COLUMBUS, OH, April 26, 2005 - Don´t endanger your life or the lives of others. Electrical shock can result in serious injury or death. That´s what AEP Ohio has to say to anyone who considers tampering with electric meters. Doug Ickes, Manager of Meter Revenue Operations, urges citizens to consider the serious risks they pose to themselves and others when tampering with a meter or any electrical equipment.
 
          Electric meters record the amount of energy delivered by measuring the flow of electricity. AEP Ohio seals or tags each of its meters. This seal is meant to protect the customer, the general public and AEP Ohio employees.  It is very important that all meters remain sealed and secure. ”When seals or other equipment is tampered with, it is not only extremely dangerous but also illegal.“ said Ickes. Improper connections at the meter can cause fire at the meter and even inside the house. Public exposure, due to improperly sealed meters is a major safety concern, especially for children.
 
            AEP Ohio performs periodic inspections, to determine if meter tampering has occurred.  Deliberate meter tampering or attempts to divert service with intent to not pay constitutes theft of energy.  Any tampering with an electric meter is considered theft of electricity, and is a violation of state criminal codes. These crimes are punishable by fines and/or imprisonment.
 
          As defined by the Ohio Revised Code, tampering with utility equipment can be prosecuted by prima-facie evidence, which means the person who is financially responsible for the account is responsible and will be held liable.
 
         “Bottom line, if a neighbor or friend is reconnecting, breaking seals or tampering with meters in any way he or she is stealing.” Ickes explained. “That person is putting the homeowner at risk for criminal prosecution not to mention the serious safety issues.”
 
          Customers who notice any individual tampering with any electric meters or are concerned that a meter has been tempered with, should contact AEP Ohio immediately at 1-800-277-2177.
 
AEP Ohio provides electricity to 1.4 million customers of major AEP subsidiaries Columbus Southern Power, Ohio Power and Wheeling Power in Ohio and the northern panhandle of West Virginia. AEP Ohio is based in Gahanna, Ohio, and is a unit of American Electric Power.
American Electric Power owns more than 36,000 megawatts of generating capacity in the United States and is the nation´s largest electricity generator.  AEP is also one of the largest electric utilities in the United States, with more than 5 million customers linked to AEP’s 11-state electricity transmission and distribution grid.  The company is based in Columbus, Ohio.