Trading Standards - Voltage Optimiser Scams

31st January 2025

There has been a recent rise in scams related to electrical voltage checks. The scam begins with a cold call from a company offering to carry out a 'free' voltage check.

The caller may imply that they are working on behalf of the government or the electricity network and that they are carrying out similar assessments across the country.

In some cases they say they need to check the voltage level for fire safety, while other callers say they need to check the property is receiving the correct amount of current from the national grid.

If the householder agrees to arrange to have a survey carried out, a salesperson then visits their property and appears to inspect the electricity meter and sockets. There have been several cases where the salesperson mentions the Grenfell Tower disaster, which they say was caused by an electrical fault. They then tell the householder that their voltage levels are dangerously high and that they will need to fit a voltage regulator/optimiser to reduce the level.

They initially quote a price of over £3,000, but often offer to reduce this if the regulator is fitted on that day. They may say that some of the costs will be covered by a government grant.

One couple felt worried about the fire risk mentioned by the salesperson and agreed to have a voltage regulator fitted the following day. Before the installer arrived, they decided to seek a second opinion and phoned a local and trusted electrician. He told them the salesperson's claims were untrue and that the voltage levels in their property were normal and safe. He also mentioned that the cost of a voltage optimiser/regulator is usually under £300.
They cancelled the installation and reported the scam.

How to Avoid
If you receive an unexpected call offering a 'free' electrical survey or voltage check, don't agree to make an appointment for a salesperson to visit your property.

If you are concerned about voltage levels in your property, find a registered electrician in Scotland at www.electricalsafetyfirst.org.uk/find-an-electrician/scotland

You can also find electricians who have been vetted through a national or local authority approved trader scheme at approvedtrader.scot

Rogue traders often imply that urgent work is required in order to pressure householders into making a decision quickly. Always take time to think before making a decision - don't agree to make any payments for goods or services on the spot.
Don't agree to let a cold caller start work straight away - do plenty of research into their company and, if something doesn't look right, don't deal with them.

Report scams to Advice Direct Scotland on 0808 164 6000 or via scamwatch.scot.

Find out More
Find electricians approved by the National Association of Professional Inspectors and Testers (NAPIT): https://search.napit.org.uk/
Find a National Inspection Council for Electrical Installation Contracting (NICEIC)-registered electrician: https://niceic.com/find-a-tradesperson/

Find electricians registered with Scotland's Electrical Trade Association for the electrical contracting industry (SELECT): https://select.org.uk/SELECT/Find-a-member/SELECT/PostcodeSearch/PostCodeSearch.aspx
Find traders in Scotland who have been vetted by Trading Standards: approvedtrader.scot
Trading Standards Scotland: www.tsscot.co.uk/priority-areas/doorstep-scammers