Residents of Reims have fallen victim to scammers posing as TotalEnergies representatives, who installed low-quality thermostats and fraudulently claimed government subsidies. Many homes experienced malfunctioning devices, raising concerns about increased energy bills. This scam has also affected other French cities, with around 3,000 homes impacted. Authorities are investigating, and measures are being taken to suspend certain aid while enhancing oversight in the sector to prevent future fraud.
Residents of Reims Targeted by Thermostat Installation Scammers
A resident from Reims, who prefers to remain unnamed, is grappling with disbelief after falling victim to a deceptive scheme. Just a month ago, she welcomed three men into her home who claimed to be representatives from TotalEnergies, there to install new thermostats on her radiators. “They assured us that we would save significantly on our energy bills—up to 20%—and requested our tax forms and identification. They promised there would be no cost involved,” she recounted in a recent report. However, these individuals were not legitimate; they were impostors aiming to exploit government funds intended for energy renovations.
The Scammers’ Deceptive Tactics
The scammers employed a well-practiced strategy: they fitted low-quality thermostats in the homes they targeted, then utilized the residents’ personal information to fraudulently claim government subsidies that can reach up to 600 euros. Unfortunately, the installed thermostats often malfunctioned. “Not all of them work… The radiator in the bedroom is hot, but the one in the hallway isn’t. I’m really upset. Now, I’m worried about receiving an even higher energy bill than last year,” lamented the concerned mother. Other residents in her building have reported similar experiences, with one neighbor recalling a visit from the same scammers. “When they asked for my tax documents, I got suspicious and refused. I asked why they needed it, and they insisted it was mandatory,” he shared.
This issue is not confined to Reims; similar scams have been reported in cities like Montbéliard, Amiens, and Lyon. In Reims alone, at least three buildings managed by a social landlord have been targeted. The criminals even advertised their visits through posters displayed in common areas. “The text looked quite polished, despite a few errors. It featured a recognizable logo from a well-known energy company, and detailed specific dates for changing thermostats in homes. This raised our suspicions, prompting us to investigate further, and we discovered this was occurring everywhere,” explained Vincent Hallier, the general director of Foyer Rémois, who took proactive measures by alerting all tenants via SMS.
Approximately 3,000 homes have been affected by this fraudulent marketing campaign, and authorities are currently investigating the extent of the scam’s reach. “This is serious because it misleads our tenants. The faulty installations could lead to significant issues with heating systems. Additionally, it poses a risk to the state, as it involves falsifying Cerfa forms to claim subsidies,” Hallier added.
In response to the growing concern, the delegated minister responsible for energy announced a suspension of part of the aid for installing connected thermostats by the end of the week. She also mentioned that efforts are underway to enhance oversight in the sector.