Meter tampering is illegal, dangerous, and very costly to Grayson-Collin Electric Cooperative (GCEC) and its members. Since Members are the owners of the cooperative, meter tampering is actually stealing from you. We encourage members to report anyone they suspect of tampering with the electric meter or any GCEC electrical equipment.
Meter tampering, in any form, resulting in the theft of electricity is a crime under Texas law. It is not only a very serious legal offense, but it is also extremely dangerous. If GCEC discovers a meter or other electrical equipment has been tampered with or damaged, we will assess a charge and bill the Member of record for repair and/or replacement of the equipment. In most cases, we also alert the proper legal authorities.
If a GCEC meter serving a member has been tampered with or bypassed, GCEC may terminate service. Acts of meter tampering include but is not limited to, physically disorienting the meter, objects attached to the meter to divert service or to bypass, insertion of objects into the meter, and other mechanical and electrical means of tampering with, bypassing, or diverting electrical service or there has been a theft of electric service, criminal mischief, or having damaged or tampered with GCEC property under the Penal Code of the State of Texas.
GCEC may charge for all labor, materials, and equipment necessary to repair or replace equipment damaged due to meter tampering, any costs necessary to correct service diversion where there is no equipment damage, and incidents where service is reconnected without authority. An itemized bill of charges must be provided to the member. GCEC may estimate and bill the member for electric service.
If the Cooperative, its employees or agents discover evidence of meter tampering or attempts of meter tampering, the member of record will be charged a $250 meter tampering fee, in addition to any other charges which may be calculated for unbilled usage.