How to spot and avoid eco-scams

12 November 2025

Don’t let scammers take advantage of your good intentions. Here’s how to protect yourself, stay informed, and find genuine ways to make your home more energy efficient.

Ever had an unsolicited phone call from your ‘local energy advisor’? Seen social media adverts for FREE solar panels and batteries (just enter your personal details to check if you’re eligible)?

And if you already have solar panels, companies may in touch to insist your inverter needs changing. According to Action Fraud, a doorstep electricity meter credit scam has claimed over 188,000 victims. These scams often target people who may be more vulnerable or less confident with technology.

So, how can you avoid becoming a victim yourself? And how can you improve your home’s eco-credentials, reduce energy bills and ‘do the right thing’ in a safe way?

Learn to spot a scam. Be wary of:

Online adverts, emails, cold calls, unsolicited leaflets.

Pressure to make a decision, people using high-pressure sales techniques like creating a false sense of urgency (e.g. ‘you need to do x before the grant runs out TOMORROW’).

Offers that seem too good to be true – sadly, they probably area, though there are some great opportunities you can find out about independently.

Commons scams:

Scam	How to stay safe
Unsolicited call from your ‘local energy advisor’, who will ask for personal details and a small fee.	There is no network of local energy advisors, and organisations offering legitimate support do not cold call – you contact them.
Offers of free technology (solar, batteries, heat pumps) thanks to government grants – including adverts which use official logos.	Government grants do exist for eligible households, and you should check your eligibility and then identify a reputable installer independently (links below).
Unsolicited offer of a free health check for solar panels/battery/heat pump.	If you suspect your kit is not working properly, get in touch with the company that originally installed it, or another reputable installer. Do not accept an unsolicited free health check as it may not be legitimate and unlikely to really be free.
Unsolicited contact saying you need a voltage optimiser for your solar panels.	Not all arrays need a voltage optimiser, as it depends on several factors. Again, discuss this with a reputable installer if you want to check if you need one.
Unsolicited contact claiming your inverter needs changing	Inverters do need changing if they break, but only if they break. If your solar array has stopped working, contact the original or another reputable installer.
A company claims that your solar panels are a potential fire risk or that a fire switch replacement is needed because the law has changed.	This is untrue, so should be ignored.

What to do if someone if you think someone is trying to scam you

Contact Citizens Advice: www.citizensadvice.org.uk/consumer/scams/get-help-with-online-scams

Report suspicious emails: report@phishing.gov.uk

If you’ve shared your bank details or parted with money, contact your bank and Action Fraud immediately.

Want solar / a battery / a heat pump, or to find out what financial support might be available?

Here’s where to find help you can trust:

Never give your details to a cold caller or in response to online adverts.

Do your research and get trusted advice. Find an approved installer – get recommendations if you can, and check any installer is part of a certified scheme e.g. Trustmark, MCS. Seek multiple quotes.

Check what funding is available and if you are eligible. You can do this by contacting Better Housing Better Health on 0800 107 0044 www.bhbh.org.uk or checking Oxfordshire County Council’s Retrofit website – link below.

Invest in the Community Energy Fund, now open.