News

Trading Standards officers are urging people to be on the alert for scams linked to the cost-of-living crisis and energy bills. The warning follows a significant rise in reports of energy scams nationally.

And with growing concern about energy bills, they want to avoid more people falling victim to scammers this autumn and winter.

You do not need to do anything, so are advised to ignore any messages about energy rebates.

Trading Standards are warning of:

• scam energy rebate text messages
• energy tariff mis-selling by doorstep sellers
• loan sharks preying on the most vulnerable affected by the cost-of-living crisis.

They stress that the Energy Bill Discount for households of £400 this winter will be taken off energy bills over the next six months.

Households will see a discount of £66 applied to their energy bills in October and November, rising to £67 each month from December through to March 2023.

Anyone with a domestic electricity meter point paying for their energy via standard credit, payment card and direct debit will receive an automatic deduction to bills, totalling £400. 

Residents with prepayment meters will be provided with energy bill discount vouchers from the first week of each month. These will be sent to your registered contact details via SMS text, email or post, and can be redeemed when topping-up your payments.

Only deal directly with your energy company using their published phone numbers and email addresses.