Florida Family Faces $12K Electric Bill After Alleged Meter Tampering, Left Without Power in Heat

A family from Melbourne, Florida, is facing a distressing situation after their electric meter was allegedly tampered with, causing them to receive a shocking electric bill of over $12,000 from Florida Power & Light (FPL) and leaving them without power in sweltering 90-degree heat.

Impact of Electric Meter Tampering

The incident has left the family without electricity, including essential air conditioning, for over a week and a half, during which they were forced to rely on a power generator to run their child's nebulizer and a single air conditioning unit. The situation has had a significant toll on their well-being, as they continue to endure the oppressive heat.

Denial of Responsibility

Despite the bill's shocking amount, Michelle White, a resident of the home, expressed disbelief and frustration, claiming that they were not responsible for the meter tampering. In an unexpected turn of events, she revealed that FPL had informed them that "illegal tampering with FPL's equipment has occurred at your location and that the tampering caused the meter to improperly under-register the electricity that your home has been using."

Statement from FPL

Florida Power & Light has publicly stated that customers are liable for any tampering with their electric meters, involving potential back-billing and investigation fees, as permitted by the Florida Public Service Commission.

Turning Off Power for Immediate Payment

The family faced an even more distressing prospect when they were informed that FPL could restore their power in just 24 hours—but only if they could pay $7,500 upfront. Michelle White expressed her disbelief at the exorbitant sum, emphasizing their lack of guilt or responsibility in the matter.

In response to their predicament, the family embarked on an online fundraising campaign to gather the funds required for the power restoration. Furthermore, they sought to raise awareness regarding their challenges in the hopes of garnering support from the community and beyond.

Advice for Homeowners

The situation faced by the Melbourne family raises critical insights on how homeowners can protect themselves from potential electric theft or meter tampering. According to experts, it is crucial to examine electric meters for any signs of tampering, including broken seals or unfamiliar cords. If such signs are noticed, homeowners should promptly contact their power company for further investigation.

Additionally, homeowners should regularly inspect the electric meter to ensure its proper functioning. This entails turning off all breakers in the breaker box and verifying whether the electric meter continues to run. If it does, this may indicate potential tampering or theft, warranting immediate action.

Curtailing Power Cut Practices

Furthermore, homeowners must familiarize themselves with the regulations and protections specific to their state. For instance, while Florida allows power companies to disconnect service for nonpayment, certain states, like Illinois, impose restrictions on power cut-offs during extreme weather or when residents are on payment plans or active deployment.

In this challenging scenario, the Melbourne family is fighting against the hefty bill and the impact of being without power in extreme heat. Their experience serves as a cautionary tale for other homeowners to remain vigilant and proactive in safeguarding their electric meters and ensuring they are not victims of tampering or theft.

The distressed family's encounter with Florida Power & Light emphasizes the importance of customer education and awareness regarding electric meter tampering. Their plea for assistance during this distressing time underscores the need for utility companies to approach such situations with empathy, compassion, and a commitment to resolving disputes amicably.