Doorstep sellers exploit October energy price cap rise to sell dangerous fake energy-saving devices

What is this scam?

Fraud experts issued warnings on 1 October 2026 — the date of the latest energy price cap increase — about a surge in doorstep sellers falsely claiming to represent energy suppliers or the government's ECO4 scheme, offering supposed energy-saving devices including smart radiator valves, heat pump units, and insulation for hundreds or thousands of pounds. The devices are typically counterfeit, ineffective, or potentially dangerous — Trading Standards and fire services have warned some can cause electric shocks or fires. No energy supplier or government scheme arranges home energy upgrades through unsolicited doorstep visits.

Example scam message

Red flags to look out for

• The message creates urgency — threatening a fine, missed delivery, or account closure.
• Links lead to unofficial domains that don't match the real company's website.
• You weren't expecting this message and can't verify the event it references.
• It asks you to confirm payment details or personal information via a link.
• The sender's number or email address doesn't match the company's official contact.

What to do if you receive this

1. Do not click links or call numbers provided in the message.
2. Contact the organisation directly using details from their official GOV.UK page.
3. Forward the message to 7726 or email report@phishing.gov.uk.
4. Report it to Action Fraud at actionfraud.police.uk.