I came out to my shop and found this notice a few weeks ago. I promptly call and Xcel states we removed the meter because the base tamper tag was removed. It's going to be $475 because we think it's been bypassed and I owe a tamper fine plus unmetered power use. I state yes the base is definitely damaged but I have no idea how or why and I won't pay anything. I call back and ask for a supervisor, and get the same story. I call again and talk to a supervisor and I'm told it's been bypassed since June2018, I ask why wasn't I notified in June and I'm told we don't like to confront customers. I'm speechless and say your telling me from June through October you've said nothing about this until now? Don't you physically see the meter every month? The supervisor can't understand why it would matter when I'm notified. I printed all my power statements and I see no huge difference in a 24 month period. The statement shows I normally overpay so I have a credit each month. The building owner is super cool and paid for a new meter base as a tenant is a electrical contractor in this complex. The pictures show the base is damaged and looks like it's been that way for a long time. I can't for the life of me figure this out and have dug my heels into the dirt over this. I cant see any situation where someone hooked up power and routed it somewhere else. I surely didn't touch the meter base only to still have about the same power bill every month for the last two years. My rants is over.
How far off the ground is that meter? The dirt in it makes me wonder if it flooded there at one time and someone removed the meter to shut off the power. It looks like it could have beeen like that for years.
I guess the most important question is, right or wrong, do you think you'll be able to win the fight against the power company? It sucks to be sure, but I don't know of many that would win this fight without a LOT of documentation and pics. Wish you luck in the fight.
A case of it is good to be king and you can't question them. Chicken $#!+ and they get away with it. Almost wants to make a guy want to clip the meter going to the office building the night they have their employee party this holiday season.
