Medium riskText Message

Energy Rebate Scam

This scam claims you are owed an energy bill rebate, refund, or cost-of-living payment from your supplier or government, then links to a fake claim page that harvests your bank or card details.

Quick verdict

Risk level
Medium risk
Scam type
Utility rebate phishing scam
Main red flag
An unexpected message saying you are owed an energy rebate and must claim it through a link.
What to do first
Do not click the link. Check any rebate by logging into your energy account directly or calling the number on your bill.

How this scam works

This scam claims you are owed an energy bill rebate, refund, or cost-of-living payment from your supplier or government, then links to a fake claim page that harvests your bank or card details.

Text-message scams, known as "smishing", reach you directly on your phone where a link is only a tap away and messages feel personal and urgent. They impersonate trusted senders, banks, couriers, government, or even people you know, and depend on you acting before you pause to verify.

In short, the giveaway is usually simple: An unexpected message saying you are owed an energy rebate and must claim it through a link. Do not click the link. Check any rebate by logging into your energy account directly or calling the number on your bill.

Scammers rotate tactics constantly, the same operation may also run the Utility Disconnection Scam and the Fake Refund Email Scam. See the full Text Message Scams guides hub, or test a suspicious message with the scam checker.

How to spot this scam

  • An unexpected rebate or refund you never applied for
  • Pressure to claim quickly before a deadline or expiry
  • A link that does not match your supplier's official website
  • A request for your full bank, sort code, or card details to receive the money
  • Vague wording like 'government energy scheme' without naming your actual supplier

What the message looks like

Example pattern, not a real report
Example pattern: 'GOV ENERGY REBATE: You are eligible for a £150 cost-of-living payment from your supplier. Claim before it expires: [suspicious link]'

This is a fictional, anonymised example used to illustrate the pattern. It is not a verified real message, and any names are used only to show how the scam typically reads.

What gives it away: An unexpected message saying you are owed an energy rebate and must claim it through a link.

The scale of it

$330M
reported lost to text-message scams in the US in 2022, more than double the year before
Source: US Federal Trade Commission
#1
fake bank fraud alerts were the most-reported text scam type in 2022
Source: US Federal Trade Commission

How to protect yourself

  • Do not click the link or enter any banking details
  • Log into your energy account through the official website or app to check for any genuine credit
  • Call your supplier using the number printed on your bill, not one given in the message
  • Delete the message and report it to your provider or national fraud reporting service

Already responded? Do this now

  • Do not enter any further details on the page
  • If you shared bank or card details, contact your bank right away to flag the account
  • Change the password for any account where you reused that login
  • Monitor your statements for unexpected payments or direct debit changes

Mistakes to avoid

  • Do not reply to the message or call back the sender
  • Do not share verification codes sent to your phone
  • Do not provide your bank login to 'verify' the rebate

Related scams to know

High risk Text Message

Utility Disconnection Scam

This scam uses a text or call posing as your electricity, gas, or water company, threatening to cut off service within the hour unless you pay immediately by an unusual method.

Created by Scam or Safe Editorial Team
High risk Email

Fake Refund Email Scam

This scam emails that you are owed a refund and asks you to confirm bank or card details, or to accept a refund that is really designed to steal your money.

Created by Scam or Safe Editorial Team
High risk Government & Tax

Government Grant Scam

This scam uses a message, call, or social media post claiming you qualify for a free government grant, then asks for a processing fee or your bank details to 'release' money that does not actually exist.

Created by Scam or Safe Editorial Team

Common questions

Do energy suppliers send rebates by text with a link?
Genuine rebates or credits usually appear on your bill or in your online account. A text or email pushing you to claim through a link is a common scam pattern, so check your account directly instead.
The message mentions a real government scheme, so is it genuine?
Scammers often borrow the names of real schemes to seem credible. Official payments are normally applied automatically or through verified channels, not via a link asking for your bank details.
Why do they ask for my sort code and card number?
A real refund only needs the account it is being paid into, not your card details. Asking for full banking information is a sign the page is designed to harvest data rather than pay you.
What should I do if I already entered my details?
Contact your bank immediately to protect your account, watch for changes to your direct debits, and report the scam to your national fraud reporting service.

Last reviewed June 2026 · Written & reviewed by the

Disclaimer: This page provides educational information only to help you recognise common scam patterns. It is not legal, financial, cybersecurity, or law enforcement advice, and it does not confirm whether any specific message, company, or person is genuine or fraudulent. When in doubt, contact the official organisation directly and report concerns to your local authorities.