Doorstep scam offering discounted pre-payment energy meter top-ups

What is this scam?

Doorstep fraudsters are targeting homes with pre-payment energy meters, offering to top up the meter for significantly less than face value — for example, a £50 top-up in exchange for £25 cash. The fraudster either takes the cash and applies no credit at all, or loads stolen and fraudulently obtained top-up codes that energy suppliers later cancel, leaving the householder out of pocket with no energy credit. Action Fraud warns that no legitimate energy company sends representatives to offer discounted top-ups at the door.

Example scam message

Red flags to look out for

• No energy company sends doorstep representatives to offer discounted top-ups — this is always a scam.
• Handing over your meter key, top-up card, or cash to a stranger at the door gives them everything they need to defraud you.
• High-pressure 'today only' urgency is a hallmark of doorstep fraud.
• Even if credit appears initially, stolen codes are cancelled by suppliers — sometimes days later.

What to do if you receive this

1. Do not hand over cash, your meter key, or top-up card to any unsolicited caller.
2. Call your energy supplier directly on the number on your bill to verify whether any doorstep scheme exists — it won't.
3. If you feel threatened or intimidated, call 999.
4. Report doorstep fraud to Action Fraud at actionfraud.police.uk or your local Trading Standards office.