Energy theft costs utilities and their customers billions of dollars
nationwide each year. It's the honest paying customers who end up paying
the bulk of these costs in the form of higher rates. Just as shoplifting
creates higher prices on the products you buy, the same holds true for the
utilities you depend on daily.
In addition to financial damages caused by utility theft, it also presents
a safety hazard to persons and property. The actions taken to steal
electricity often create fire hazards that not only endanger the person
stealing the power, but also neighboring homes and families. An exposed
wire caused by theft also can pose a danger to children and pets.
It is both a crime and a safety issue to tamper with an electric meter with
the intent to restore your electric service. Duquesne Light takes this
matter very seriously, and can prosecute anyone found to have tampered with
an electric meter or a meter-locking device.
What Can I Do?
Please contact the Duquesne Light Energy Diversion Department if you observe
any of the following:
A person other than a Duquesne Light
employee working on a meter.
A person other than a Duquesne Light
employee digging near underground lines or tampering with overhead power lines.
Someone bragging about how low their
energy consumption or energy bills are because of bypassing their meter.
Someone running an extension cord to a residence
that has had its power shut off.
Anyone who appears to be using electricity, despite
having had his or her power shut off.
By reporting these types of incidents, you can help prevent safety and fire hazards,
reduce the effect energy theft has on your utility bill, and enable us to contact
these customers to provide legal and safe ways to have their power restored.
Oftentimes, there are assistance programs available that the customers may be
unaware of before resorting to energy theft.
Reporting Energy Theft
With your help, Duquesne Light can prevent energy theft from affecting your safety
and your utility costs. If you suspect energy theft, please submit the form below
or contact Duquesne Light Energy Diversion Department at 412-393-1775 or email us at
stop-theft@duqlight.com. All
information is confidential and may be submitted anonymously. If you wish to be
contacted, please include your name and number in the description of the problem.
