Medium riskUtility & Energy Scams

Green Energy Grant Scam

In this scam, callers, ads, or doorstep agents offer fake government green energy grants for insulation, solar panels, or heat pumps, harvesting personal details, taking deposits, or signing you up for poor-value work.

Quick verdict

Risk level
Medium risk
Scam type
Fake scheme (utility)
Main red flag
An unsolicited 'green grant' offer needing your details or a deposit now.
What to do first
Verify any scheme on the official government site before sharing anything.

What this scam usually looks like

In this scam, callers, ads, or doorstep agents offer fake government green energy grants for insulation, solar panels, or heat pumps, harvesting personal details, taking deposits, or signing you up for poor-value work.

Example message pattern

Example pattern — not a real report
Example pattern: 'You qualify for a free government green grant for insulation! Confirm your details and book your survey before the scheme closes.'

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.

Red flags to watch for

  • An unsolicited grant offer for energy improvements
  • Requests for personal details or a deposit
  • Pressure that the scheme is 'closing soon'
  • Doorstep or cold-call agents you cannot verify
  • Vague details about the official scheme

What to do

  • Verify schemes on the official government website
  • Do not share details or pay deposits to cold callers
  • Get independent quotes for any genuine work
  • Report fake grant offers and pushy agents

If you already clicked or replied

  • Stop and cancel within any cooling-off period
  • Contact your bank if you paid a deposit
  • Watch for misuse of the details you shared
  • Verify the scheme and report the offer

What not to do

  • Do not pay deposits to unsolicited grant agents
  • Do not share details before verifying the scheme
  • Do not let 'closing soon' pressure rush you

Similar scams

Medium risk Utility & Energy

Boiler Grant Scam

In this scam, calls, ads, or doorstep visits offer free boilers, insulation, or energy grants, then harvest your personal and bank details, charge bogus assessment fees, or push costly, unnecessary work.
Medium risk Business

Fake Business Grant Scam

In this scam, fraudsters offer fake government or foundation business grants, charging application or release fees and harvesting company and bank details for funding that does not exist.
Medium risk Utility & Energy

Energy Supplier Switch Scam

In this scam, doorstep or phone sellers pose as energy 'switching' agents or your supplier, pressuring you to sign up to a fake or worse deal, or to hand over bank and account details.

Frequently asked questions

Are green energy grants real?
Genuine schemes exist, but verify them on the official government website. Unsolicited offers needing your details or a deposit are common scam signs.
An agent said the scheme closes soon. True?
Urgency that a scheme is 'closing' is used to rush you. Check the official site and take time to get independent quotes before committing.
I paid a deposit for grant work. What now?
Cancel within any cooling-off period, contact your bank, watch for misuse of your details, verify the scheme, and report the offer.
How do I access genuine grants?
Apply through the official government scheme, use accredited installers, and get independent quotes rather than trusting cold callers.

Last reviewed: June 2026

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.