Consumer group file police report over scams with home batteries

The Authority for Consumers and Markets (ACM) has filed a report with the Public Prosecution Service regarding fraud in the sale of home batteries by fraudulent companies. Last year, the regulator had warned consumers about aggressive and deceptive phone sales of electricity storage devices. Monday’s episode of Radar revealed that such practices continue, including by companies that repeatedly change their names.

Britt Svensson-Van der Vleut, the ACM’s manager for energy supervision, said on Radar that over 1,000 complaints have been filed so far. "It’s extremely difficult to combat," she said, noting that companies often shut down and reappear under new names after enforcement actions. The ACM believes criminal prosecution is the only way to effectively stop the practice.

Radar interviewed consumers who believed they were agreeing to a non-binding online quote following a phone call, only to discover they had actually signed purchase contracts worth thousands of euros. The scams don’t just affect individuals; farmers in rural areas are also being defrauded of tens of thousands of euros through deceptive contracts.

The latest surge in complaints involves new company names such as Noodstroom Consult and Go Plug, while the ACM had earlier specifically warned consumers about Opslagplan.

The ACM’s report to the Public Prosecution Service targets a network of individuals and companies allegedly engaged in widespread deceptive practices in the home battery market.

Since the perpetrators frequently change their names in a “cat-and-mouse game,” administrative measures like fines are no longer effective. The ACM aims to tackle the responsible individuals directly through criminal prosecution.

Even though the ACM raised maximum fines in July 2025 to 900,000 euros, or 1% to 10% of a company’s annual turnover, these penalties are still not enough to deter these agile networks.

Consumers who accidentally signed a contract can use sample letters provided by ACM ConsuWijzer to cancel the purchase or void the agreement due to deceptive practices.

The ACM strongly advises: never purchase complicated energy products like home batteries over an unsolicited phone call. End the call immediately.