Businesses switching energy contracts are being urged to focus on the fine print after it emerged a lack of foresight could be costing companies thousands.
The latest report by energy regulator Ofgem revealed only one in seven businesses believed they were charged by the broker responsible for recommending a new deal.
And of the minority who did believe they were charged, a third nevertheless admitted that the broker’s charges were unclear.
“Six in seven businesses switching to new energy providers simply don’t consider that they might have been charged by brokers,” said Callum Thompson, CEO of Business Energy Claims.
“That’s a significant cause for concern.
“The truth is that there are a number of unscrupulous third party intermediaries (TPIs) operating within the energy sector who seek to hide those fees.
“It’s a conversation that should take place from the outset and yet there is evidence that contracts are being signed without brokers discussing the key detail around fees.
“For many businesses this only comes to light at a later stage. Let’s get this straight — brokers frequently charge for their services and we’d encourage business energy consumers to dig into the detail of a new contract and to make sure that any fees are abundantly clear.”
Claim back money owed to you from mis-sold energy contracts
BEC is the campaigning firm focused on clawing back money owed as a result of minus-sold energy contracts.
Callum and his team boast a track record for helping businesses uncover hidden fees and recoup thousands of pounds.
The Ofgem report revealed that 12 per cent of business owners simply didn’t know whether broker charges applied to their new energy contract.
And that supports Callum’s longstanding concern that a lack of energy literacy — including poor understanding of contracts and bills — is enabling TPIs to hide fees.
“Before any contract is signed and sealed businesses should be fully aware of any additional charges,” he added.
“It’s staggering that in 2025 there’s still any doubt. But if business owners don’t know which questions to ask or what to look for then no wonder this gap in knowledge exists.
“The Ofgem report supports what we already know — many businesses are ill-equipped to navigate an unregulated market and remain at risk from questionable practices as they seek to switch energy contracts.”
BEC can quickly assess whether energy providers have a case to answer and put the wheels in motion to pursue a claim.
And Callum added: “There’s no harm in having a look at your new contract even if you feel everything was clear from day one.
“It’s amazing what we can find hidden in the small print. And it’s often hidden for a reason.”