Electricity Theft Is Dangerous, Costly for Co-op Members

The theft of electricity and related materials is a problem all electric utilities face—and it’s a problem for electricity consumers, too. Because Wharton County Electric Cooperative is member-owned, electricity theft could end up costing you money because it drives up prices for everyone.

Electricity theft also puts your personal safety at risk. Tampering with an electric meter can make it unsafe and unstable. When people steal electricity, they put themselves, their neighbors, family, and pets at risk for electric shocks, power surges, sparks, and fire from exposed voltage. Stealing electrical equipment can also pose a significant risk to the culprit, resulting in injury or even death from exposure to live electricity.

Electricity theft isn’t isolated to rural areas or big cities. It’s a problem utilities encounter from agricultural operations to housing complexes to offices from coast to coast. Although electricity can easily be acquired through a utility, some people are still willing to risk physical damage or loss of life just for free kilowatts. Others may not realize the serious legal and potential safety problems.

Keeping power safe and affordable is a priority for WCEC. That’s why we routinely inspect our meters and equipment to ensure we’re doing our best to protect you from the risks of electricity theft. We take a proactive approach to this serious problem, reducing theft and its related costs.

You also play a role in this process. Immediately notify us if you suspect someone is gaining access to our power supply without paying their fair share or by tampering with equipment. If you have information related to electricity or materials theft, please call us at (979) 543-6271. Rest assured, we’ll keep your name anonymous.

Because you share in the ownership of your co-op, when people steal from the cooperative, they’re stealing from you, too.