In high school I had a subject called Measurements in electrical engineering. The subject was mostly boring, but sometimes topics were interesting. While we were learning about electricity meter our teacher told us how people used to steal electricity. They would put their electricity meter at an angle so the needle would turn slower and the electricity bill at the end of the month would be smaller. There were other techniques like putting a magnet inside and slowing the needle like that. Some even went as far as digging the cables out of the ground and avoid their electricity meter and having a charge free socket.
Even it they had some savings, most of the time it wasn't worth it. People who got caught had to pay huge fines many times bigger than the money they saved. Our teacher also told us a story how some guys in America wanted to grow weed in their basement. They bought artificial lights that imitated sunlight and heating. Electricity suppliers have noticed that usage has increased by 2000%. They sent someone to see if something was wrong, but no one answered. They called the police who broke into the house and caught them in action. The funny part about the story is that if they have stolen electricity they would have never been caught.
Now that my county is entering 21st century our government has decided to replace all old analog meters with new digital ones who are more precise and can be controlled from their office. For them that is very important because before when you didn't pay their bills they had to send a man do turn off your power and the electrician would often be attacked and unable to do his work. The new meters have killed two birds with one stone but how beneficial will they be for the society only time will tell.
