A method for authenticating a meter reading. The method includes obtaining a measurement representing a measured attribute of a user, analyzing the measurement to generate an authentication code, generating the meter reading based on the measurement and the authentication code, presenting, by the metering device, the meter reading to the user who alters and reports the meter reading as a reported meter reading, analyzing, by a meter reading analysis device, the reported meter reading to detect that the meter reading was altered by the user, and generating, by the meter reading analysis device and in response to the detecting, a dispatch request to dispatch a human inspector for validating the measurement.