Turning your Electricity (Power) back on yourself?
Question:Ok a friend of mine had her electricity disconnected so her husband went outside and turned it back on. She has been making payments now but I am worried she will get in trouble...am I just paranoid?? Washington State
Answers:
Sometimes an electric meter is removed and then reseated in a different position by the electric company when they disconnect the service. This way there is no hole in the box, and they don't need a plate to cover the hole. Of course someone made a note of the last meter reading before they did this. So it won't be long before they know there's been tampering - and at least they will know exactly what to bill them plus some penalty for the tampering.
If they removed the meter outright, someone must have put some copper or aluminum to bridge the gap where the meter would go. This will likely be spotted by the meter reader. Then the fun part starts where they will have to "estimate" the value of theft of services.
Advise your friend that this is not a winning strategy.
Big trouble is in the future---not something you do without getting caught.
Your friend better notify the power company before someone is in hot water legally.
If the power company catches up with this she will indeed get in trouble. It is considered theft from a Utilities Company.
If the city who owns the equipment outside your house turns it off with written notice, you are committing a crime to turn it on yourself. It would be theft.
If you are concerned, call the city anonymously
I have a feeling she will get in trouble because there is a law against that. It's Thief
no you are not paranoid...this is illegal and you can be arrested for this..it is called theft of services and most all utility companies do prosecute for this and make you pay a tampering charge for doing this besides what you would owe..plus what you would have to pay in court and legal fees
and if you really piss of the utlity co, they will simply cut you off at the pole, and no one in their right mind would climb up a pole and attempt to recconnect it from there
She`s doing the right thing, he`s doing the wrong thing! Most power companies will work with you if you get behind in payments. If she`s showing an effort to make good on the debt, she should contact them to reconnect in a legal manner.
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