I’m thinking that this kind of thing can happen more now because people don’t get traditional copperwire phones hooked up — they use mobiles, and can even watch tv over the internet — like in our neighborhood, both Starbucks and McDonald’s have free wi-fi. So all they need is electric.
If the electric company won't disconnect them, stop by at night and take a baseball bat to the meter.
“So all they need is electric.”
Call the electric company, and tell them you’re re-wiring the mains, and have them pull the meter. Try the same with the water. Depending on the meter, you might be able to turn the gas off yourself. Or report a gas leak! Don’t turn the water off yourself cuz you need a key wrench that only the water company is supposed to have. Doing it yourself might be a felony!