ESB or Electric Ireland "Overdue Bill" Email — Scam Warning for Ireland
You received an email claiming to be from ESB or Electric Ireland about an overdue electricity bill or a refund you're owed. It includes a link to pay or claim the money. ESB and Electric Ireland send bills through your registered account, not through unsolicited emails with payment links. This is one of the most common scam emails in Ireland.
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How This Scam Works
High Risk — Common Irish Utility Scam
ESB and Electric Ireland send bills through your registered account, not through unsolicited emails with payment links. Any unexpected email about an overdue electricity bill is likely a scam.
You receive an email claiming to be from ESB (Electricity Supply Board) or Electric Ireland about an overdue electricity bill or a refund you're owed. The email includes a link to pay the balance or claim the refund. The branding and layout may closely resemble genuine ESB or Electric Ireland communications.
The link leads to a fake website that captures your credit card or bank details. In the refund version, you're asked to enter your banking information to "receive" money — which, of course, never arrives. These emails are especially common during winter months when electricity bills are higher and more believable.
FraudSMART Ireland has issued multiple warnings about utility company impersonation, noting that ESB and Electric Ireland are among the most impersonated brands in Irish phishing campaigns. An Garda Siochana regularly receives reports of these scams.
Red Flags
- Claims you have an overdue electricity bill or are owed a refund
- Sender address is not from @esb.ie or @electricireland.ie
- Link does not point to esb.ie or electricireland.ie
- Asks for bank details or credit card information
- Creates urgency — threatens disconnection or refund expiry
What You Should Do
What To Do
- Do not click any links in the email
- Log in to your ESB or Electric Ireland account directly at their official website
- Check your actual bill status through your online account or the app
- Call ESB Networks at 1800 372 757 or Electric Ireland at 1850 372 372 to verify
- Report the scam to An Garda Siochana and FraudSMART
How to Verify Legitimately
Sign in to your ESB or Electric Ireland account through their official website or app. Your current balance, payment history, and any overdue amounts will be displayed there. If you have a genuine overdue bill, you can pay through these official channels.
Sources
- FraudSMART Ireland — Impersonation Scams — Utility company impersonation scam warnings
- ESB Networks — Fraudulent Phishing Attempts — Security alerts