Cable Theft

What is Cable Theft? — Simply put, it is the reception of any service offered over a cable system without paying for that service. Federal and state laws provide stiff penalties for such theft often resulting in criminal prosecution and money "damages." Since such theft has a tremendous financial impact, cable companies take it quite seriously.

Active theft can take numerous forms. Normally it occurs when a person makes an illegal connection to a cable company’s equipment — or has someone else do it. But it also includes using another person's wireless network to gain internet access or signing up for cable service utilizing a false identity. And don't be fooled — it definitely includes helping others in actively stealing such services!

Passive theft may be less blatant but is just as criminal. It occurs when someone moves to a new address and to his way of thinking “luckily” finds active cable service there. If this person does not contact the cable company to become a subscriber or to have his “’found” cable service disconnected, then he or she is considered guilty of passive theft.

How We are Fighting the Problem