Scam warnings: protecting yourself from door-to-door and "official" letter scams in Spain’s energy market

Spain’s electricity and gas markets have seen a surge in frauds in recent years. Households receive calls or visits from people posing as company representatives who promise steep discounts or deliver documents that look official. These practices are illegal yet thrive because consumers often confuse the regulated and free markets and may not know their rights. Below is an overview of the main scams, advice on how to protect yourself and a summary of the new rules banning unsolicited phone calls by energy suppliers.

Door-to-door sales: strictly forbidden

The Spanish Electricity Sector Law (Law 24/2013) forbids gas and electricity retailers from making door-to-door advertising or concluding contracts at a customer’s home. If a salesperson shows up unannounced, this visit is not permitted and you are entitled to refuse them entry.

When a contract is signed during a home visit, the company must give you a copy and a cancellation form. You have 14 calendar days to cancel the contract without giving a reason; if the salesperson fails to inform you of this right, the cancellation period extends to twelve months. Remember that you are not required to show your bill or bank details and you should never sign anything you do not understand. Knowing whether you are on the regulated PVPC tariff or in the free market helps you avoid being misled.

False letters and gas inspections

Another common tactic involves letters announcing bogus mandatory gas inspections. The consumer group FACUA warns that some users have received letters advising of a supposed inspection and requesting payment. FACUA reminds consumers that gas inspections are carried out every five years and are notified directly by the network distributors. If you receive such a letter, verify the date with your distributor and do not pay anyone in your home. The Community of Madrid also advises asking any technician to show identification, to demand a written quotation and to never pay cash; inspection costs are added to your bill.

Phone scams and “slamming”

Energy slamming is a fraudulent practice that switches your supplier without your explicit consent. It is usually executed via phone calls where scammers impersonate your current supplier or a public authority and offer unrealistic discounts. According to electricity company Lumisa, Spain’s CNMC monitors slamming and has logged more than 36 000 complaints. These unsolicited calls typically use trigger phrases such as “you’re a VIP customer,” “there’s a special discount,” or “your tariff will rise if you don’t act now”. Some fraudsters ask for bank details or the CUPS code and pressure you to sign a new contract on the spot.

To protect yourself, follow the hang up and verify rule: hang up on suspicious calls, never disclose personal details and contact your supplier through official channels. A legitimate company will not pressure you to decide immediately or to share confidential information over the phone. If you decide to continue the conversation, ask for the full company name, tax ID and physical address and request that the information be sent by post. Keep a record of the phone number, and report scams to the CNMC or your local consumer office.

New rules: end of cold-calling

On 10 February 2026 the Spanish Government approved Royal Decree 88/2026, a new general regulation for electricity supply, retailing and aggregation. The decree bans retailers from making unsolicited phone calls to advertise or contract energy services. According to the Ministry for the Ecological Transition, suppliers may only call when the customer has expressly requested it or when the customer initiates the call; the aim is to put an end to spam and high-pressure sales.

The decree also requires companies to provide a stand-alone document summarising any tariff change and comparing it with your previous price. Calls must be recorded and made available to the customer, and abusive exit penalties are eliminated. Minister Sara Aagesen noted that violations can lead to fines ranging from 600 000 to 6 million euros. She stressed that the government wants to rebalance the relationship between consumers and energy companies and get rid of opaque offers.

Final advice

• Do not open the door to gas or electricity salespeople unless you have booked the visit. Door-to-door sales are forbidden.
• Be suspicious of letters announcing inspections outside the official five-year schedule; confirm with your distributor.
• Hang up and verify whenever you receive an unsolicited call offering “big discounts” or requesting personal data. Contact your supplier through its official phone or website.
• Know your contract and your tariff. This reduces the risk of being switched to a different market without your consent.
• Exercise your right to cancel: if your contract is changed without your consent, 14 days to withdraw.

By staying informed and taking advantage of the new rules that ban unsolicited calls, consumers can protect themselves from fraud and aggressive sales practices in Spain’s energy market.

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