount to their bills.
On October 1, energy prices will rise with the average yearly household bill hitting £2,500, but every home connected to the grid will receive a £400 discount and issued in monthly instalments.
However, the team behind Money Saving Expert (MSE), founded by Martin Lewis, has raised the alarm over a rise in energy related scams.
READ NEXT- Energy Bills Support Scheme: When will you get the first payment as prices set to soar
MSE have been alerted of texts being sent by an unknown number or 'UK Help', or 'Help Scheme'. These texts are urging people to apply for the energy discount scheme and sharing a link that says bill-uk-gov.com. MSE also share a range of other scam texts claiming to be from local government authorities and the energy regulator Ofgem.
In one example, one text message says: "GOVUK: You are eligible for a discounted energy bill under the Energy Bill Support Scheme. You can apply here https://bill-uk-gov.com."
People receiving these texts are being warned not to click the link or share any personal or sensitive information.
It must be noted that the official government website starts with gov.co.uk and no one needs to apply for the energy discount scheme, it is being applied automatically.
This comes after TSB bank found a 58 per cent increase in “friends and family” scams in July compared with the same month a year earlier. This is where criminals send messages pretending to be from friends or family members who urgently need help paying bills.
Paul Davis, director of fraud prevention at TSB, said: “A fraud loss will be particularly painful for households during these tough economic conditions, so we are urging the public to be extra vigilant to unsolicited contact or online offers that could well be a scam.
“With over half of fraud losses not refunded to victims by other banks, take your time and don’t rush in, no matter how emotive and urgent the request.”
As PA news agency reports, a spokesperson for energy regulator Ofgem said it has recently asked all energy suppliers to ensure clear and up-to-date information on scams is easily accessible on their websites.
The spokesperson said: “It is alarming that vulnerable customers are being preyed upon in this way when people are already struggling so much…
“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.”
READ NEXT-
Top Edinburgh lawyer considers moving to England to pay less tax
Dad ends up in court after offering daughter £5,000 to help with cost of living crisis
Edinburgh tourist's luggage still lost three months after packing 'half her wardrobe'
Inside £10m yacht linked to Michelle Mone as luxury vessel is put up for sale
B&M shoppers praise bargain 'energy saving' clothing as heating bills set to soar
