My electric bill went up $400 for no reason, then I checked the power box and was shocked by what I found.

An Australian man was shocked to learn why his electricity bill had risen by a staggering $400.

The Sydney resident initially struggled to determine what had caused the sudden price increase, but then made the infuriating discovery after investigating his unit’s power source.

To his surprise, he said that a neighbor had plugged his extension cord into the outlet in the communal electrical box.

Not knowing how to react, she sought help on Facebook, writing: “After doing some research, I saw that one of the other two tenants in the flat regularly uses our socket. What do you recommend?”

Others couldn’t believe how brazen the neighbor’s behavior was and offered advice, with some taking a tougher stance.

“This person should be confronted,” one man said.

“Ask them for a refund, if they refuse, contact the police,” another added.

But many recommended a less direct approach to addressing the situation, suggesting speaking directly to strata managers to get the issue resolved.

Others said plugging a power cord into someone else’s socket was, at the very least, “rude.”

One thought the only appropriate response was for the man to use his neighbor’s outlet and see how he liked it.

“Close yours and start using theirs for the same amount of time they’ve been using yours, they might politely ask you to stop,” she suggested.

“Cut the ropes,” another man said.

While most were certain the neighbor’s behavior was deliberate and not an honest mistake, others said it was best not to assume anything.

“Maybe they don’t realize their mistake. You’d be surprised how stupid some people are,” one woman said.

“Have the strata replace all electrical outlets with lockable ones,” another advised.

Many noted that most hardware stores sell covers and locks that are easy to install over any outlet.

One woman took a more compassionate view of the matter, telling the original post’s author that the theft was likely due to hard times.

“He leaves a little basket of fruit on their doorstep acknowledging that they are obviously in financial difficulty to resort to seizing power without asking,” he said.

‘Then explain to them that since we are all going through similar difficulties, you have put a blocking device in place… wish them the best, be mindful and kind.’

A recent dispute between neighbours over parking in the Sydney suburb of Liverpool erupted into an “all-out war” after a Hindu family was attacked by their neighbours.

The family accused their neighbors of vile acts, including smearing their mailbox with feces.

The dispute continued even after the family, who admitted both sides were at fault, moved 20 kilometres away.

“He keeps driving past our house and honking his horn, we don’t know how they got our new address and the police aren’t doing anything,” the family told Daily Mail Australia.