With rising energy costs, electricity theft is more prevalent than ever in the Lonestar State and around the country. Stealing electricity is surprisingly easy, especially if you own multiple homes or have a vacation home. While it might not seem like a big deal at first, it's possible for your electricity bill to double, triple, or even more if one or more people are stealing your electricity.
If you think or know that someone is stealing your electricity, GoodCharlie Energy has the answer for what to do. Stealing electricity is immoral and illegal, but it's also tough to know when it's happening. Electricity thieves are tricky and have ways of covering up their tracks. However, GoodCharlie Energy also has tips about telling if someone is stealing your power and what to do about it.
- Is It Illegal to Steal Electricity in Texas?
- What Type of Crime is Electricity Theft, and What is the Penalty for Stealing Electricity in Texas?
- How do People Steal Electricity?
- How to Know if Someone is Stealing My Electricity
- What Should I do If I Know Someone is Stealing My Electricity?
- Is My Electricity Safer With GoodCharlie Energy?
Is It Illegal to Steal Electricity in Texas?
It is absolutely 100% illegal to steal electricity in Texas. Electricity is like any other commodity in that it's meant to be enjoyed by the person who is paying for it. While it doesn't seem like a big deal because electricity isn't something you can see, feel, or hold, it most definitely is. Whether someone is stealing electricity from another person's home or business or directly from the electricity company, it's never ok to steal.
In fact, stolen electricity is a big enough deal in Texas that the state penal code has an entire section dedicated to it. It's covered by Texas Penal Code 31.04 - Theft of Service, which states that it's stealing anytime someone provides a service with the expectation of compensation but doesn't receive any. Therefore, anytime someone takes your electrical services, they're stealing from you, whether you know it or not.
What Type of Crime is Electricity Theft, and What is the Penalty for Stealing Electricity in Texas?
The penalty for stealing electricity in Texas depends on how much power you stole and who you took it from. It also depends on how often you've broken the law before this infraction.
- Class A Misdemeanor
If you steal between $500 and $1,500 worth of electricity, it's considered a Class A Misdemeanor. You could face up to one year in jail plus a $4,000 fine.
- Class B Misdemeanor
If you steal between $50 and $500 worth of electricity, it's considered a Class B Misdemeanor. You could face up to 180 days in jail plus a $2,000 fine.
- Class C Misdemeanor
If you steal less than $50 worth of electricity, it's considered a Class C misdemeanor. You will be subject to a $500 fine, which is ten times what you stole.
- Felony Charges
Felony charges for electricity theft in Texas are the most serious and the rarest, but they do happen. Stealing more than $1,500 worth of electricity is considered a felony crime in Texas. You could face up to 20 years in prison and be subject to a maximum fee of $10,000.
How do People Steal Electricity?
In general, there are three different ways that people steal electricity from you or your power supplier.
They Use an Extension Cord
One of the easiest but most obvious ways people steal electricity is simply by plugging extension cords into outlets outside your home. If you live at home and pay attention to your property, you'll easily be able to see this happening. However, spotting this act won't be as easy if the theft occurs at a vacation home or where you don't live full-time.
They Tap Into Your Power Lines
It's also possible for electricity thieves to skip the extension cord and tap directly into your electric meter or the cables bringing power to your home. Be on the lookout for extra wires on your electric meter or unexpected electricity bill spikes.
They Tap Into the Electricity Companies Power Lines
In the same way that culprits can tap into your electricity lines, they can also tap directly into power lines from the source - your electricity company.
How to Know if Someone is Stealing My Electricity
You don't have to be Sherlock Holmes to know when someone is stealing your electricity. You simply have to be aware of your property and things that are occurring on the premises. Here are several ways to know if you're the victim of electricity theft.
Unexpectedly High Electricity Bills
The best way to detect whether or not your electricity is getting stolen is through your electricity bills. If they're suddenly much higher than typical, there's a good chance someone is stealing your power. From there, you can perform a few tests to determine whether or not this is happening.
The Meter Check
The meter check is a test where you turn the power off to your home by flipping the main power switch on your breaker box. With the power completely dead, go outside and check your electric meter. Someone has probably tapped into your electrical meter if the dial is still spinning or the digital number keeps going up.
Unknown Cords on Your Land
Another thing you can do is perform regular inspections around your property for unknown electrical cords and wires. If someone is stealing your electricity, they have to connect a wire somewhere. If you find any strange cables, you should contact an electrician and have them inspect the wires or cords.
What Should I do If I Know Someone is Stealing My Electricity?
If you believe that someone is stealing your electricity, you should first contact the authorities and notify them. Next, contact your service provider and explain what's happening. Unfortunately, not all electricity companies are as understanding as GoodCharlie Energy and might not reimburse you for damages or lost electricity.
Is My Electricity Safer With GoodCharlie Energy?
At GoodCharlie Energy, we understand that electricity theft isn't your fault and that you're the victim. If you're one of our customers and you think someone is stealing your electricity, contact us immediately. We'll do our best to ensure the culprit is caught and you're reimbursed for your lost electricity.
If you're not an existing customer and you've been burned by electricity thieves in the past, contact us to start making the switch today! While we can't guarantee that your electricity will never get stolen, we can ensure that we'll make things right if it does. We'll also help you monitor your power usage to know when your electricity bill is higher than average.
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