Tech

Energy crisis: The number of electricity and heating scams is skyrocketing

The authorities have been on alert since the beginning of winter, while scams based on the energy crisis are in full swing. Many victims report having fallen for too attractive offers, supposed to reduce the electricity bill at the end of the month. The Ministry of the Economy has published a guide to avoid hacker traps.

heating electricity bill
Credits: gopixa/123rf

For several weeks, the government has not skimped on the means to warn the French of the energy crisis that awaits the country. The authorities are formal: to avoid the shortage, it will imperatively be necessary to save on its consumption. Suffice to say that it is a favorable context for scams of all kinds, especially at a time when households are looking to reduce their electricity bills at all costs.

Of course, hackers are quick to take advantage of the situation. In 2022, the number of scams posing as offers to sell firewood has multiplied by 10. Similarly, FranceVérif has noted a 127% increase in false advertisements for wood stoves and pellets. Traps that can cost up to several hundred euros.

On the same subject — TrackMyWatt: discover the site that allows you to track energy consumption live

Scams taking advantage of the energy crisis are increasing, stay vigilant

Faced with such an increase in risks, it is urgent to know the best practices and reflexes to adopt to protect yourself. Thus, the Ministry of the Economy has published a guide presenting all the legal obligations with which companies promoting their products or services must comply. If one of these offers does not comply with these regulations, then you can be sure that it is a scam.

Unfortunately, the reverse doesn’t necessarily mean you can rush headlong into this enticing promotion. On the contrary: if it seems too good to be true, it probably is. For the rest, the recommendations remain the same: always pay attention to the recipient’s email address, any spelling errors in the message and the URL of the site to which you are redirected.

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