Experts say the evidence leading to a tampered-with electricy meter is not hard to miss.
Chris Sims, director of public information says LP&L has an active tampering department that specifically monitors meter tampering and theft of services.
"What we look for with meter tampering is that this seal that can only be removed by us correctly, is cut, or someone has taken it off," Sims said.
"When a read occurs if there's something that doesn't look right, some indication that tampering may be occuring with that meter, our meter readers then turn that over to our tampering department," Sims said.
Kendall Stanaland is and LP&L employee, he said there are two main types of meter tampering.
"Meter re-connect tampering would be when we have disconnected someone's electric services and they've taken it upon themselves to turn themselves back on," Stanaland said. "We have roughly 20 to 30 of those a week."
Stanaland said re-connect tampering is most common, especially during the summertime.
"Theft-to-utility tampering is when someone has actually tampered with their service in order to keep it from being metered," Stanaland said.
This type of meter tampering could result in criminal charges and even a state jail felony, Stanaland said.
Sims said hefty fines are to be expected regardless of the type of tampering found.
"The charges from any electric utility are not there for punishment," Sims said. "They're there for a deterrent to keep people safe, to keep people from removing meter and exposing themselves to electricity."
LP&L Employee Steve Comey said most people that tamper with their meters try to remove it themselves.
"The meter would be like a small bomb in their hand," Comey said.
Comey said they usually aren't prepared for the injuries.
"Burns, most of the time it's burns, and we do get 2nd and 3rd degree burns," Comey said.
Sims said the tariffs LP&L have put into effect can be expensive, but the intent is to prevent customers from getting hurt.
