Medium riskOnline Shopping

Energy-Saving Device Scam

In this scam, a cheap plug-in 'energy saving' or 'power saver' device is advertised with claims it slashes electricity bills, but it does nothing useful and may be unsafe, taking your money and card details.

Quick verdict

Risk level
Medium risk
Scam type
Fake product (bogus claims)
Main red flag
A cheap plug-in device claiming to dramatically cut your energy bills.
What to do first
Be sceptical of bold savings claims; such devices do not work as advertised.

How this scam works

In this scam, a cheap plug-in 'energy saving' or 'power saver' device is advertised with claims it slashes electricity bills, but it does nothing useful and may be unsafe, taking your money and card details.

Online shopping scams use fake stores, unbelievable deals, and counterfeit or never-delivered goods to take your money and card details. Fake sites often surface through ads and social media and pressure you with limited-time offers.

In short, the giveaway is usually simple: A cheap plug-in device claiming to dramatically cut your energy bills. Be sceptical of bold savings claims; such devices do not work as advertised.

Scammers rotate tactics constantly, the same operation may also run the Solar Panel Scam and the Fake Online Store Scam. See the full Online Shopping Scams guides hub, or test a suspicious message with the scam checker.

How to spot this scam

  • Claims of dramatic energy bill cuts from a plug-in device
  • Pressure citing limited stock
  • An unverifiable seller and no real evidence
  • Social media ads driving urgency
  • Card details requested on an unverified site

What the message looks like

Example pattern, not a real report
Example pattern: 'Cut your electricity bill by 50% with this plug-in power saver! Limited stock, order now.'

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: A cheap plug-in device claiming to dramatically cut your energy bills.

The scale of it

Top category
online shopping is one of the most-reported fraud categories to the FTC
Source: US Federal Trade Commission
$1.4B
reported lost to fraud that started on social media in 2023, where many fake shops advertise
Source: US Federal Trade Commission

How to protect yourself

  • Be sceptical of bold energy-saving claims
  • Research independent reviews and evidence
  • Buy from reputable retailers and pay by a disputable method
  • Report misleading products and ads

Already responded? Do this now

  • If you paid, contact your bank to watch for or block charges
  • Do not use a device that seems unsafe
  • Keep the ad and order as evidence
  • Report the seller and ad to the platform

Mistakes to avoid

  • Do not trust dramatic energy-saving claims
  • Do not buy from unverifiable sellers
  • Do not use potentially unsafe devices

Related scams to know

Medium risk Online Shopping

Solar Panel Scam

In this scam, solar panel or home energy sellers use door-to-door or online pitches with inflated savings claims, fake grants, and high pressure, taking deposits for systems that underperform or are never installed.

Created by Scam or Safe Editorial Team
High risk Online Shopping

Fake Online Store Scam

This scam sets up a convincing but fake store with very low prices, takes payment, and delivers nothing, a counterfeit, or a cheap substitute.

Created by Scam or Safe Editorial Team
Medium risk Online Shopping

Social Media Shopping Ad Scam

This scam uses eye-catching, heavily discounted product ads in social media feeds to lure you to fake or dishonest online stores that take your payment and deliver nothing, or send a cheap counterfeit instead.

Created by Scam or Safe Editorial Team

Common questions

Do plug-in energy savers work?
Devices claiming to slash your bills by simply plugging in do not work as advertised, and some are unsafe. Treat such claims as a scam.
How can I genuinely save energy?
Through reputable efficiency measures and verified products, not cheap plug-in 'savers' sold with bold claims and urgency.
I bought one. What now?
Contact your bank if you want to dispute the charge, avoid using an unsafe device, keep your evidence, and report the seller and ad.
Why are these heavily advertised?
Rising energy costs make savings claims appealing, which scammers exploit with cheap, useless devices and urgent ads.

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.