AIEL warns of rising online pellet scams in Italy

The Italian Association of Wood Energy (AIEL) has issued warnings regarding a resurgence of online pellet scams as temperatures drop and heating demand increases. Fraudsters are utilizing fake e-commerce sites, social media advertisements, and clone websites that mimic legitimate companies to target consumers looking for winter fuel supplies.

The scam typically involves offering pellet bags or pallets at prices significantly below market value—sometimes selling 15kg bags for under 4 euros—to create a sense of urgency. These fraudulent sellers often use high-pressure tactics, such as claiming stocks are nearly exhausted, to encourage immediate payment. Once the advance payment is received, the sellers become unreachable and the goods are never delivered.

AIEL advises consumers to remain vigilant by verifying the seller's VAT number, registered office, and contact details before purchasing. Experts recommend avoiding deals that seem too good to be true and caution against sellers who can only be contacted via messaging apps like WhatsApp or Telegram. Verifying official certifications, such as the ENplus® mark, is also recommended to ensure product authenticity.