My meter simply broke and started to log 5 times the actual power use. I switched off every circuit except a 100W bulb in the crawl space and told them about it. Naturally they said it is not their problem, but my frige (or something) has gone bad and using too much power. Finally after a lot of calls and two bills that were about 5 times higher than normal, they came and replaced the meter.
But an inaccurate meter is a violation of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, and if they have too many of them for too long, they can be levied heavy fines DAILY by FedGov. I have PERSONALLY gone out on "verification" trips with the meter techs to meters at residences to ensure the accuracy of the meter register against the electronics. I know they do this.
But facts are too inconvenient for the unicorn fantasies of the "smart meters are so they can raise my power bill" crowd.