Abstract: A utility meter endpoint measures consumption of a commodity such as water, gas, or electricity, includes a configurable function for detecting the presence of an abnormality in consumption such as leaks, tampering, short-circuits or other malfunctions, or unauthorized bypassing of the meter, and the like. The endpoint can take multiple samples according to a configurable time schedule, and test the usage pattern against programmable criteria that reflect certain types of unusual activity or other problems. If the criteria are satisfied, the endpoint can report the occurrence of the unusual event to the AMR system during its usual communications cycle or by initiating a special, unscheduled communication to signal an alarm condition.