Electricity theft

joannaS_2

Hi,

I have big problem. I have just rented a 2 bedroom flat. I noticed, that even all electricals stuff are switched off, my meter is still moving. I asked my supplier, that maybe my meter is broken, but they checked:think: and said that my meter is working properly. They suggested, that maybe someone is stealing my electricity, but I have to find who. What can I do, please help me!

peterod1

Pull the fuse out or switch off at the mains and wait to see who comes out to find out why the electricity has gone off.

sp6281

joannaS wrote: »

Hi,

I have big problem. I have just rented a 2 bedroom flat. I noticed, that even all electricals stuff are switched off, my meter is still moving. I asked my supplier, that maybe my meter is broken, but they checked:think: and said that my meter is working properly. They suggested, that maybe someone is stealing my electricity, but I have to find who. What can I do, please help me!

Sorry to ask a stupid question but is everything switched OFF or on standby? Plus are all the plugs switched to off?

joannaS_2

peterod1 wrote: »

Pull the fuse out or switch off at the mains and wait to see who comes out to find out why the electricity has gone off.

Yes, but someone could do it just behind the fuse, so if I pull the fuse out, an electricity could still be delivered to someone's ( read thief's )home.

joannaS_2

sp6281 wrote: »

Sorry to ask a stupid question but is everything switched OFF or on standby? Plus are all the plugs switched to off?

Thanks for a question.

Everything is switched off, not on standby. Even people from npower checked it.

sp6281

joannaS wrote: »

Yes, but someone could do it just behind the fuse, so if I pull the fuse out, an electricity could still be delivered to someone's ( read thief's )home.

Although technically possible this is highly unlikely. The fuse box is connected direct into the supply and a very short distance from the actual meter. If they had tapped into this then you would have your fuse box tripping out a lot and or your bill being a lot more than it should.

When you are turning everything off there may still be a small amount of energy being drawn by capacitors in the equipment. You would need to turn them off for several minutes before the meter would stop and there is still a small amount of energy drawn to power the meter itself so wouldnt completely stop

Keith

peterod1 wrote: »

Pull the fuse out or switch off at the mains and wait to see who comes out to find out why the electricity has gone off.

Or the angry drug lord finds his plants dead next door.

joannaS_2

sp6281 wrote: »

Although technically possible this is highly unlikely. The fuse box is connected direct into the supply and a very short distance from the actual meter. If they had tapped into this then you would have your fuse box tripping out a lot and or your bill being a lot more than it should.

When you are turning everything off there may still be a small amount of energy being drawn by capacitors in the equipment. You would need to turn them off for several minutes before the meter would stop and there is still a small amount of energy drawn to power the meter itself so wouldnt completely stop

Thanks for an answer. My huge bills are a reason why I started to check my meter and I still supose that someone steals my electricity. But because I have got few neighbours I can't point, who is doing that.

How can I catch a thief? Should I call a police? But I don't know who and how steals.

sp6281

I'd get an electrician in to check all the wiring. Yes it will cost you but if you find someone is stealing it you can add the cost to the charges and if not and they find something wrong you will save the difference with your reduced bills!

joannaS_2

sp6281 wrote: »

I'd get an electrician in to check all the wiring. Yes it will cost you but if you find someone is stealing it you can add the cost to the charges and if not and they find something wrong you will save the difference with your reduced bills!

Yes, this is good idea, I will do it! Thanks for quick respond! Best wishes!

ollski

Your supplier should have a fraud investigation team, if they think you or a neighbour are stealing electricity why haven't they referred it to them?