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Original poster

ENERGY FRAUD … do I report ?

337 replies

bto35 · 06/12/2022 23:47

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 ?

OP posts:
BMW6 · 07/12/2022 09:26

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

Perhaps your neighbour will pay a bloke to interfere with their gas supply and it'll explode killing your children.

You're obviously fine with that. As long as no snitching going on eh. Twat.

Chimna · 07/12/2022 09:28

Twiglets1 · 07/12/2022 09:23

Yes even if there was a very small chance it could be dangerous, as in this case. In this case, I consider a gas explosion unlikely and it is not OPs main concern.

Show quote history

If your child was killed due to this, would you think fair one. Atleast the occupier saved themselves abit of cash?

OnlyFoolsnMothers · 07/12/2022 09:30

The OP can tell her friend about the danger- doesn’t have to dob her in as auch

user1471457751 · 07/12/2022 09:37

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

These companies aren't raking it in, though. Do you not pay attention to the news? A large number of energy suppliers have gone bust over the past year or two - clearly not that profitable an industry any more.

It's the fossil fuel companies (e.g. Shell, BP) who are raking it in. They aren't going to be impacted at all by this theft as they have already sold the supply to the retailer. So, no, this situation is not 'getting one up on a company that's raking it in'.

In fact, depending on what's been done to the supply, this situation could be putting people's lives at risk. But I guess that's OK with you as long as this man gets to continue his livelihood.

whatsup00 · 07/12/2022 09:42

IrmaGord · 07/12/2022 00:29

The likelihood is that the energy company will get suspicious at some point and send someone round to check the meters. There was something in the news today about EDF sending inspectors round to someone's house because their bill had dropped (albeit legitimately) and this was only for about £100 a month. They're going to notice if it's dropped by thousands.

This... they will get caught. There's too much proof and nowadays with things like smart meters everything's recorded. I would not try to steal gas/elec.

SkylightSkylight · 07/12/2022 09:43

LikeTearsInRain · 07/12/2022 00:09

Nobody likes a grass

Well maybe not, but people generally like people who stop them being blown up!!

@bto35 my issue would be the risk to life, so I'd report it may have been tampered with, IF you can't talk sense into him.

CellophaneFlower · 07/12/2022 09:43

OP, I'm not sure why you keep pointing out it's flats, shops etc. This doesn't make it any more worthy of reporting. Even if 1 (innocent) person gets injured, thats 1 too many.

Wdib78 · 07/12/2022 09:57

Doesn't have to be a faulty appliance to cause carbon monoxide poisoning.

ENERGY FRAUD … do I report ?
positivethoughts1 · 07/12/2022 09:59

I can't believe there are people here telling you not to report it because the "energy companies are raking it in". Gas theft (as well as electricity theft) is extremely dangerous, even more so in commercial properties due to the larger meters.

You can report it anonymously through CrimeStoppers.

crimestoppers-uk.org/keeping-safe/community-family/energy-theft

NewStartIn50s · 07/12/2022 10:03

report because energy has to be paid for by someone and if not the user then the other customers will be paying for it

Marmite27 · 07/12/2022 10:09

We’ve been very frugal with our gas (have a wood burner that heats the whole house). We have had a smart meter for 7 years. They turned up to read it last week. I’m pretty sure to check because we’ve not used much.

They’ll be out to check, if it’s changed as dramatically as you say.

Ponoka7 · 07/12/2022 10:21

I'd also like to point out that this isn't like reporting suspected benefit fraud. There's no threat to the money the person has coming in. All they will do is send out an engineer to inspect the premises. If not on the fiddle, no harm done. If it is, then lives could be saved.

been and done it. · 07/12/2022 10:38

vera99 · 07/12/2022 05:56

I would ascertain the method that they are using. If it is a non dangerous method i.e. the supply hasn't been tampered with in anyway ask yourself if this is really your friend. Reporting them could end up with them in prison, their business collapsed and possible huge implications for their life - and some of that responsibility would lie on you.

If it has been tampered with intrusively I would underline to them with some force as to the danger they are putting themselves in and others.

How on earth is she supposed to ascertain that? She's not secret squirrels.

Againstmachine · 07/12/2022 10:45

The people using terms such as grass's and snitch, are you for real, someone has to pay for this theft and it will be law abiding bill payers. Also it is potentially very dangerous.

If the business can't afford gas at normal price doesn't mean you get to steal it.

GasPanic · 07/12/2022 11:01

Always interesting to see the level of hypocrisy.

Drunk driver, report report report because they might kill someone.

Don't use a car seat for one trip, go berserk because there may be a one in 100000 chance of a dangerous accident.

Messing around with the gas supply don't report because, err, it might only wipe out people in the immediate vicinty ?

Or am I missing something.

Insaneinthemembraneee · 07/12/2022 11:03

They're putting people who live above at serious risk also neighbouring businesses/flats of course you should report it!
PEOPLE COULD BE KILLED FFS 🤦🏻‍♀️

chercez · 07/12/2022 11:12

Insaneinthemembraneee · 07/12/2022 11:03

They're putting people who live above at serious risk also neighbouring businesses/flats of course you should report it!
PEOPLE COULD BE KILLED FFS 🤦🏻‍♀️

Exactly this. I would report only from a safety issue. You don't fuck about with gas.

Frabbits · 07/12/2022 11:23

Totally report it.

It's illegal and potentially dangerous.

mrsharrisgoestoparis · 07/12/2022 11:28

I suppose when this person gets a prison sentence you will feel better about yourself and will be there offering sympathy?

Shade17 · 07/12/2022 11:38

Wdib78 · 07/12/2022 09:57

Doesn't have to be a faulty appliance to cause carbon monoxide poisoning.

You need combustion to be taking place to produce carbon monoxide. I don’t see any way that tampering with a meter can generate it. You can cause a gas leak but that with be natural gas and is likely to cause an explosion.

Bintymcbintface · 07/12/2022 11:44

What they're doing is wrong but it's absolutely none of your business. Why are you privvy to what their bills are anyway?

Keep your beak out

Againstmachine · 07/12/2022 12:13

I suppose when this person gets a prison sentence you will feel better about yourself and will be there offering sympathy?

That is a choice they made by messing about with gas, choices have consequences. I give more of a shit about people being put in danger but that's just me.

Chimna · 07/12/2022 12:17

mrsharrisgoestoparis · 07/12/2022 11:28

I suppose when this person gets a prison sentence you will feel better about yourself and will be there offering sympathy?

There is a reason you get a prison sentence for this. Do you hand out tea and sympathy to murderers too? The nutters are out in force today..

RaRaRaspoutine · 07/12/2022 12:21

A guide for those of you who fancy a bit of rebellion: someone stealing baby formula = don't report. Someone doing something that could kill people = do report. Easy enough to parse the moral issues between the two.

Loics · 07/12/2022 12:22

Yes, do report it. If they aren't committing fraud, no harm done.

As for the prison sentence, a good way to avoid one is not to break the law. If they have been capping their gas, they did so knowing it's illegal and what types of punishment could ensue - their choice.