British Gas is an energy provider operating in the United Kingdom.
About British Gas scam texts, emails and phone calls
Scams that pose as utility companies (i.e. companies that provide gas, electricity, water) can be initiated through text, phone or email.
Such scams are usually designed to lure a recipient into clicking a link to a spoof website or calling a spoof phone number. In both cases, the crooks - posing as the utility company - will then attempt to trick a recipient into handing over sensitive details about themselves, thus making themselves vulnerable to identity theft.
Common social engineering tricks can include -
- Telling the recipient there is something wrong with their account (e.g. overdue payment, unauthorised access to their account, security concerns) and failure to act may result in their service being terminated.
- Telling the recipient they are due a refund.
- Telling the recipient that important account/payment information is attached or available through a link.
An example of a British Gas phishing email is below which claims the email recipient is due a refund from their energy bill. However the link in this email will direct to a spoof British Gas website that steals login information and personal information.
Report a British Gas phone, text and email scam.
How to report a British Gas scam text?
Details about scam text messages can be forwarded to British Gas at phishing@britishgas.co.uk.
How to report a British Gas scam email?
Scam emails and phishing emails can be sent to British Gas at phishing@britishgas.co.uk. If possible, attach the scam email to a new email and send.
If you're in the UK, you can ALSO report scams...
- Scam emails can be forwarded to The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) at report@phishing.gov.uk
- Scam texts can be forwarded to your phone carrier on 7726
- All types of cybercrime and fraud can be reported to the police via ActionFraud by calling 0300 123 2040 (or 101 in Scotland) or by using ActionFraud's online reporting tool here.
If you're in the USA, you can ALSO report scams...
- Scam texts can be forwarded to your phone carrier on 7726
- All types of cybercrime and fraud can be reported to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) by using their complaint assistant here or by calling 1-877-382-4357 (9am-8pm ET)
From a different country? Click here.
You can also forward SMS or email scams to us at scam@thatsfake.com
Avoiding British Gas text and email scams
While emails or text messages from utility companies may be genuine, recipients should always be sceptical of such messages when they ask them to click links, open attachments, download files or call phone numbers.
- Avoid clicking links on emails and text messages that claim to come from a utility company, as well as opening up email attachments. If you’re not sure if it is genuine, go to their website and login or contact them using the information on their website or your paperwork.
- Be especially cautious of texts and emails that appear to try and panic you with threats of having your account or service suspended.
- Never open email attachments or download files from emails claiming to show billing information or invoices unless you were specifically expecting that email.
- If you do click a link in a message, always check the web address of the page you’re on to see if it belongs to the utility company.
- For emails that appears to come from a utility company, look for common red flags such as generic greetings (i.e. Hello customer) and poor spelling and grammar.
British Gas have some additional information on how to spot scam emails claiming to represent them on their security page here.