Revenue protection experts were reluctant to point out how it's done, for fear of encouraging scofflaws, but did offer a few examples. The other way is to bypass the meter altogether. Wohler said there have been two deaths in the Los Angeles area in the last couple of years of people trying to illegally tap into the utility's power. Moyer said his investigators have found blood on some of their damaged equipment, but have recorded no deaths. Injury or death is a risk not only for the thief but also for neighbors whose homes might be set ablaze by sparking connections, and for the utility worker who goes out to investigate suspected misuse.
Utilities often use high-tech tools to uncover illegal users.
Computer profiles of customers will send up red flags if power use drops dramatically. For most utilities, tracking power thieves is left up to them. Generally, they simply seek repayment. And there seems to be no perpetrator profile.