Dangerous and illegal trick to cut energy bills could end in jail | Personal Finance | Finance
Households across the country are being warned to watch out for a growing issue that could leave them facing prison or worse – a fatal house fire.
The energy regulator Ofgem has issued an urgent alert over a practice of meter tampering that is both “dangerous and illegal”.
Fraudsters are increasingly cold-calling and door-knocking desperate families, offering to slash their gas and electricity bills by illegally rigging their meters. But the consequences, officials warn, can be catastrophic – from gas leaks and explosions to electrocution and deadly house fires.
The warning comes as millions of hard-pressed households battle to keep on top of soaring energy costs, leaving many vulnerable to rogue operators promising a quick fix.
Ofgem says so-called “energy theft” is now costing consumers more than £1.4 billion a year – a bill that ultimately gets passed on to honest, bill-paying customers.
The watchdog is urging the public to learn the warning signs, which include gas pipes that look out of place, dials that have stopped moving, or meters mysteriously showing no credit despite payments being made.
For electricity meters, danger signs include stray wires wrapped around or clipped to the unit, damaged casing, a burning smell, or sparks and smoke near the box.
Officials say the practice isn’t confined to private homes – it has also been spotted in community halls, cafes and pubs, with sparking sockets and light switches among the red flags.
Workers have also been told to be suspicious if an employer keeps a meter cupboard locked or blocks access to it altogether.
The risks of tampering are severe
A rigged gas meter can trigger leaks, breathing problems, unconsciousness, house fires and even explosions. A doctored electricity meter can overheat, malfunction, or cause shocks, burns and electrocution.
And it’s not just a safety issue – it’s a criminal one. Anyone caught tampering with a meter faces fines and up to five years behind bars.
Members of the public who spot suspicious activity are being urged to report it – anonymously = via the Stay Energy Safe website or by calling 0800 023 2777. More details here.
