The Importance of Reducing Energy Theft

At Stay Energy Safe, our main objective is to keep you safe from the hidden, but very severe, dangers of energy theft.

Unfortunately, few people know the true risks of meter tampering.

That is why we are raising awareness of energy theft, and the importance of reducing the number of unsafe, tampered meters in our communities.

What Is Energy Theft and Why Is It Important That We Reduce the Number of Occurrences?

Energy theft occurs when someone tampers with their electricity or gas meter so that it doesn’t record the proper electricity or gas usage.

Some criminals even bypass their meter completely so that it doesn’t record any usage at all.

Reducing the amount of energy theft by identifying and stopping those committing the crime will help to keep those living or working around tampered meters safe from harm.

If you think you may have any information about energy theft, please tell us what you know, so we can work to ensure the meters in question are safe.

Once someone has reported energy theft, an energy expert will visit the property and identify whether there is a tampered meter. If this is the case, the meter will be checked and either made safe straight away or be escalated to the Gas or Electric emergency teams.

Why Is Reducing Energy Theft Important?

Reducing the amount of energy theft is crucial for several reasons, including:

1. Stopping Preventable Tragedies and Severe Injuries

From shocks and severe burns to fatalities caused by devastating electrical or gas fires, energy theft is incredibly dangerous and puts those you love at risk.

If you think someone you know has tampered with their meter, and you’re worried about the safety of the people who might be impacted, report it 100% anonymously, here.

2. Keeping Communities Safe

Energy theft is a much bigger problem than people realise. By raising awareness of meter tampering and the signs of energy theft, we can all keep each other safe.

How Do I Know if Someone Is Cheating Their Meter?

The first step to reducing energy theft is knowing the signs to spot. There are several tell-tail signs that you can look out for:

On Your Electricity and 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
• Pipes that have been bypassed, or look out of place, use of rubber tubing
• The smell of gas around the meter

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
• If you are a landlord, you should be suspicious if your tenants won’t give you access to the meters

In Your Community:

• People boasting about saving money on electricity 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, you can find a list of energy companies here.

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 08000 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.