The energy market has become a hunting ground for numerous malicious actors. Faced with the complexity of offers and the volatility of prices, more and more professionals and individuals are turning to energy brokers, hoping to make substantial savings. Unfortunately, behind tempting promises often lie fraudulent practices that can be very costly. A recent investigation by the program “Cash Investigation” highlighted the shocking techniques of certain brokers, revealing a system where deception is sometimes established as a business model [1]. The goal of this article is to arm you against these scams. We’ll unpack the seven most common scams, provide you with a foolproof checklist for verifying a broker’s reliability, and tell you what to do if you’re a victim of fraud. The stakes are high: protecting your business and personal finances from unscrupulous actors. The 7 Most Common Energy Broker Scams Fraudsters use well-honed strategies to gain your trust and get you to sign unfavorable contracts. Learning to recognize these warning signs is the first line of defense. Here’s an infographic that summarizes the 7 pitfalls to avoid. 1. Hidden commission above 15% This is the most widespread and insidious scam. A broker is paid by the energy supplier via a commission included in the price per kWh you pay. While a commission of 2% to 5% is considered normal, some brokers do not hesitate to charge rates of 15%, 20%, or even more, without ever clearly informing you. This excessive commission is deducted directly from your bill, transforming the promised savings into significant additional costs. The French Directorate General for Competition, Consumer Affairs, and Fraud Control (DGCCRF) has sanctioned several companies for such deceptive practices, highlighting the lack of transparency as a major problem in the sector [2]. Here is a table to visualize the impact of an excessive commission: 2. Unrealistic promises of savings “Cut your bill in half!” If a promise seems too good to be true, it probably is. Fraudulent brokers lure their prey with spectacular, unguaranteed savings projections. They often use biased comparisons, deliberately omitting fees or basing their claims on rates that are...