As fraudsters target households with fake offers of government support, consumer champion Dom Littlewood explains how to stay safe and why smart prepay meters can make receiving the Warm Home Discount simpler
Dom Littlewood shared his tips on how to avoid being scammed
Over four-fifths (83 per cent) of Brits have received a scam text, email or phone call so far this year, according to a new poll of 2,000 British adults, with those targeted receiving an average of 19 scam communications.
With winter approaching, scammers are attempting to exploit concerns around energy bills, with 16 per cent of people saying they have already received a scam text, email or phone call claiming they must take action to receive government help with their energy bills, including specific messages focused on the Winter Fuel Payment (15 per cent) or Warm Home Discount (14 per cent).
The research also reveals the real-world impact of scams. Fifteen per cent of Brits say they clicked a link in response to a communication they later discovered or suspected was a scam, while 13 per cent replied and 9 per cent shared personal information. Among those who took any of the actions measured, over a third (34 per cent) say they lost money as a result.
The Warm Home Discount is a one-off £150 discount on the electricity bills of eligible households. Most eligible households receive the discount automatically, although some people in Scotland may still need to apply through their energy supplier. Unexpected messages asking people to click a link, pay a fee or provide personal or bank details to claim the discount should therefore be treated with caution.
The new research, commissioned by Smart Energy GB, found that over half (58 per cent) of people would prefer energy bill support to be credited directly to their energy account or meter, without requiring them to take any further action, rather than receiving a voucher they need to redeem.
To help households stay safe this winter, consumer champion Dom Littlewood has joined forces with Smart Energy GB. Dom said: “Scams are getting more convincing every day, especially now that AI can be used to create very realistic messages and calls. The best defence is to always pause before you reply.
“Do not use the links, phone numbers or contact details included in a suspicious message. If you get a message about the Warm Home Discount, or anything else that demands urgency, go directly to GOV.UK or the organisation’s official website to check the information. If you are still uncertain, show the message to a friend, neighbour or family member, as they may spot a warning sign you have missed.
“For people with non-smart prepayment meters, the Warm Home Discount may be provided through a voucher which you’ll need to redeem manually. If you have a smart prepay meter, support can be credited directly to the meter, which helps avoid the inconvenience of redeeming a voucher. You can also top up your credit from the comfort of your home.”
Scammers are also exploiting the names of other trusted organisations. Nearly a third (29 per cent) of people say they have been targeted by someone claiming to represent a bank, financial institution or by someone posing as HMRC. A fifth (19 per cent) have been targeted by someone impersonating an energy or utility company.
Seven in 10 (71 per cent) of people believe scams are becoming harder to spot because messages and calls can now be convincingly generated using AI. And four in 10 (39 per cent) think they have received more scam messages in 2026 than they did at this time last year.
Phone calls are the most common way scammers make contact, experienced by 68 per cent of those surveyed, ahead of text messages (54 per cent), emails (52 per cent) and messaging apps (23 per cent).
Among people who have received a scam communication this year, nearly half (45 per cent) say an unknown or suspicious number or address alerted them to the danger, while 28 per cent noticed a suspicious link or spotted spelling or grammatical errors.
Nearly two-thirds (64 per cent) think it is likely that they or someone they know will be targeted by a scam this winter, while just under half (48 per cent) are worried that they or somebody they know may fall victim.
Despite these concerns, only a third (32 per cent) of people say they regularly report suspected scam messages to the relevant authorities, with a fifth (20 per cent) unaware of how to report scam messages.
People can check whether they are eligible for the Warm Home Discount and find out more about the scheme on the Gov.UK website.
The scheme runs from the end of October to March and the discount may be applied at any time in this period.
Dom Littlewood’s top tips to avoid scams this winter:
• Pause and protect your information: If you receive an unexpected message or call, do not click links, download attachments, make a payment or share bank details, passwords, PINs or other personal information. Scammers often create a sense of urgency, so stop and check before taking any action.
• Check independently: Do not use the links, phone numbers or contact details in a suspicious message. Contact the organisation that has messaged you using its official details or website. For the Warm Home Discount, check GOV.UK. If you are still unsure, ask a friend, neighbour or family member to check the message with you.
• Do not trust appearances alone: AI can help scammers create convincing messages, calls and websites with professional language and branding. Treat unexpected requests for money or information with caution, even when they appear genuine.
• Understand how energy support schemes work. Most eligible households receive the Warm Home Discount automatically, although some people in Scotland still need to apply through their supplier. If an unexpected message asks you to click a link, pay a fee or share personal information, check GOV.UK or your supplier’s official website instead.
• Upgrade your prepay meter to a smart meter. Not only will a smart prepay meter ensure you receive support such as the Warm Home Discount automatically, removing any concerns you may have about missing a voucher, it will provide other benefits such as the ability to top up from the comfort of your home.
• If you receive a scam message, report it. On most phone networks, you can forward any scam texts you receive to 7726 (this spells SPAM on your keypad) for free and this can help prevent fraud in the future. If you think you have been scammed or lost money, contact your bank immediately. People in England, Wales and Northern Ireland can report fraud through Report Fraud, while people in Scotland should contact Police Scotland on 101.
