Smart Meter Scam Call UK: How to Spot and Avoid Energy Company Impostors
Scammers are calling UK homes pretending to install or check smart meters — but they're after your money and access to your property.
What is this scam?
The smart meter scam call is a fraud where criminals phone UK residents pretending to work for their energy supplier (British Gas, EDF, SSE, Octopus Energy, etc.). They claim you need an urgent smart meter installation, a mandatory inspection, or that your meter is faulty and poses a safety risk. The scammer may use spoofed caller ID to make the call appear to come from your real energy company. Their goal is either to trick you into inviting them to your home to rob you or access your property, or to extract sensitive information like your bank details, meter reading, or account number over the phone. Some variants combine the call with a follow-up email or SMS that looks official. The scam preys on the fact that smart meter rollouts are genuine and ongoing across the UK, making the story seem plausible to many people.
Warning signs to look for
- They pressure you to act immediately or claim there's an emergency with your meter or safety.
- They ask you to confirm personal details like full name, date of birth, address, or bank account information over the phone.
- They claim you're entitled to a free smart meter upgrade and need payment details to process it.
- They ask you to step outside to check your meter or provide unusual meter readings before they visit.
- They offer to send an engineer immediately without you booking an appointment through your actual supplier's website or phone line.
- They request access to your home without providing a valid appointment reference number you can verify independently.
- They ask you to download an app, click a link in a text, or visit a website to 'confirm your details' or 'book the visit'.
- The caller cannot answer basic questions about your account that your real supplier would know (your plan type, current charges, or billing address).
How this scam works step by step
The scam typically begins with a cold call to your landline or mobile. The caller claims to be from your energy company and mentions a smart meter installation or urgent safety check. They use false caller ID spoofing so the call appears to come from your supplier's real number (or a convincing fake). The scammer creates urgency by suggesting your meter is faulty, poses a fire risk, or that you're entitled to a free upgrade but the slot is closing today. If you engage, they may ask you to confirm your full name, date of birth, address, and sometimes bank details to 'process the visit' or 'check your eligibility'. Some variants ask you to go outside and read your meter, or to provide access codes or PINs. If you agree to a home visit, they arrange a time when an accomplice arrives at your door posing as an engineer — they may rob you, steal valuables, or attempt to gain access to your property for burglary. Alternatively, the scammer uses the personal and financial information extracted over the phone to make fraudulent purchases, apply for credit in your name, or drain your bank account. The whole interaction may also be followed by a phishing email or SMS that looks like a genuine appointment confirmation, designed to trick you into clicking a malicious link.
How to verify if it is genuine
If you receive a call claiming to be from your energy company, hang up immediately and call your supplier back using the phone number on your latest bill or their official website — never use a number the caller gives you. Real energy companies will never ask you to confirm sensitive information like your full bank details or PIN over the phone during an unsolicited call. You can also check your supplier's website or app to see if an appointment has been booked under your account; legitimate visits are scheduled in advance and visible there. Contact your energy supplier directly using a verified number and ask if they have an appointment listed for you — if not, the call was a scam. For further guidance on how to verify whether a caller is genuine, see our guide on /guides/isp-impersonation-scam-bt-sky-virgin-media/ which covers similar caller ID spoofing tactics. Never click links in texts or emails that claim to be from your energy company; instead, go directly to their official website by typing the address yourself. If you're unsure whether a number is genuine, use the energy company's official app or website to look up their contact details.
What to do if you have already interacted
If you've already given out information during the call, act quickly depending on what you disclosed. If you provided your full bank details, account number, or sort code, contact your bank immediately by calling the number on the back of your card or your online banking app — do not use any number the scammer provided. Ask your bank to freeze your accounts and monitor them for fraudulent activity; they may also reverse transactions if money has been taken. If you shared your date of birth, full name, and address (but not financial details), contact the fraud team at Action Fraud or call 0300 123 2040. Also contact your energy supplier directly to alert them that your details have been compromised, and ask them to flag your account against potential fraudulent applications for new services. If a visit was arranged and you're concerned the scammer knows your home address, consider notifying your local police force (use their non-emergency number, 101). Change your passwords for any online accounts, especially email and online banking. Do not open any follow-up emails or click any links from 'appointment confirmations' — forward these to your supplier's fraud team instead. Check your credit report with Experian, Equifax, or TransUnion for any fraudulent accounts opened in your name.
Reporting this scam in the UK
Report smart meter scam calls to Action Fraud, the UK's official fraud reporting service, by calling 0300 123 2040 (lines open Monday to Friday, 8am to 8pm) or by visiting their website at actionfraud.police.uk. Provide them with the phone number you called from (if you can see it), the time and date of the call, and any details about what was said. If you received a phishing email or SMS as part of the scam, forward the SMS to 7726 (a free service) and email any suspicious emails to the NCSC Suspicious Email Reporting Service at report@phishing.gov.uk. Contact your energy supplier's fraud team directly as well — they need to know that their name and number are being spoofed, and they can add a flag to your account. You can also report the scam to Citizens Advice's consumer helpline on 0808 223 1133 for additional support and guidance. Save any evidence of the scam (call logs, text messages, emails) and keep a record of the date, time, and details you report it to each organisation — you may need this information later.
Frequently asked questions
Is my energy company legitimate, or do they always scam people with smart meter calls?
Your real energy supplier is legitimate and regulated by Ofgem. However, scammers impersonate genuine energy companies because people trust them. Real smart meter installations do happen, but your supplier will never cold-call you demanding immediate access or payment — they book appointments through their official website or verified phone line, and they never ask for bank details over an unsolicited call. Always verify by hanging up and calling your supplier directly using the number on your bill.
What should I do if I've already sent money to the scammer?
Contact your bank immediately using the number on your card or app and tell them you've been scammed. Ask them to cancel any pending transfers and freeze your account. Your bank may be able to recover the money if it was sent via bank transfer, depending on how quickly you report it. Report the fraud to Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040, and file a report with your police force using 101. Keep a record of all the information you gave and the reference numbers for your reports.
What if someone claiming to be from my energy company arrives at my door after calling?
Do not let them in. Genuine engineers always have a valid appointment visible on your supplier's system that you can check independently before they arrive. Ask for their ID badge and the appointment reference number, then call your energy company's main number (from your bill) to verify — if they're genuine, they'll be in the system; if not, they're a scammer. If you feel unsafe, do not engage further and call 999 if you're being threatened.
How do I report a smart meter scam call in the UK?
Report it to Action Fraud by calling 0300 123 2040 (Monday–Friday, 8am–8pm) or visiting actionfraud.police.uk. If you received a phishing text, forward it to 7726. If there was a scam email, report it to report@phishing.gov.uk. Also contact your energy supplier's fraud team directly and call Citizens Advice on 0808 223 1133 if you need additional support.