The Public Utility Commission is currently considering new rules relating to a very important and thorny issue: meter tampering. That is, on occasion a private individual may improperly disconnect, rewire or otherwise alter an electric meter in such a way as to reduce its usage measurements.
It”s an important issue for electric companies because meter tampering can result in a loss of revenue. As such, some companies want the PUC to grant them wider discretion to backbill customers with tampered meters.
And with the advent of advanced meters, such backbilling has become a much easier proposition for utilities. But it”s also true that a back-billed customer may have had nothing to do with the tampering — in fact, that customer may have moved onto the property after the tampering occurred, or the meter may have malfuctioned for unrelated reasons. That”s why this issue is so thorny for home consumers.
A related issue involves so-called “switch-holds,” which would prohibit customers from changing retail electric providers until that customer has paid for charges relating to alleged meter tampering. Also, the Texas Apartment Association is seeking notification of meter tampering on rental properties. This presents privacy concerns for residents, especially residents who may have moved in after the tampering occured.
Comments from interested parties have been filed at the Commission, which will likely soon make a decision. You can read some of the comments here.
— Eileen McPhee
I just received a letter stating tampering of my electric meter, but how can this be possible if I am the original and only owner in my home, and I have not touch my meter and I certainly would not know how to do it. How come they are going to charge me for something I have not done. Is there any recourse with which I could fight this. It is not fair.
Just falsely accused of meter tampering by Coserv. Are try still looking for more discretion on this issue? My bill included a Tampering Fee. I called, and the lady stared it was obvious what happened. I was told I could view the meter, or photos at their office. After about an hour on the phone today, I asked to talk to a Supervisor, and after waiting about 10 minutes, they came on and said it was a mistake. They are going to return the meter now. Whoops. It’s really fun being on the phone with a company that is basically accusing you of stealing. I just hope the District Attorney wasn’t told about this.