Tapping of my cable broadband line

vfr-owner · 09-03-2007, 14:48

Hi,

My broadband connection suddenly broke down and I could not get back online. A Telewest technician was here today and checked the cable.

Someone was tapping my line!

It was a single cable from my flat (2nd floor) down to the street. Someone from a first floor flat just tapped my cable.

What would you do? Can I report this to the police?

I had connection problems for many months due to this.

I would be grateful for any advice.

Regards,

Frank

Horace · 09-03-2007, 14:52

It's theft of service and damage to Virgin's property, I would of thought they would prosecute and give you some kind of discount/deal/credit.

Paul K · 09-03-2007, 14:56

Make sure it is reported back to VM by yourself and the tech if possible, theft of service is something which should not be tollerated especially when it affects the service provided to others.

NTLVictim · 09-03-2007, 15:26

Is it a civil or a criminal offence? anyone know?

I should imagine tapping the cable is criminal damage..

bw41101 · 09-03-2007, 23:09

Civil would mean that an individual/organisation suffers the damage to property and would (under usual circumstances) sue for compensation against the perpetrator.

Criminal (enforceable by the police) would mean that an act against statute was committed, I.e theft of which the perpetrator could be convicted.

I would (to cover your own back) take the advice (of the people in this thread) and report the issue to your service provider ASAP.

Note! the above is for information only and does not constitute legal advice in any way shape or form.

Si thee

richardrichard · 11-03-2007, 10:37

hi,
just to make you aware the cable you have running to your flat
should be in trunking to stop people getting on it

but in case you didnt know they havent tapped your broadband they have tapped a catv feed to your flat
they cant get on your broadband or use a service your paying for without your equipment

regards

richard

Ramrod · 11-03-2007, 10:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by vfr-owner

Hi,

My broadband connection suddenly broke down and I could not get back online. A Telewest technician was here today and checked the cable.

Someone was tapping my line!

Holy sh*t!

Nikesh · 11-03-2007, 10:43

Didn't the technician say anything about it?

Jon T · 11-03-2007, 10:46

Quote:

Originally Posted by richardrichard

hi,
just to make you aware the cable you have running to your flat
should be in trunking to stop people getting on it

but in case you didnt know they havent tapped your broadband they have tapped a catv feed to your flat
they cant get on your broadband or use a service your paying for without your equipment

regards

richard

not quite true Richard,

If someone has tapped into the coax feed to the flat then they have the full range of signals available, which includes will include broadband. All they need is a cable modem(easy enough to get hold of) with a MAC address that is valid and active on the NTL service(probably cloned from a legit modem).

richardrichard · 11-03-2007, 11:44

i didnt say that i said they are not using a service that the upstairs flat
is paying for like bb or the phone ie the upstairs flat will not get a bill for the downstairs flat if u get me

Jon T · 11-03-2007, 12:03

Quote:

Originally Posted by richardrichard

i didnt say that i said they are not using a service that the upstairs flat
is paying for like bb or the phone ie the upstairs flat will not get a bill for the downstairs flat if u get me

I skim-read your post Richard, I know what you mean now i've gone back ancd read it again.

Tapping the feed could still bugger up legitimate service though, it must play havoc with power levels.

richardrichard · 11-03-2007, 12:08

too true

info4u · 11-03-2007, 18:37

I would say it sounds like theft and criminal damage

Since people are getting the service for free.
However without a STB and a paired up smart card they wont be able to watch the TV.

If its your PHONE they have tapped into then its a criminal offence in respect to invasion of privacy, since they can heavesdrop on the call, fraud, since they can make calls on your expense and costs.

Virgin is more than likely the company that will take action on behalf of your self and company loss of earnings

1) Crediting you back with costs of calls you didnt make
2) Loss of TV credits

They wont credit you back for the service if you was able to use it as you have received what you pay for, its your neighbour who gets stuff they shouldnt

3) They may also have them checked for a TV licence which may explain why they have tapped into your line, as they will only get the basic 5 channels and sky1 (when it was available) and shopping channels
As they are using a cable connection I dont think they get detected by the TV licencing people, subscribing to the service its self means they pass the info on to the tV licensing people, therefore putting them in risk of a fine if they arent paying.

4) its mainly the company that is affected than your self

But thats my personal opinion on this