# Watchdogs warn of rogue home battery and heat pump sellers

> Five bodies are launching a joint campaign after receiving more reports of people, including seniors, being misled into costly energy deals.

Economy · published 2026-11-02 11:31 · https://nlnow.nl/a/watchdogs-warn-of-rogue-home-battery-and-heat-pump-sellers/

The consumer regulator ACM, the Consumentenbond (consumers' association), the Fraudehelpdesk (fraud helpdesk), the Juridisch Loket (legal aid desk) and homeowners' association Vereniging Eigen Huis say they are receiving more reports of unreliable sellers of home batteries, heat pumps and home energy advice.

The organisations are starting a joint campaign, "Stop het gesprek. Start je eigen check" (Stop the conversation. Start your own check), including a radio spot, to raise awareness of the risks.

Some people pay hundreds of euros for misleading home energy advice. In other cases, seniors are misled into signing an agreement for an expensive energy product, such as a home battery costing tens of thousands of euros.

The ACM describes the tactics: "They try to make people decide without taking time to look into it properly. They also often withhold important information or pretend a signature or deposit is only needed for a consultation."

**Heat pumps put into use dipped in 2024 and recovered in 2025** (heat pumps; source: CBS)

- 2016: 73862
- 2017: 97300
- 2018: 112777
- 2019: 166010
- 2020: 321647
- 2021: 367834
- 2022: 403035
- 2023: 455201
- 2024: 397064
- 2025: 427440

## Background

- **ACM (Autoriteit Consument & Markt)**: The Netherlands Authority for Consumers and Markets, the independent regulator that enforces competition law and consumer protection rules. It also regulates sectors such as energy, telecoms, transport and postal services.
- **Consumentenbond**: The Dutch consumers' association. It tests products and services, publishes the results and advises consumers; it is funded mainly by its members.
- **Fraudehelpdesk**: The Fraud Helpdesk is a Dutch point where people can report online fraud and scams, such as phishing, fake webshops and suspicious sellers, and get advice on what to do next. It passes reports on to the relevant authorities, including the police, and helps people who have already been defrauded. It is a useful first stop when a deal or offer seems untrustworthy.
- **Vereniging Eigen Huis**: Vereniging Eigen Huis is the Dutch homeowners' association, a membership organisation for people who own the home they live in. It gives its members practical advice and information on owning a home, including on maintenance, energy measures such as heat pumps and home batteries, finances and legal questions. It also speaks up for homeowners' interests towards government and other parties.

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