Protecting Your Business From Energy Fraud

Based on Guidance from Ofgem

Reports of scam calls and fraudulent communications are becoming more prevalent, and with the rise of AI, attempts to breach security are increasingly sophisticated. The consequences of getting caught out by energy fraud can be serious – including but not limited to financial loss and / or reputational damage. To minimise these risks, it’s worth taking a moment to review your communications and the red flags to look out for.  

Here, we have compiled a few top tips to help you protect your business.

Be alert to fraudulent activity:

Scammers claiming to be calling from your current supplier often ask you to confirm a large number of sensitive details such as your address, account number, or annual usage. Remember: your current supplier already has this information and should never need to ask for this information. Providing all of your details to a random caller could well be giving a scammer everything they need to compromise your business.

Fraudulent calls may also involve high-pressure tactics for example pushing you to agree to contract terms or supply agreements that don’t suit your needs. A legitimate caller should never make you feel unduly rushed into a decision. If you’re unsure about the identity of the caller or something just doesn’t feel right about their behaviour, hang up and contact your existing supplier’s contract manager or customer support contact using the relevant official channels available via their website, bills or other documentation you may have received. 

To verify a caller’s identity, you can also ask them to send an email – if they are genuine, they should be able to do this promptly and via an official company email address. Watch out for emails being sent from generic addresses like @gmail.com or @outlook.com – these are strong indicators of a scam!

Fraudsters often use small tricks to make fake emails look legitimate. One common tactic is adding or removing letters from the domain – for example, @sefe-energys.com instead of @sefe-energy.com or @ssefe.eu rather than @sefe.eu. These minor changes can be easy to miss, so take a moment to check carefully before responding. 

Authentic communications from reputable energy suppliers will always use clear, professional branding. If a logo looks blurry, stretched, or distorted, it could be a sign of a fake email or letter.

When in doubt, contact your existing supplier’s contract manager or customer support contact using the relevant contact methods available via their website, bills or other documentation you may have received. 

Due diligence for contracting:

Energy contracts are not always front of mind for businesses operating in an environment of competing priorities and pressures. However, it’s important to take precautions; overlooking the details can lead to expensive mistakes.

Never agree to or sign anything you don’t fully understand. Contracts can be complex, and it can be tempting to say yes to a deal that sounds promising in the heat of the moment, but verbal agreements made over the phone can be legally binding. Please bear in mind that at SEFE Energy, we do require a signed contract for agreements to be considered legally binding. If something isn’t clear, ask questions or request written confirmation before committing.  

It is also strongly advisable to check for penalties before breaking an existing contract. Even if your current agreement hasn’t gone live yet, early termination fees can apply, and you will be liable to pay them if you have signed or verbally agreed to a contract. Understanding these costs upfront will help you make informed decisions. 

If you’re using a broker or Third Party Intermediary (TPI), review their commission structure and any additional fees, including any charges for early termination. Also, clarify what activities they’ll carry out on your behalf and ensure you’re comfortable with the permissions you grant. 

Finally, if you are considering starting a new supply agreement, make sure your contract is with a licensed energy supplier. You can verify this by checking Ofgem’s official lists of licensed electricity and gas suppliers. 

Staying vigilant when it matters most:

When it comes to managing your energy account, vigilance is key. If you receive a call or email asking you to update or change bank details, do not act immediately. Instead, confirm the request by contacting your existing suppliers contract manager or customer support contact. 

Scammers and fraudsters often target businesses during high-pressure moments, such as when you’re moving premises or approaching your contract renewal date. These are times when you may already be juggling multiple tasks, making it easier for them to slip through unnoticed. Take extra care during these periods and double-check any unexpected calls or offers. 

At SEFE Energy, we take any phishing attempts very seriously. If you receive any email, telephone or SMS communications claiming to be from us that you feel are suspicious, please report it to enquiries@sefe-energy.com or talk to our customer service team as soon as possible so that we can log and investigate the issue. For more information about our approach to suspicious communications, check our dedicated page here.