EVERY household across Ireland has been issued a major warning to be wary of scammers targeting those trying to claim the new €250 energy credit.
People have been warned to be “very vigilant” after it was confirmed that bogus text messages have claimed that the receiver is eligible for a discount on their bill.
The €250 energy credit, which was confirmed in Budget 2025 on Tuesday, will be handed out in two €125 lump sums before and after January to every household in Ireland.
However, people have been reminded that the bonus payment will automatically be applied as a discount to electricity bills and does not need to be applied for.
Bank of Ireland today confirmed that fraudsters often use topical events that are subject to a lot of media coverage and commentary in order to take advance of people.
And the bank confirmed that they are seeing customers receive an SMS text from scammers pretending to be from Gov.ie and telling them they are eligible for an energy credit.
But BOI warned that this is “just the first step in a scam” designed to get the consumer to hand over their personal banking details.
Nicola Sadlier, Head of Fraud at Bank of Ireland said that scammers are “like chameleons”.
She explained: “They design their scams to blend in with what’s in the news. But like all their criminal activity, this is just another attempt to steal your money.
“There are new fake texts in circulation from ‘GOV IE’ telling consumers they are eligible for a discounted electricity bill.
“These are smishing texts, and when the customer responds, they get a call from the fraudster posing as a bank employee informing them that their debit/credit card, PIN and phone sim card have been compromised.
“The fact that this call is followed by a fraudster calling to the victim’s house to collect the “compromised” card and phone sim card is of particular concern.”
Sadlier warned people to be “extra vigilant” of scammers trying to take advantage of the energy credit boost.
She said: “Fraudsters want your personal information, even if it’s simply your phone number. Do not give it to them.”
HOW DOES IT WORK?
- The consumer receives a text – pretending to be from an official Government source – telling them they are eligible for an energy credit.
- The consumer replies to this and provides their personal contact details.
- The fraudster then calls the consumer and pretends to be from their bank.
- The fraudster informs the consumer that they responded to a fake text and that now their debit/credit card, PIN, and phone sim card are compromised.
- The fraudster says someone from the bank, or a courier is on their way to collect the consumers card, PIN, and phone sim card.
- In some cases, the consumer is kept on the phone to the fraudster until the person from the ‘bank’ or courier company arrives at their house.
- Once they have taken these, fraudsters can then use the card for high value items, using chip & PIN.
The Bank of Ireland explained that unfortunately, because the consumer believes they have been speaking with their bank, it can take some time before they realise that they are the victim of a theft and report this to their actual bank.
Any household that has an electricity account can avail of the energy credit, but people are reminded that they do not need to apply for the payment.
The Government last year issued €450 in energy credits in three instalments, but had warned earlier this year that payments wouldn’t reach the same amounts this year.
Finance Minister Jack Chambers previously warned: “On energy prices, we will obviously decide cost-of-living supports closer to Budget time and what that will be, but it is a very much different inflation environment than we were in last year and indeed the year before.
“We want to see the wholesale energy prices passed on to consumers.
“There has been some progress on that but clearly we need to see more of that over the coming period of weeks and months.”
‘BEAT THE BILLS’
Commenting on Budget 2025, energy expert at Switcher.ie Eoin Clarke said: “Sadly, with energy credits reduced to €250 – a fraction of last year’s giveaway – and energy bills still at record levels, the credit could be cold comfort for struggling households.
“Although energy rates continue to drop, they’re nowhere near pre-crisis prices and the nine per cent VAT rate is only extended for six months.
“If you’re a working household still struggling to cover energy costs, help is out there. Talk to your energy supplier, work out a payment plan, and ensure you’re on the best tariff for your needs.
“An Post provides a free Household Budget service for those with Electric Ireland, Bord Gais Energy and SSE Airtricity.”
He added: “Switching providers is another way to beat the bills.
“An average household could save over €800 per year by changing suppliers and bagging the cheapest deal.
“And there’s no need to worry about losing your energy credit if you do make the switch – your old supplier can apply any energy credits to your closing bill or pay it into your bank account, so you won’t lose a cent.”