Electric company doesn't know who I am. Can I get away with this?

Factual Questions
1

I’ve been living in an apartment in Manhattan since January of this year. When we moved in we neglected to call the electric company (Con Edison) and identify ourselves for billing purposes. As time went on, the notices became increasingly hostile and a few weeks ago they finally shut our juice off. We called them, and without identifying ourselves learned that we would have to fax them a copy of our lease and other ID- a process which could take a few days. Fortunately, my clever roommates and I discovered the process by which our plug was pulled, and simply reversed it. Our decision was intended to be only a temporary fix, but as it were we took for granted our free zap and ignored their further notices. (Apparantly they didn’t find it weird that it was magically restored.)

Now that my internship is ending iI’m preparing to move back to Boston next week. The question still troubles me slightly though- Is there anyway the electric company can discover who I am? My roomamtes are concerned that Con Ed may contact our landlord/realty requesting information from our lease in an attempt to collect the debt. I wouldn’t think that our realtor would have any more right to release our information to Con Ed thyan they would to Tony the loan shark. What legal right do I have to remain an anonymous tenant? Can I get away with this? Am I an ass for trying to skip out on my bill?

2

Your story brings to mind a few words: deadbeat, theif, fraud. I am sure that it is hypothetical, however, because you wouldn’t be asking for the SDMB’s help to break the law.

That being said…

Your landlord can give out your information to Tony the Shark and/or to Con Ed with impunity. Nothing in the law (AFAIK) prevents your landlord from giving information about you to anyone who may ask.

In addition, I would count on either Con Ed or the next residents contacting the landlord about this situation.

If you don’t pay, the landlord is left on the hook for the money. I wouldn’t count on him sitting idly by and letting you get away with it whether you’re back in Boston or not. The landlord probably has enough information about you and your roommates to screw up your credit for a long time to come. And, if necessary, he will sue you. Landlords do that ALL the time.

3

>> Am I an ass for trying to skip out on my bill?

Yes. A dishonest ass. A thief.

4

Thanks DB. I guess thats the swift boot to the groin I needed. Ill turn myself in this week.

5

Also, the power company will dicover your tampering and may file charges for theft of service.