How to Stop People From Stealing Cable TV

Prevent cable TV theft by locking your cable box.

Theft of cable television programming services isn't only a crime, it also costs honest people a lot of money. Unauthorized cable connects reduce the needed funds a cable company requires to pay for the infrastructure which brings the signal into the homes and businesses of those who do pay for their services. Due to the loss of funding, cable companies have to increase rates to compensate for lack of revenue. This equates to what could be termed a "theft tax" in the form of higher television rates. If someone else is stealing cable service, you most certainly do end up paying for that person's cable service.

Things You'll Need

• Small diameter padlock

Instructions

1. Walk to the cable television service box on the outside of the building and make special note of the seals and orientation of the box. Familiarize yourself with your cable box so you will be capable of noticing the effects of any attempted break-ins or disassembly. Also make note of how many cables go into and out of the box so you can recognize any added cables should someone successfully tap into your own cable box.

2. Install a lock padlock on your cable box, or call your local cable television company to come install one if one is missing. If supplying one of your own, make sure you are present if you are having your cable worked on so you may unlock the box. At that time, your cable technician may install her own lock on your box rather than having you to continue using your own.

3. Report, to your local cable television company, any suspicious people climbing poles and working with the cable line at the top. Unless a cable service pickup or truck is located nearby, chances are great that you are witnessing the illegal installation of a cable tap to the cable lines. Report this kind of activity immediately, as some cable television companies offer a free month of cable or some other reward for those who are reporting cable theft.

Tips & Warnings

• Never open your own cable box to "willingly share" your cable service with a friend or a relative in an adjacent room or apartment. This constitutes theft and could land you in very serious legal trouble.

• Don't attempt to make repairs on the cable system yourself, as this can be classified as "trespassing" or "vandalism" in some local jurisdictions. Always have a cable technician perform any repairs or additions to the cable servicing your home or office.

References

• Cable Theft: Report Cable Theft Online (General Reporting)
• Time Warner: Report Theft
• Charter Cable: Report Theft