Smart Meter Scam Calls UK: What Genuine Energy Contacts Look Like
Scammers are calling UK homes pretending to install or check smart meters — but they're after your money and access to your property.
Why smart meter calls make convincing scams
The UK has been rolling out smart meters since 2011, and genuine installations are still taking place across the country. This is what makes smart meter impersonation calls so effective — callers sound plausible because the real programme exists, your supplier might legitimately be in touch about a meter, and energy topics carry an implied urgency around bills and safety.
Scammers impersonate named UK suppliers — British Gas, EDF, Octopus Energy, OVO, Scottish Power, and others. They may have your postcode, surname, or partial account reference from a data breach, which they use to add credibility. The fact that they know some of your details does not mean they are from your actual supplier.
The three main variants: call, doorstep, and safety hazard
The phone call for bank details. The caller says your meter needs replacing under a government scheme and there is a small compliance or installation fee, or they claim you have been overcharged and need your account number to process a refund. Real energy suppliers do not charge for smart meter installations and do not call asking for bank details unprompted.
The doorstep engineer. Someone arrives without a scheduled appointment, wearing a high-vis vest and carrying a clipboard, claiming to install or inspect your meter. Genuine engineers always have a confirmed appointment visible on your supplier's system — you can call your supplier to check before letting anyone further than the doorstep.
The safety hazard call. The caller claims your current meter is faulty and poses a fire or gas risk, pressuring you to act immediately. If you have a genuine concern about a gas emergency, call the National Gas Emergency Service on 0800 111 999 using the number you look up yourself — not any number given to you by the caller. For electricity emergencies, call 105.
What real smart meter communications actually look like
Your energy supplier should be able to confirm any offer or appointment through its official channels — letter, email, or your online account. Appointments are scheduled in advance and you can verify any appointment by calling your supplier on the number on your bill or their official website.
The engineer will carry an identification card with their name, photo, and the supplier's logo. You are entitled to ask to see this before opening the door further. A genuine engineer will present ID without being asked and will not object to you taking time to check it.
Many suppliers also offer a customer password scheme: you register a word through your online account, and any engineer visiting your home will state that word at the door before you open it. If they do not know it, you do not let them in. Contact your supplier to ask if this is available and set one up if so.
The doorstep check: three steps before you let anyone in
1. Ask for the engineer's ID card and check the name, photo, and company logo. Do not be rushed — take as long as you need. A genuine engineer will wait.
2. Call your supplier directly using the number on your bill or your supplier's official website — not any number the engineer gives you. Ask whether an engineer is scheduled to visit your address today. If your supplier cannot confirm the appointment, do not let the person in.
3. Check your own records: the letter, email, or text you received when the appointment was booked. If you have no record of any appointment having been made, treat the visit as suspicious. You are entitled to refuse entry and reschedule. A real engineer will understand; a fraudster will not.
If you have already given details or let someone in
If you gave bank details over the phone: call your bank immediately using the number on the back of your card and report it as fraud. Your bank can monitor for fraudulent transactions and may be able to freeze the account before it is misused.
If someone was admitted to your home: call your energy supplier to report the visit and confirm your meter has not been tampered with. Check your bank statements and direct debits over the following weeks for any unauthorised changes.
For billing disputes caused by the scam: Citizens Advice (0808 223 1133) can help if you cannot resolve it directly with your supplier.
Report to Action Fraud at actionfraud.police.uk or on 0300 123 2040. If someone entered your home under false pretences, also report it to the police on 101.
Frequently asked questions
My energy supplier just called saying my smart meter is overdue for replacement — is this legitimate?
Possibly, but do not accept anything at face value during an unsolicited call. Tell the caller you will call your supplier back, hang up, and redial using the number on your bill or your supplier's official website. If the call was genuine, your supplier will have a record of it and the next steps will be the same. If no record exists, you have just avoided a scam with no downside.
What is the customer password scheme and how do I set one up?
The customer password scheme lets you register a secret word with your energy supplier. Any engineer visiting your home will state this word at the door before you open it fully; if they cannot state it, you can safely refuse entry. Not all suppliers offer this — contact your supplier to ask. If it is available, setting one up is straightforward and costs nothing.
I let someone into my home to inspect my meter and I am now worried. What should I do?
Call your energy supplier immediately and report that an individual accessed your meter, asking whether they have any record of an authorised visit. Check your online account for any changes to your direct debit amount or contact details. If you believe you were robbed or the visitor was fraudulent, call the police on 101. Also report to Action Fraud at actionfraud.police.uk.
The caller said my smart meter is causing a fire or gas risk — should I be worried?
If you have a genuine concern about a gas emergency — a smell of gas, a visibly damaged meter — call the National Gas Emergency Service on 0800 111 999 using the number you have looked up yourself. For an electricity emergency, call 105. Do not use any number provided by the person who called you. If the only source of the claimed emergency is an unsolicited caller, treat it as a scam and hang up.
How do I report a smart meter scam call in the UK?
Report to Action Fraud at actionfraud.police.uk or on 0300 123 2040. If you received a suspicious text about your meter, forward it to 7726. If someone visited your home without authorisation, also report it to the police on 101. Citizens Advice (0808 223 1133) can assist if you need help resolving any billing issues that resulted from the scam.