Patent ID: 8615217

Claim:
A method for detecting and mitigating fraud in a distributed monitoring system which includes fixed-location monitoring and communication devices, the method comprising: receiving a signaling message that originates or appears to originate from a wireless communication device that is associated with a fixed-location smart meter that performs at least one of monitoring and control of a resource, wherein the wireless communication device is responsible for communicating information generated by the smart meter over a network; determining whether the signaling message indicates an expected location of the wireless communication device, wherein determining whether the signaling message indicates an expected location of the wireless communication device comprises retrieving location information associated with the wireless communication device and comparing the location information with corresponding expected location information, wherein the corresponding expected location information is provisioned by a network operator or a service provider; and in response to a determination that the signaling message does not indicate an expected location of the wireless communication device, initiating a mitigating action.