Energy theft rises as fuel poverty levels soar

Reports of energy theft have increased as more people are turning to riskier ways to lower their energy bills.

Energy theft is a crime that involves tampering with a meter to try to pay less for gas or electricity by changing what it reads or bypassing it completely.

It’s also extremely unsafe because it can lead to gas leaks. Every year, 280 people are killed or badly injured from of energy theft.

Reports of energy theft to Crimestoppers have gone up by almost 50% since 2021/2022, although it’s estimated that up to 250,000 cases go unreported each year.

The cost of energy debt

No matter how much you’re struggling, you should never be tempted to tamper with your meter.

Not only is it dangerous, you could face up to five years in prison and be fined £2,000 or more if you’re caught, depending on the severity. On top of that, you’ll have to pay for the energy you stole and any work that needs to be done to fix of replace the meter.  

Fuel poverty on the rise

As soaring energy bills continue to be a major worry for millions of people, fuel poverty – when at least 10% of your income is spent on heating up your house – is growing.

Figures by charity National Energy Action show around 5.6 million households are now considered to be in fuel poverty, up from 4 million before the energy crisis.  

With the rise in people facing extreme financial difficulty, more people are turning to extreme measures to avoid getting deeper into debt.  

The Labour government say energy bills will eventually go down with their Great British Energy Bill, currently making its way through parliament, which will produce clean energy from solar and wind farms.

But more immediate measures are needed to tackle the record levels of energy debt – over half (53%) of the people who call us are behind on their bills.

We’re calling on the government to work with Ofgem to introduce a framework for suppliers so that all struggling customers are referred for free debt advice and a standardised range of repayment options are introduced, including debt forgiveness in certain cases.

Get help with energy costs

Talk to your energy supplier

If you can’t pay your energy bills, contact your energy supplier to find out what kind of help they offer. Ask them for more time to pay what you owe, for a payment break or reduction, or for access to any hardship funds.

Your supplier is legally required to work with you to agree on a payment plan you can afford.

Household support fund

People severely affected by the cost-of-living crisis may be entitled to help from the Household Support Fund (HSF). This government-funded scheme offers financial help, including help with utility bills, to vulnerable households through local councils.

Each council offers different types of support, so it’s best to check with your local council to see what help you could get. To apply, contact your local council or fill out an application on their website.

Find out if you’re eligible for support in our HSF guide.

Check your benefits entitlement

You can check you’re getting all the benefits you’re entitled to on our website or you can give us a ring.

Do you need money help?

If you’re behind on your energy bills, it may be time to ask for help.  

Effective budgeting can make bills feel a lot more manageable. If you reach out to us, we can create a free budgeting plan for you to stay on top of your costs.

We also give free advice around applying for grants and can talk you through some options if you’re in debt. Some of our debt solutions are free, and others have a fee.