"I'm calling from your electricity company": the fake supplier scam

Calls from supposed electricity and gas salespeople are one of the most widespread phone scams in Spain. Behind a friendly tone and an apparently helpful message ("I'm calling to review your tariff") there often lies an attempt to switch you to another supplier without your real consent, or to get hold of sensitive data. Knowing how to spot the pattern saves you from unpleasant surprises, unexpected charges and weeks of paperwork.

The typical call script

These calls follow a very recognisable script. The caller usually introduces themselves in a deliberately vague way and strings together phrases designed to create urgency or trust:

• "I'm calling to carry out a review of your tariff." It sounds like a routine task, but no reputable supplier needs to review your tariff over the phone unless you've asked them to.
• "Your electricity is going up / there's a new regulation." They play on the fear of paying more. The supposed regulatory change is never spelled out and exists only to pressure you.
• "I just need to confirm a few details." Here comes the real goal: getting you to hand over information about your contract.
• "I need your CUPS and your contract details." And, in the most serious cases, your IBAN "so we can apply the discount".

The tone is always the same: warm, rushed, and promising savings that are rarely put in writing.

Why they ask for your CUPS and IBAN

Understanding what they're after helps you shut the call down on the spot.

The CUPS

The CUPS (Universal Supply Point Code) is the unique identifier for your electricity or gas connection. It appears on any bill. With your CUPS, a supplier can process a switch of company without needing to touch your meter or set foot in your home. That's why it's the piece they insist most on obtaining: it's the key to "porting" you over to another company.

The IBAN

Your bank account number lets them set up direct debits. If they combine it with verbal consent recorded in a misleading way, they can start charging you on behalf of a company you never knowingly chose. Giving your IBAN over the phone to a stranger is, quite simply, opening the door to unwanted charges.

The rule is simple: a CUPS plus an IBAN are enough to switch your supplier. Don't hand them over on a call you didn't start yourself.

The deliberate confusion with the distributor

One of the most effective tactics is to play on the difference between the distributor and the supplier, two roles many people aren't aware of:

• The distributor is the company that maintains the network and the meter in your area. You can't choose it and it doesn't sell you energy.
• The supplier is the one that bills you for electricity or gas, and you are free to switch it.

The fake salesperson exploits this confusion. They use phrases like "I'm calling from the electricity company in your area" or "we're the ones who manage your supply", implying that they represent the official distributor or even your own supplier. That's not the case: it's almost always a different company trying to sign you up. If they don't clearly state the exact name of the company and the fact that they're a supplier, be suspicious.

How to check whether the call is legitimate

You don't have to prove anything on the spot. The burden of proof is on the caller.

Don't give out any data

Don't share your CUPS, your IBAN, your ID number or your contract details. Don't confirm random questions with a "yes" either: some recordings are edited to fake consent. Reply with neutral phrases such as "I'm not going to give out details over the phone".

Ask for everything in writing

A genuine offer holds up on paper. Ask them to send you the proposal by email or post, with the supplier's name, tax ID (CIF), the terms and the detailed price. If they refuse or insist on closing it "right now over the phone", that's the clearest sign of fraud.

Cross-check with your real supplier

Hang up and call the official number that appears on your bill or on your company's official website yourself. Never use the number they called you from or a link they've sent you. Ask directly whether this supposed review or promotion exists. They'll almost always confirm that it doesn't.

If you want to organise all these steps, our guide on what to do about a suspicious call may help.

Your right not to be bothered

You're not obliged to put up with these calls. You have tools to cut them down:

• Sign up for the Robinson List, the service that lets you opt out of receiving advertising from companies you have no contractual relationship with.
• Exercise your right to object: you can expressly ask them to stop calling you and to delete your data.
• If the pestering continues or you suspect an unauthorised switch of company, save the date, time and number, and consider filing a complaint.

Identifying who's on the other end also helps. Check out our guide on how to find out who's calling you to recognise patterns even before you pick up.

What to do

If you receive one of these calls, act calmly and methodically:

1. Don't give out any data. No CUPS, no IBAN, no ID number, no contract details.
2. Don't confirm anything with a "yes". Keep your answers neutral.
3. Ask for the offer in writing with the supplier's name and tax ID (CIF).
4. Hang up and verify by calling the official number on your bill.
5. Check your next bills and bank statements in case a charge or a switch of company you didn't authorise shows up.
6. Note down and report the number to warn other people.
7. Sign up for the Robinson List if you haven't already.

The more people identify and share these numbers, the less effective the fraud becomes. Before you pick up next time, check the number in our spam number directory: you can see whether other users have already flagged it as a fake salesperson and, if it's happened to you, report it on NoCall to protect the community.

Check and report the number on NoCall