Hotline of power engineering specialists:
IDGC of Centre conducts systematic work to prevent the use of "modified" meters, magnets and other devices capable of distorting the actual consumption of electric energy by dishonest consumers.
Specialists of the security unit in all regions of the company’s service area (11 subjects of the Central Federal District) regularly monitor the Internet, identifying sites that distribute information about these devices. During 2017, power engineers discovered about 165 such network resources. Measures were taken to prevent the dissemination of the data mentioned.
It should be noted that the most effective way to counteract such sites is to block them in accordance with Art. 15.1 of Federal Law of 27.07.2006 N 149-FZ "On Information, Information Technologies and Information Protection". The basis for inclusion of the site in the Unified Register of Domain Names is, among other things, the court decision that entered into force on the recognition of information prohibited for distribution.
In 2017, the security unit of IDGC of Centre initiated 30 requests to the supervisory authorities on the blocking of sites that advertise devices used to distort readings of meters and to prosecute persons who distribute them. As a result of their consideration, prosecutors of the regions sent lawsuits to the courts, which, in turn, passed decisions on blocking sites where such information materials were placed. In total, following the results of 2017, 103 such decisions were made.
As noted in the security unit of IDGC of Centre, advertising on sites of devices that can stop or distort readings of electric energy meters and instructions for their use, their sellers, as a rule, keep silent that their use is unlawful and easily detected by power engineers. In the end, instead of the expected savings, violators are seriously penalized.
In accordance with clause 2 of the "Basic Principles for Operation of Retail Electricity Markets", the consumption of electric energy in violation of the procedure for metering electric energy on the part of the consumer, expressed in interfering with the operation of the meter, is a non-metered consumption. This is a serious offense for which administrative and criminal responsibility has been established.
First, it is about the fine: for citizens - up to fifteen thousand rubles, for officials - up to eighty thousand rubles (or disqualification for up to two years), for legal entities - up to two hundred thousand rubles. If the actions contain the signs of a criminal act, the offender may be punished with a fine of up to three hundred thousand rubles or in the amount of the salary or other income of the convicted person for a period of up to two years, or imprisonment for up to two years with a fine of up to eighty thousand rubles or in the amount of the wage or other income of the convicted person for a period of up to six months or without it and with restriction of freedom for a term of up to one year or without it.
In addition, it should be remembered that unauthorized connection to the power source can lead to malfunctions in the operation of grid equipment, electric shock, and also often causes a fire.
IDGC of Centre asks citizens to report cases of unauthorized connection to grids. This can be done by contacting Distribution Zones of any of the company’s branches, or by calling the 24-hour toll-free direct line of power engineers at 8 800 50 50 115 (free of charge).