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Fake energy rebate or council tax refund

A message offers a government energy rebate and asks for your bank details to pay it in.

How this scam works

Whenever the government announces help with bills, fake versions appear within days. The message says you are entitled to an energy rebate, a cost-of-living payment, or a council tax refund, and asks you to "apply" through a link.

The form looks official, often with a gov.uk-style header. It asks for your name, address, date of birth and bank details, supposedly so the money can be paid in.

Real government support is applied automatically through your energy supplier or paid into the account that already receives your benefits or pension. You are never asked to apply by text.

Warning signs

• You are asked to "apply" for a payment the government said was automatic
• The web address is not gov.uk (check carefully: gov-uk-refund.com is not gov.uk)
• Bank details requested to receive money in
• A deadline: "apply before Friday or lose your payment"

What to do

1. Check gov.uk yourself by typing the address in. Never through a link in a message.
2. Ring your energy supplier using the number on your bill.
3. Forward the text to 7726 (free on all UK networks), then delete it.

Last updated 29 September 2026. Source: Action Fraud.