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Energy rebate scam: Warning as public targeted with fake Ofgem emails

Fraud UK said it had received hundreds of reports of fake emails pretending to be the energy watchdog. (Twitter/FraudUK)
Action Fraud UK said it had received hundreds of reports of fake emails pretending to be the energy watchdog. (Twitter/FraudUK)

Scammers are using fake Ofgem energy rebate emails to steal personal information, a fraud protection agency has warned.

Action Fraud UK said it had received hundreds of reports of fake emails pretending to be the energy watchdog in the past few days.

The correspondence falsely claimed recipients could apply for a £200 energy bill discount and a £250 council tax rebate by clicking on a link.

Action Fraud UK, the national reporting centre for fraud and cybercrime, tweeted: “SCAM WARNING: We received over 750 reports in just four days about these FAKE @ofgem emails.

“The links in the emails lead to websites that are designed to steal your personal and financial details. If you receive one, report it to: Report@phishing.gov.uk.”

Read more: Council tax rebate: How to find out if you're eligible for the £150

Electric bill charges paper form on the table
Ofgem announced the energy price cap was expected to increase by a further £830 to £2,800 in October. (Getty)

Chancellor Rishi Sunak previously announced a package to help with energy costs that included a one-off £200 discount to all energy bill payers that would be recouped by annual payments of £40.

All those in bands A to D council tax will also get a £150 rebate automatically paid into their bank account.

To receive the rebate, customers must contact their council to set up a Direct Debit.

Ofgem chief executive Jonathan Brearley told MPs that the regulator is expecting the energy price cap to increase by a further £830 to £2,800 in October, following an increase to £1,971 in April.

He said this is due to the market coping with “once-in-a-generation” price changes “not seen since the oil crisis of the 1970s”.

Food and fuel prices are also on the rise, causing families to be further hit by the cost of living crisis.

Food inflation reached 7% over the past four weeks, the highest level since May 2009.

Watch: October energy price cap expected to rise to £2,800 – Ofgem

Read more: British Gas and E.On customers could get cheaper energy deals, says Martin Lewis

Sunak is expected to unveil a multibillion-pound plan this week to help people cope with the rising energy prices.

Reports have suggested he plans a new windfall tax on oil and gas firms to help fund support for those who are struggling – an option previously suggested by Labour and some senior Tories.

There has also been speculation the tax could extend to electricity generators.

The government is under intense pressure to act after consumer prices index inflation soared to 9% in the year to April, up from 7% in March, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS).

The rise in CPI was the fastest measured rate since records began in 1989, and the ONS estimates it was the highest since 1982.