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Rank 2
June 16, 2023
Solved

Can Energy Suppliers manipulate smart meter reading remotely?

  • June 16, 2023
  • 43 replies
  • 13548 views

I’ve heard that energy suppliers can remotely control smart meters in order to even cut off the energy supply to a certain property. It made me wonder if they can remotely override the meter reading by adding extra units on top of the actual usage regularly. If they have remote control access to it, when/if a customer complains regarding an abnormal increase, they can even remotely adjust it so that the meter would not be seen as faulty during any inspection.

 

Is there a guarantee or a way to validate that this would never happen to smart meter users? 

Best answer by Blastoise186

Updated on 17/04/26 by Abby_OVO

 

Hi,

Firstly, the ability to remotely disconnect is heavily locked down and comes under the exact same rules as getting a warrant to force disconnection i.e. it is an absolute last resort.

 

As for meter readings, no these cannot be remotely adjusted or changed under any circumstances. Firstly, there’s not even a SMETS Command for it and no SMETS Command means it can’t be done. Secondly, doing such a thing would be highly illegal and Ofgem would probably catch on rapidly. And thirdly, security measures on the meters themselves makes pulling off such a stunt almost impossible anyway.

 

Likewise, there is no option to modify, change or adjust the reading locally either. The only way the reading can change is when it is measuring energy in the course of normal usage or while being tested. If memory serves, the ONLY way to modify a reading on a Smart Meter is to return the entire unit back to the manufacturer and have the manufacturer do it. However, by that stage chances are the meter won’t be put back into service in the field anyway.

 

I know what those measures are, but it’s a bit of a secret so I can’t discuss it here as I don’t want to give away any clues that could enable tampering (nor do I want the liability risks either).

 

Information on smart meter data security can be found at this link. We also have a helpful topic on the Forum which might be of interest here:

 

43 replies

Rank 1
October 9, 2026

This is an interesting discussion, especially the distinction between an unusually high bill and unusually high energy consumption. Comparing actual meter readings over the same period, checking the unit rates, and reviewing half-hourly usage data can help identify where the difference comes from. If the figures still seem inconsistent, keeping dated meter readings and requesting an official meter accuracy test are sensible next steps. Smart meters can make monitoring easier, but understanding the data and knowing how to challenge a potentially incorrect bill are equally important for consumer confidence.