In September, for  customers that did not benefit from the Ofgem price cap, the government announced a new six-month support scheme for English, Scottish and Welsh businesses and non-domestic energy users (including charities and public sector organisations like schools). 

The scheme provides energy bill relief for businesses and is being applied to energy usage initially between 1 October 2022 and 31 March 2023. There is a similar scheme for Northern Ireland, providing a comparable level of support. 

However, scammers are keen to cash in on the cost-of-living crisis, which means government support schemes are being exploited by fraudsters for financial gain. Andrew May, from the bank’s Fraud Prevention team says “We continue to see fraudsters exploiting what is going on around us in the UK, particularly headline news, in an attempt to draw businesses into scams”.

If you get an email, text message or phone call from someone asking for your bank details in relation to one of the energy bill relief schemes, it could be a scam. Before you fall victim, just remember: 

• Your energy bill relief scheme discount is automatic – suppliers will apply reductions to the bills of all eligible non-domestic customers, so there’s no need for you to provide your bank details to receive the discount.
• Ofgem, your bank, or any other official source will never ask you to supply personal or business information via email or a text message.
• If you receive a scam email or text message, do not click on the link or enter any personal or business information.
• If you believe an action needs to be taken following receipt of a message, go directly to your provider via their website or contact number rather than using anything on the message itself.

Phishing messages are being sent at a time when vulnerable business owners are expecting to receive authentic information about support with energy bills. If you suspect you have received a scam email, text message or phone call, report it to Action Fraud, the reporting centre for fraud and cybercrime in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. In Scotland, contact Police Scotland on 101.