Energy theft is all around you, in homes, businesses and communities. All around the country, energy thieves are putting innocent and vulnerable people at risk.
You can read all the key facts about electricity theft here and about gas theft here.
One of the keys steps to reducing energy theft is knowing the signs to spot.
There are several tell-tale signs to look out for – on your meter, in your home, or in your community.
As a general rule, if you spot something that’s not right, you should report it. Simply call Stay Energy Safe on 0800 023 2777 or complete our online form. 100% anonymously. Always.
Our Contact Centre staff take every report seriously. Once you have told us what you know about meter tampering or energy theft, this will be reviewed and passed on to a team of qualified engineers, whose main priority is to keep people safe.
Report Energy Theft
Energy theft is dangerous. It puts you and your loved ones in danger. If someone you know is tampering with their gas or electricity meter, make sure you report it 100% anonymously here.
1. Signs of Energy Theft To Spot on Your Electricity or Gas Meter:
- Numbers not visible
- Numbers running backwards
- Numbers not moving
- Loose wires or unusual wiring
- Burn or scorch marks on the meter casing
- Sparks coming from the meter or wiring
- Crackling or hissing noises around the meter
- Wires that don’t lead back to the fuse board or trip switch panel
- Pipes that have been bypassed, or look out of place, or the use of rubber tubing
- The smell of gas around the meter
- Signs of overheating such as smoke, burning smells and leaking bitumen
2. Signs of Energy Theft To Spot in Your Home:
- Sparks from multiple sockets and switches
- Electric shocks from multiple appliances
- Electric shocks from taps, the bath or shower
- Meters locked away
- Smell of gas
- A prepayment meter that doesn’t need topping up
- Gas flames that are bigger than you would expect
- If you are a landlord, you should be suspicious if your tenants won’t give you access to the meters
- If you are a tenant, you might be suspicious if your landlord charges you a fixed or very low amount for bills
3. Signs of Energy Theft To Spot in Your Local Community:
- People boasting about saving money on electricity and gas bills
- Sparks or electric shocks from metal surfaces, counters, doors, and light switches, for example in a community building, hall, takeaway, or pub
- Employers that lock the meter cupboard or refuse access to meters
- Loose wires, unusual, or damaged meters in community and public buildings
- Tradespeople offering to help you save money on your electricity or gas bill
You should be concerned if your meter is consistently sparking or smoking, you smell smoke, hear an explosion, or see fire.
If this is the case, don’t hesitate, call 999 immediately and ask for the fire service. If the fire started at your meter, you should also report this to your energy company immediately, if you know who they are. If not, click the following link to find your energy provider or network operator.
If you are concerned that energy theft is taking place in your local area, you can contact the Stay Energy Safe service to report your suspicions. You can either use our online form or call our free phone number on 0800 023 2777. Whichever you choose, you can remain 100% anonymous.
Reporting energy theft will help keep those you love, and those in your community, safe.
Please note, this service is independent to your energy supplier and can only take calls relating the suspected meter tampering or energy theft.