ENERGY FRAUD … do I report ?

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Hi. I’m really torn on this and not sure what to do if anything . Someone close to me has a business that uses a lot of gas and electricity of which with the rising costs are now thousands in debt .

They mentioned some time ago about knowing someone who could cap the gas meter for a fee . This would slow down the gas meter and produce a much lower bill but wouldn’t close it off completely.

the person close to me was previously paying about £550-600 a month in Gas and I’ve seen their last two direct debits have now dropped to under £100 a month for gas ( no way this is accurate ) they told me they didn’t get the gas capped because they couldn’t afford what they guy wanted paid to do it but it’s clear looking at the recent drop compared to the last 6 months that they have indeed done something to the gas .

Im annoyed because I too like all of us are paying a lot to even heat our homes and here is someone on purpose committing fraud and I believe it could be dangerous as this is a commercial business surrounded by flats above .

Do I report it or ignore it

Would they even take a report seriously ? Has anyone ever had to report for energy fraud ?

Irrespective of your decision but what happenes when the gas meter needs to be changed? Surely they'd be found out and end up going to Court.

Haha I don’t know why you’re focusing on me. If I knew a friend had been involved in a hit & run I would report them yes but I don’t hang out with people who would do such a thing. I do know someone who drinks a bit too much when they’re driving by my standards, but that doesn’t mean they wouldn’t face up to the consequences if they hit someone.
Haven’t you known anyone who ever drinks a bit more than you think they should when they’re driving? Would you immediately report them to the police if one of your friends or relatives did such a thing?

I do know someone who drinks a bit too much when they’re driving by my standards,

Out of interest, are your “standards” higher or lower than the legal limit?

My standards are the legal limit so now why don’t you answer my question?

I'm a great believer in minding my own business. UNLESS there's a safety risk. I could not forgive myself if there was an explosion.

Can I remind everybody about the explosion in Donegal in October, where 10 people died - cause unknown but probably gas related. Not saying that there was anything dodgy going on there, just that gas explosions can cause fatalities.

For that reason alone, I'd report.

For safety, yes. Spite, no.

The energy companies are the biggest thieves around, so good luck to anyone who can rob them.

The energy companies are not going to reduce their profit margins - so someone like this cheats other customers in the same way benefit fraud cheats taxpayers.

Cant believe anyone can even try to justify not reporting this.

because you said you would not report a friend for drink driving.

so I asked you a question

so your standards are “the legal limit” but your “standard” when it comes to drinking over the limit and driving falls well short of the law.

ok

My personal limit is within the law, I don’t drink and drive.

But I wouldn’t report a friend for drinking & driving. What’s so hard to understand about that? I expect that is another question you’ll ignore.

What’s so hard to understand about not reporting someone for drinking and driving?

Where to begin?

so I won’t

Maybe like has happened in Jersey today. Do you not understand that gas explodes when ignited?

Noticable that they are talking about possible criminal charges there

So if you were at a social event and you saw a friend/relative drinking a bit much & you suspected they were over the legal limit when they left you would report them would you? You’ve actually done that?

well for that example which is not at all what you said, would I report a friend for getting tipsy at event and then I leave early? Well no. On what grounds?

perhaps a more relevant example give you were ver clear that you **would not report a friend for drink driving” ie you were aware that they were or had actually been drinking and driving….

if I was at the pub with a friend who had been drinking and was clearly over the legal limit and then got her car keys and said she was driving home… after begging her to reconsider, if she was insistent… and so she drink and drove - then yes. I would report.

in the above scenario, you have clearly stated that you would, and I quote, “I would not report a friend for drink and driving”

I would. I would try and stop them driving first.

But yes, if they still were over the limit and wanted to drive I would report them.

But the my uncle was run over by someone over the drink drive limit. My uncle spent his last few years severally brain damaged. Couldn’t speak, had to be fed via a tube, couldn’t move is legs. Limited control over his arms, as he he could wave them about but that was it.

He was my god father and I don’t remember him before this. I do remember a man in a wheelchair who could only communicate by moaning and grunting and looking terrified the majority of the time.

So yes, growing up seeing what my family went through, I wills absolutely report someone over the limit.

If they leave and are stopped by the police and aren’t over the limit, there’s no issue is there?

What a bizarre question. Your question doesn’t even mention driving.

and we were discussing your stance that you would not report a friend for drink driving 😐

I am so sorry.

Drink driving really is despicable

So as long as your drink driving friends own up if they hit someone that's ok?

Strange morals you have right there. I wouldn't be hanging round with drink drivers regardless of whether they'd report an accident or not.

Wow, I thought it was 100% obvious I meant would you report them if they were driving.
I didn’t think anyone could misconstrue that but clearly I was wrong.
So you would report a friend for going over the legal limit if they were driving, fair enough. I don’t think most people in reality would do more than remonstrate with the individual concerned, but who knows.

I didn’t say it was ok. I don’t drink drive myself so clearly I’m not comfortable with it. However, the question under discussion is whether you would report a friend. My answer is No.

I’m just relieved you are in the minority re not reporting a friend for drink driving. I’ll bow out and hide this thread now as I find the idea that you would be aware of drunk driving and not report disturbing.

How do you know I’m in a minority? I’m genuinely curious how you can be so sure because I wouldn’t know the statistics myself

I’d be angry too but to report a friend/ relative. That’s a big thing.

So is the damaged drink drivers cause. A huge thing.

No one is denying that.