Mums neighbours stealing her electricity!

Regis77

In cases like this it is advisable to contact both your supplier and Energywatch or Ofgem. All suppliers should have a Revenue Protection department who should investigate for an illegal connection ; and thus declaring to the supplier you are telling the truth.

Alternatively, although could be an expensive route, it may be advisable to get the local networks company to re-route the existing supply to a new meter point thus breaking the illegal connection. They should be able to arrange a free visit to quote for the work to see what they suggest. Energywatch will have a list of national telephone numbers.

ulcer

I am in a similar situation myself but my bill is for £2000 and I no longer live there, the electricity supplier have done nothing but try to make more money out of me to check what has been going on.

Ang1e_2

Has she compared her previous summer usage to determine the extent of the problem? Is it possible for her to phone her supplier and determine what her winter usage so far has been so she can do the same? Add up the averages of winter and summer to determine the extent of the problem.

I guess one thing your mum needs to consider is that if she's already being charged 700 pounds for summer usage, until she takes some action whatever is causing the problem is going to continue to increase her bill. While she takes no action at all her supplier will no doubt consider that the usage is down to her and will continue to hold her resoponsible.

If your mum is sure that she hasn't changed her usage at all then something untoward like theft or a faulty meter must be the cause. She should then have no problem in investing an initial amount of money for the necessary checks to be carried out. Once they have established that the problem is not down to her the charges should be waivered.

I would personally take the view that the longer she leaves it the bigger the problem will become, the more money it will ultimately cost her.

Ang1e_2

Sorry, should have also said the following:

In the event that your mum really can't scrape together the fees for any checks perhaps she should consider contacting one of the consumer programmes like Watchdog. Though if she does this she should probably focus more on the poor service provided by her supplier than on the fact that she thinks that her neighbour is stealing. Let them come to the conclusion as to what the causes of the problem could be and force the supplier to take action - after all that's what they do.

ceridwen

Yep - I have personally come across a household having stolen electricity from next door by tapping through into their electric supply. I believe the meter was on the mutual wall from what I recall. Where is the meter sited in your mothers case?

Echo the thought that your mother (in a panic - so understandable) might have been in a better position now (ie had a free check-up already) if she'd just told a "white lie" and said she thought her meter was faulty. I can easily see how an unperceptive jobsworth of fuel company employee might just have dismissed her mentally as "losing it a bit" - which I'm sure that isnt the case at all. Your mother has fallen victim to a stereotype in this power company employee's head. It would be best if you yourself contact the person in charge at the power company and put in a request for a free check of the meter.

Echo the thought of your mother turning off all her relevant electric when next door have just started their washing machine up and see if it mysteriously stops working at that point.

So - my plan of action would be:
1. I would contact a higher-up in the power company myself for a free meter check (after your mother has done her little "switch the electrics" off check a few times to check).

2. If need be - get an electrician in, explain whats happening re thieving neighbours and get him to change things as necessary electrically in your mothers house so that next door neighbours cant find a way to keep stealing.

A_T

She should definitely turn off her electricity when she hears the washer. If the washer stops leave it off for a few hours or even longer if she can cope.

Terrylw1

The Supplier and Local Distributor is responsible for investigating energy theft. However, this is where a form of tampering had been used i.e. meter or supply cut out point.

If she believes they have done this, tell the Supplier. They will investigate it but they often charge if they find nothing wrong. So, wise to switch everything off and see if the meter is still spinning.

If it's been tampered with in the fuse box, thats not the Suppliers issue as thats your property. They will help in rebilling your consumption correctly after it's all resolved (although you may have to stamp your foot on that a bit)

If it's the fusebox it's theft and needs reporting to the police. You do need to be absolutelt sure though because I'm sure she doesn't want more problems with unpleasant neighbours.

I would also suggest the CAB as they will give gher support with the utility company.

mkbean

Why not get an electrisave, then she can see exactly how much she is "using"

(you can get them on ebay)

roddydogs

Just wait till u see their lights on at night, then switch off !

jockettuk

and as for the being frightened of a police car outside your house why not explain and ask for a plain clothes and non marked car. ive done this when i didnt want to upset my elderly neighbour in my last house. she had been getting some grief from the local hoodies but didnt want to call police thinking it would be worse.. coppers came round and it all got sorted. hoodies just congregated outside her house as it had a bus stop with a seat in it.. coppers great so might be worth a call or pop into your mums local station..