This is for meters located inside the home, of course.
I recall 40 years ago being told by the previous owner that the power company had a key to our house but no one ever locked the doors so it didn’t matter.
The guy would knock on the door a couple of times, yell: “Meter Reader!” and let himself in. (Our doors are still unlocked.)
We were always supposed to have a clear path to the meter.
I do not recall ever being surprised by a meter reader.

Now we get a card in the mail that we send in and there is a yearly check that is announced way in advance.

Does anyone still have a meter reader who comes into your house?