Another sign of bad economic times is the growth of electricity theft. Nationwide, utilities are reporting a sharp increase in energy or electricity theft by both residential and commercial customers. They're pretty creative about the theft too.

Common energy theft methods including tampering with meters, stealing meters from vacant homes or lots, running utility wires directly into a circuit breaker, bypassing the electric meter, and attaching cables on either side of a meter are just some of the ways  energy theft is taking place.

To report energy theft, the Energy Crime Stoppers Hotline has been created and which is currently active in Arkansas, Colorado, Louisiana, Oklahoma, New Mexico, Texas, Utah, and Wyoming. The hotline is a direct response to the growing energy theft problem we are seeing in this country. When someone calls the Energy Crime Stoppers Hotline, the calls are referred to appropriate local law enforcement officers. Confidentiality and the promise of cash rewards upon an arrest and or conviction of fraud makes this hotline successful.

The Energy Security Council’s website, www.energysecuritycouncil.org also allows people to report an energy theft. The Energy Security Council (ESC) "is an international non-profit professional networking organization with a mission to enhance safety, security and business operations of its diverse member companies, corporations and associates."

Oh and here's the number should you ever need it: 888-645-TIPS (8477).