How to Verify Suspicious Emails from Australian Energy Providers

Summary

This guide helps you troubleshoot and resolve: How to Verify Suspicious Emails from Australian Energy Providers. Follow the steps below to fix the issue.

Common Causes

Phishing emails pretending to be from Australian energy providers are a common way cybercriminals try to steal login credentials and payment details. These messages often look convincing, using official logos and urgent language about overdue bills or account suspensions. This guide helps you verify whether an email is legitimate before clicking any links or attachments.

Quick Fix Steps

1. Do not click any links or open attachments in the suspicious email.
2. Check the sender's email address for misspellings or unusual domains.
3. Hover over links to see the actual destination URL before clicking.
4. Log in to your energy provider's website directly by typing the address into your browser.
5. Contact your energy provider using a phone number from a recent bill or their official website.

Detailed Instructions

Inspect the Sender Address

Open the email and look at the From field. Legitimate Australian energy providers use official domains, such as @agl.com.au or @originenergy.com.au. Be cautious of addresses that use public email services like @gmail.com or @outlook.com, or domains with slight misspellings like @agl-energy-support.com.

Check Links Before Clicking

Hover your mouse over any button or hyperlink in the email. A small preview will show the actual web address. If the URL does not match the energy provider's official website, or if it uses an IP address instead of a domain name, do not click it.

Log In Directly

Instead of using links in the email, open your web browser and type your energy provider's website address manually. Log in to your account to check for any genuine notifications about your bill or supply. If there is no alert in your account, the email is likely a scam.

Verify Through Official Channels

If you remain unsure, contact your energy provider using the phone number listed on a recent paper bill or found on their official website. Do not use any phone numbers provided in the suspicious email.

Troubleshooting

Email Looks Legitimate but You Are Still Unsure

• Check for generic greetings like Dear Customer instead of your full name.
• Look for poor spelling, grammar, or unusual formatting.
• Be wary of urgent threats, such as immediate disconnection unless you pay within hours.
• Never enter your myGov, banking, or energy portal credentials after following a link from an email.

You Already Clicked a Link or Entered Details

• Change your energy provider account password immediately.
• If you used the same password elsewhere, change it on those accounts too.
• Contact your bank if you provided payment details.
• Report the incident to Scamwatch at scamwatch.gov.au.

Note: Enable multi-factor authentication (MFA) on your energy provider account and email account for an extra layer of security.

Warning: Energy providers will never ask you to confirm your password or credit card details via email or SMS.

If you need further assistance identifying a suspicious email, Open a Ticket with 220 Internet Services support.

Still Having Issues?