$12.5B
FTC-reported fraud losses in 2024
FTC says consumers reported losing $12.5 billion to fraud in 2024.
utility rebate phishing scam
Scammers send emails or texts posing as your utility, claiming you qualify for an energy rebate or refund, then steal your bank details through a fake claim form.
“utility scam”
↑ 649%Key indicators
Usually targetsHomeowners
Often hitsFreelancers and contractors
Common regionUnited States
Last updated2026-04-04
Estimated impact
$640
median reported loss
Typical range$40 – $4.0K
Recovery rate~15%
Scam breakdown
1
Scammers send official-looking emails claiming the victim is owed a rebate from their energy company or a government energy efficiency program
2
The link leads to a phishing site that requests bank routing numbers, Social Security numbers, or login credentials to process the refund
3
Stolen information is used for identity theft or unauthorized bank withdrawals
What to do first
Do not click links in unsolicited rebate offers — visit your utility company website directly to check for legitimate programs
Related terms
energy rebate scamutility refund phishingfake energy creditUtility scamsEmailSurgingHomeownersRentersOlder adultsFreelancers and contractorsSmall business ownersPayroll, HR, and finance teamsUnited StatesCanadaenergy rebate scamutility refund phishing
Real-world example
How this scam plays out in practice
Based on reported patterns. Names and details are illustrative.
The setup
Lisa, 42, a homeowners, encountered what appeared to be a legitimate utility scams situation while using Email. Scammers send official-looking emails claiming the victim is owed a rebate from their energy company or a government energy efficiency program
Step 2
What happened next was calculated: The link leads to a phishing site that requests bank routing numbers, Social Security numbers, or login credentials to process the refund
Step 3
The pressure escalated quickly: Stolen information is used for identity theft or unauthorized bank withdrawals
The outcome
Lisa realized something was wrong when unsolicited email or text about a rebate you never applied for. By that point, significant damage had already been done — money sent, personal information shared, or trust exploited.
The lesson
Do not click links in unsolicited rebate offers — visit your utility company website directly to check for legitimate programs Lisa's experience shows why unsolicited email or text about a rebate you never applied for and link directs to a non-utility domain requesting bank account or social security number are the clearest early warning signs.
How to identify it
- Unsolicited email or text about a rebate you never applied for
- Link directs to a non-utility domain requesting bank account or Social Security number
- Message contains typos, generic greetings, or mismatched branding
- Pause before paying, clicking, or sharing information. Scammers rely on speed.
- Verify the sender, company, or agency using a phone number or website you already know is legitimate.
- Treat secrecy, urgency, and off-platform payment requests as strong scam signals.
What to do now
- ✓Do not click links in unsolicited rebate offers — visit your utility company website directly to check for legitimate programs
- ✓Report phishing emails to the Anti-Phishing Working Group at [email protected]
- ✓If you entered personal information, freeze your credit with all three bureaus and monitor your bank statements
What to save before reporting
- ✓Save the message, profile, phone number, email, or URL that was used.
- ✓Keep payment confirmations, receipts, and account alerts before you dispute or delete anything.
- ✓Write down the timeline while the details are still fresh.
- ✓Keep the full sender address, domain, attachments, and—if possible—the raw email headers.
How big is this problem
You are not alone — this scam affects millions of people.
These numbers come from government agencies and official reports. If you have been affected, know that this is a widespread problem — not something that only happens to careless people.
FTC 2024 fraud losses
Imposters
Most common FTC fraud category in 2024
FTC says imposter scams remained the most commonly reported fraud category in 2024.
History and evolution
- This scam family tends to persist because the social-engineering pressure works even when the exact scripts, platforms, and payment methods change.
- The specific packaging evolves over time, but the core pattern usually stays the same: create urgency, control the channel, and push action before verification.
- The Anti-Phishing Working Group observed over 5 million phishing attacks in 2023, with utility and financial services among the most impersonated sectors
Recovery and follow-up
- ✓Save the messages, receipts, account alerts, and transaction details before you block or delete anything.
- ✓Report the scam through the official platform or government channel that best matches where it happened.
- ✓Do not click links in unsolicited rebate offers — visit your utility company website directly to check for legitimate programs
- ✓Report phishing emails to the Anti-Phishing Working Group at [email protected]
- ✓If you entered personal information, freeze your credit with all three bureaus and monitor your bank statements
Why this pattern keeps working
Even when the story changes, most scams still use the same pressure pattern: urgency, authority, and a request to move money or data fast.
The Anti-Phishing Working Group observed over 5 million phishing attacks in 2023, with utility and financial services among the most impersonated sectors
OpenScam research
Where to report it
If you have been targeted by this scam, reporting it helps authorities track the pattern and protect others. United States has dedicated agencies that handle fraud reports.
ReportFraud.gov
Federal Trade Commission
Central U.S. consumer fraud reporting portal.
File an IC3 complaint
FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center
FBI portal for internet-enabled crime reports.
Start identity theft recovery
IdentityTheft.gov
Official U.S. identity theft recovery plan builder.
Explore further
Understand the bigger picture
Who is most at risk
Who this scam targets
Primary targets
Homeowners, Renters, Older adults
Geographic concentration
United States, Canada
Primary channel
Email — Utility scams
Why this group is vulnerable
Homeowners are particularly vulnerable because this scam exploits trust in familiar brands, authority figures, and time-sensitive decisions. The rapid increase in reports suggests that awareness among this demographic remains low.
Sources and methodology
How we verify this information
OpenScam tracks scam patterns using a combination of government consumer protection databases (FTC, IC3, Action Fraud), platform-specific fraud reports, and verified consumer complaint data. Each entry is cross-referenced against at least two independent sources before publication.
Severity ratings are based on financial impact potential, reversibility of damage, and volume of reports across multiple reporting channels. Trend velocity reflects the rate of change in report volume over the most recent 90-day window.
This page was last verified on 2026-04-04. Red flags, recovery steps, and reporting resources are reviewed quarterly against current agency guidance.
Evidence and indicators
- The Anti-Phishing Working Group observed over 5 million phishing attacks in 2023, with utility and financial services among the most impersonated sectors
Source notes
- OpenScam research
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about utility rebate phishing scam
How does the utility rebate phishing scam work?+
Scammers send official-looking emails claiming the victim is owed a rebate from their energy company or a government energy efficiency program The link leads to a phishing site that requests bank routing numbers, Social Security numbers, or login credentials to process the refund Stolen information is used for identity theft or unauthorized bank withdrawals
What are the warning signs of utility rebate phishing scam?+
Unsolicited email or text about a rebate you never applied for Link directs to a non-utility domain requesting bank account or Social Security number Message contains typos, generic greetings, or mismatched branding
What should I do if I encounter utility rebate phishing scam?+
Do not click links in unsolicited rebate offers — visit your utility company website directly to check for legitimate programs Report phishing emails to the Anti-Phishing Working Group at [email protected] If you entered personal information, freeze your credit with all three bureaus and monitor your bank statements
Who is most at risk for utility rebate phishing scam?+
This scam primarily targets Homeowners, Renters, Older adults. It is most commonly reported in United States, Canada and typically appears on Email.
Is utility rebate phishing scam getting worse?+
utility rebate phishing scam is currently surging — reports are increasing rapidly. It has been reported across US, CA. Last updated 2026-04-04.
Related scams
Similar scams to watch out for
Employment fraud
↑ 80%Fake job offer advance payment scam
A victim receives what looks like a legitimate remote job offer and is asked to pay upfront for equipment, training, or background checks.
What to do first
Verify the recruiter and company domain independently.
Targets
Job seekers
Seen in
Global
Smishing
↑ 27%Bank verification text phishing scam
A text message claims a suspicious bank event happened and pushes the victim to a fake login page before they stop to verify the sender.
What to do first
Do not tap the link from the text.
Targets
Mobile banking users
Seen in
Global
Identity theft
↑ 17%Medical billing identity fraud
Stolen identity details are used for medical claims or treatments, leading to fraudulent bills and corrupted records for the victim.
What to do first
Review insurance explanations of benefits regularly.
Targets
Families
Seen in
U.S.
Help someone avoid this scam.
Scammers succeed because people do not talk about it. If you or someone you know has been affected, there is no shame in it — it happens to millions of people every year. Share this page with friends and family so they know what to look for.