Fake signatures expose ECO4 fraud risks for UK homeowners

The BBC has revealed that eco-installers forged homeowner signatures to claim public money through the ECO4 scheme. One victim told the broadcaster her name was signed on documents she never saw. This is not a minor administrative error, it is fraud that undermines a programme meant to cut energy bills for low-income households.

As reported by the BBC, the forged signatures were used to claim government grants for insulation and heating upgrades. The homeowners involved said they were left with unfinished work and no way to get it fixed. For every household caught in this scam, public money that should help 600,000 homes a year is instead lining the pockets of rogue installers.

Who qualifies, and who doesn’t

ECO4 is designed for households on certain benefits or with low incomes. It covers loft insulation, cavity wall insulation, and heating controls. The scheme is administered by energy suppliers, who subcontract to accredited installers. But the BBC’s investigation shows that some of those installers are cutting corners, or forging paperwork, to claim payment for work not done or not done properly.

Ofgem, the energy regulator, confirmed to the BBC that it investigates every complaint. Yet the number of complaints is rising: 1,200 in 2023, up from 800 the year before. The catch is that many homeowners do not know their signatures have been forged until months later, when a letter arrives from their energy supplier asking about completed work they never authorised.

What it costs a typical 3-bed semi

A typical ECO4 installation for a 3-bed semi includes loft insulation (£300–£500), cavity wall insulation (£400–£700), and a new boiler or heat pump (£2,000–£7,000 under the scheme). If the installer forges your signature, you may be left with substandard materials, no guarantee, and a home that still leaks heat. Your energy bills stay high, and your EPC rating does not improve.

The government’s own data shows that poorly installed insulation can reduce thermal performance by up to 30%. That means a household spending £1,200 a year on gas could waste £360 annually because of shoddy work. And if the installer has already claimed the grant, your energy supplier may refuse to fix it.

How to protect yourself, and your EPC rating

First, always verify that your installer is registered with TrustMark or the Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS). These bodies have complaints procedures and can revoke accreditation. Second, never sign a completion certificate until you have inspected the work and are satisfied. Third, take photos of the installation before and after. Fourth, check your energy supplier’s letter confirming the work, if you did not authorise it, call Ofgem’s ECO compliance team immediately.

The Energy Saving Trust advises homeowners to ask for a written quote and a timeline before any work begins. If the installer pressures you to sign quickly, that is a red flag. Legitimate installers will wait for your approval.

But the system also needs reform. Ofgem should require installers to submit signed declarations with a witness, not just a scanned signature. The government should also introduce random audits of ECO4 installations, like those already used for the Great British Insulation Scheme. Without these checks, the fraud will continue, and the public will lose trust in a scheme that could save millions of tonnes of carbon.

Homeowners on standard variable tariffs can check their eligibility for ECO4 through the gov.uk website or by calling their energy supplier. If you suspect fraud, report it to Ofgem’s ECO compliance team at [email protected] or call 020 7901 7295. Do not let a rogue installer put your home, and your EPC rating, at risk.