What are the red flags of this scam?

The Government does not require applications for the main cost-of-living or energy support payments — they are paid automatically to those who qualify • The message asks for your bank sort code, account number, and often full card details — the real Government pays via existing channels and would already have your bank info if you receive benefits • The link is not a gov.uk address — it's a lookalike like 'gov-refund.co.uk', 'energy-rebate-uk.com', or a shortened URL • The message uses urgency ('claim by Friday or your rebate expires') to rush you past normal caution • You're asked for your Council Tax reference number and full postal address — the real Council Tax rebate is applied automatically to your Council Tax bill • The 'form' after the click asks for a small verification fee (£1.50, £2.99) — no Government payment ever requires an upfront fee

What should I do if this happened to me?

Ignore the text or email. Real Government cost-of-living support is paid automatically — you do not need to apply via a link • Check whether you actually qualify at https://www.gov.uk/get-help-energy-bills or https://www.gov.uk/cost-of-living — type the URLs yourself • Forward scam texts to 7726 (free reporting number used by all UK mobile networks) then delete • Forward scam emails to report@phishing.gov.uk (the NCSC's Suspicious Email Reporting Service) then delete • If you already entered bank details on a fake site, call your bank to cancel the card and monitor statements for unauthorised transactions • For genuine energy bill help, contact your supplier directly (number on your last bill) or Citizens Advice on 0808 223 1133 • Report to Report Fraud at https://www.reportfraud.police.uk or call 0300 123 2040.

HIGH government impersonation Last reported: 12 Oct 2026 Share

A text or email says you qualify for a Government energy rebate or cost-of-living payment — just enter your bank details

Q: Is this a scam?

Yes. This is a documented scam pattern. A text or email claims you qualify for a £150-£400 Government "energy rebate", cost-of-living payment, or Warm Home Discount. Click the link, enter bank details, receive payment in days. Real Government support is paid automatically through your energy supplier or benefits — never via a text link.

A text or email claims you qualify for a £150-£400 Government "energy rebate", cost-of-living payment, or Warm Home Discount. Click the link, enter bank details, receive payment in days. Real Government support is paid automatically through your energy supplier or benefits — never via a text link.

Also known as: fake energy rebate text, cost of living payment scam UK, Ofgem impersonation email, Warm Home Discount phishing, Council Tax rebate scam

Already happened to you? Do this in the next few minutes

1 Call your bank or card's fraud line right now. Use the number on the back of your card — not any number from the message or caller. Ask them to stop or reverse the payment and freeze the account.
2 If you paid by gift card, wire, or an app (Zelle, Venmo, Cash App): contact that company immediately and report it as fraud. Acting fast sometimes recovers the money.
3 Report to the FBI at ic3.gov and the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov. The sooner, the better.

What to do right now

1 Ignore the text or email. Real Government cost-of-living support is paid automatically — you do not need to apply via a link
2 Check whether you actually qualify at https://www.gov.uk/get-help-energy-bills or https://www.gov.uk/cost-of-living — type the URLs yourself
3 Forward scam texts to 7726 (free reporting number used by all UK mobile networks) then delete
4 Forward scam emails to [email protected] (the NCSC's Suspicious Email Reporting Service) then delete
5 If you already entered bank details on a fake site, call your bank to cancel the card and monitor statements for unauthorised transactions
6 For genuine energy bill help, contact your supplier directly (number on your last bill) or Citizens Advice on 0808 223 1133
7 Report to Report Fraud at https://www.reportfraud.police.uk or call 0300 123 2040.

Red flags

⚠ The Government does not require applications for the main cost-of-living or energy support payments — they are paid automatically to those who qualify
⚠ The message asks for your bank sort code, account number, and often full card details — the real Government pays via existing channels and would already have your bank info if you receive benefits
⚠ The link is not a gov.uk address — it's a lookalike like 'gov-refund.co.uk', 'energy-rebate-uk.com', or a shortened URL
⚠ The message uses urgency ('claim by Friday or your rebate expires') to rush you past normal caution
⚠ You're asked for your Council Tax reference number and full postal address — the real Council Tax rebate is applied automatically to your Council Tax bill
⚠ The 'form' after the click asks for a small verification fee (£1.50, £2.99) — no Government payment ever requires an upfront fee

Known variants

Fake energy supplier variant: email from British Gas, EDF, Octopus, or E.ON claims an overpayment refund. Threatens account suspension in 24 hours; cloned site harvests login credentials and card details. Sharp increase in fake British Gas refund reports October 2026. Real suppliers credit refunds to balance — never via a web form.

Last seen: 10/12/2026
'Warm Home Discount' variant: message specifically offers the £150 Warm Home Discount to those who don't qualify by benefits eligibility. Real eligibility is checked automatically through your energy supplier and DWP data-share — no application form asks for bank details.

Last seen: 5/20/2026
Winter Fuel Payment clawback scam (153% surge Sep 2026; 25,000+ HMRC referrals): texts, emails, calls claim HMRC needs bank details to process repayment of the £200–£300 payment. Reality: HMRC recovers it via PAYE tax code automatically — no action, no bank details, no link needed.

Last seen: 9/30/2026

Already happened to you? Do this in the next few minutes

What to do right now

Red flags

Known variants

Sources