I’ve done a terrible thing… what to do now

[Odetojoy]

Hi,

about 9 months ago I was really struggling financially. My dad had just died and I was in a very bad place.

I knew that I hadn’t been paying enough for my electricity and I was being badgered for a meter reading. Stupidly I submitted a lower reading. I’m ashamed of this and know it’s illegal.

im now in a better position and want to sort this. Do I just enter the actual reading now? I’m also considering just calling them up and being totally honest about what I did.

what should I do? Please don’t judge me - I know how bad this is

How would they even know unless you told them?

You’ve delayed payment, but you are still going to pay it whenever you give them an accurate reading. You may in fact end up paying them more if the price per unit is higher now than it was.

Crazy readings go unnoticed all the time. It’s not unusual for meters to be over or under reading for ages before anyone realises.

They won't care. Submit readings and pay when your account is updated.

I really don’t think very high op.

The point about “punishments” is to make sure it gets paid - which it will be by then.

Yes just do that.

In the very unlikely event that the supplier asks you about this you could just say the property was unoccupied during the period before the low reading. This is a non issue.

As suggested above enter the new meter reading, forget about what you did, and if ever faced with having to account tell the truth and say you were in a very bad place when you parent died. I know it took FIVE years to even make sense of my parents dying. Wishing you all the best.

Stop worrying! Just enter the correct reading and pay the difference.

As a PP said, they get incorrect readings all the time for all kinds of reasons and they dont report them all to the cops.

Even if they did (which they wont) the police arent going to be interested in that. I reported a taxi driver being under the influence recently and the police did absolutely nothing at all and that could have killed someone.

It will be fine OP
You are fretting and it's making you think of punishments and worst case scenario that aren't going to happen.

Our gas meter is never read by the provider. They send estimate bills each time. Every so often I enter the actual reading and the bill adjusts online and I pay a bigger amount. As PP says, nobody will probably even look at it. If they did, and ask, you can say you haven't had a reading in a while and realised you should do one.

Do it today and this will be behind you by Monday.

I wouldn’t worry about this in the slightest. You are going to pay the amount owed. I never take a reading when asked. Rarely have time. Don’t feel bad. I think you did a smart thing actually

Op in perspective, no human has been harmed by this action.

Pay it and make sure you have enough emergency funds in future so it doesn't happen and remember you can always call them and say you are struggling. That's the only lesson you need to take from it.

Also if you are really feeling bad about this - and I don’t think you should be- you can just call them today and say you need to submit meter reading because you’re worried about the bill. They will be very happy to sort it with you and will not care about the previous reading

I couldn't worry about this OP! It's great that you're now in a better position and can afford to clear it - be positive! Just put the right meter reading this time and pay it all off. For all they know you've been having hot tub parties every night of the summer and used a ton of electricity, It might put out your estimated bills in the future but just submit a reading each time and it won;t matter.

Don't give it another thought.

When we knew energy prices were about to skyrocket we added to our energy monthly for a few months . Last year we knocked off a few , so we paid less when the cost was higher . Going into this year , we are putting in what it is as we are a few hundred in credit .

You can make a one off payment into many accounts

Given that prices are going up in October if you can sorting it now might make sense either that or cotrect it gradually over the next year or so

Zero

why would they report you to the police for making a genuine error? Because it was a genuine error wasn't it?

well, if they are that interested in their money, they will have a way to catch up with you, don't worry about that. But people here are not right. You should be worried that you used lies and cheated. That is how this whole society operates???? That cheating, lies and immorality is ok?

Just ring them and say you gave the wrong reading.
I have done this because i didnt wear glasses and got the numbers wrong.
When i realised i rang them up sorted it out no big deal.
No police will come or be called.

Just submit the correct reading and pay what you owe.

It is SO easy to put the wrong numbers in by mistake anyway and must happen all the time. I've done it myself.

Don't worry!

was it according to you after reading the initial post. Thanks you don't work for the authorities

My brother has to go up a ladder with a torch to read his meter he is always getting it wrong.

zero, absolutely none.

lol is that all?

I was expecting from the title you'd killed a baby or had an affair with your brother or something.

It's such a non-issue.

It will be fine, just submit the reading. In the highly highly unlikely event that they ask why the previous one was lower, just say you were out of the house a lot at that time so you weren’t using much electricity. My usage fluctuates a great deal because of holidays for example.

Funnily enough I read my solar generation meter recently and got an error message.

I ended up sending them a picture and having to call the supplier

I wonder why this wasnt picked up, possibly something that would mean a prosecution would be hard to do.