Sep 18, 2024
A family in Melbourne, Florida, is without power after Florida Power & Light says someone tampered with their electric meter, causing it to underreport electric usage. Michelle White, who lives in the home, told News 6 reporters a Florida Power & Light worker came to their home last Wednesday and turned off the power.
A letter taped on their door informed the family that “illegal tampering with FPL’s equipment has occurred at your location and that the tampering caused the meter to improperly under-register the electricity that your home has been using.”
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“We viewed the bill in the amount of $12,245.92,” White explained. “I was like — this has to be a glitch in the system.”
White says she has no idea who tampered with their meter. The family has been without electricity, including air conditioning, for a week and a half in 90-degree heat. They’re using a power generator to run their child’s nebulizer and a single AC unit.
“I have a kid who takes a nebulizer every four hours, and he has an oxygen machine,” White said. “I’ve even provided them with a paper from the provider saying they would need an extension. They don’t care about it. They don’t care about my kids.” White told reporters.
“The power company says the family is responsible for the bills ”
White’s boyfriend and the homeowner, Alvin Knight, said the family called FPL for maintenance after one of the power lines coming into their home caught fire. According to Knight, that’s when the company noticed the box had been tampered with. FPL replaced the box and never mentioned that the family would be held liable for any charges.
“I would have never called you had I known that it had been jumped,” he said. “It would make me look as guilty as… I don’t know what,” Knight told News 6.
When News 6 Reporters contacted FPL, spokesperson Kamrel J. Eppinger provided the outlet with a statement, stating :
“Customers are responsible for ensuring their meters are not tampered with. If tampering is detected, we may back-bill a customer or an account for unpaid and unauthorized electricity consumption and charge investigation fees, as permitted by the Florida Public Service Commission.”
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White claims that when she called FPL, they said they could restore the power in 24 hours — but only if she forked over $7,500.
“I said, ‘Who has this kind of money to throw down on one bill that they aren’t even responsible nor guilty for? Ma’am, this number just isn’t realistic,’” White wrote on an online fundraising page.
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How to tell if your electric meter is tampered with
Electric theft is a common problem. Specialty seals, such as the one the White family says their meter had, are often used to determine whether meters have been tampered with.
The first step to determining whether your meter has been tampered with is to give it a thorough inspection. If you see a broken seal or cords you don’t recognize, call the power company immediately.
You can also turn off all the breakers in your breaker box. This should stop all electricity from being used in your home. Then, check the electric meter. If it’s still running, that would indicate something is wrong. It could mean either some part of your home isn’t on a breaker, which is dangerous, or someone is stealing your electricity. Contact a certified electrician to check your breaker box, then call the power company.
If you believe the power company isn’t acting in good faith, contact your local Public Service Commission. This is a state-level agency responsible for making sure residents receive essential services, such as gas and electricity, in a safe and reliable manner.
While Florida statutes do allow power companies to turn off power for nonpayment, your state may have restrictions. Illinois, for example, restricts power companies from turning off power in extreme weather conditions, if you’re on a payment plan, or if anyone who lives in your home is on active deployment. Depending on your state, you may have additional rights.
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Danielle is a personal finance writer based in Ohio. Her work has appeared in numerous publications including Motley Fool and Business Insider. She believes financial literacy key to helping people build a life they love.
