Cheap TV? Why You May Be Committing Fraud

The film "The Cable Guy" gave everyone an inside look at the horrible things that can occur from getting free cable, but in reality, the consequences of doing so can be much worse. Card sharing, for instance, is when one legitimate satellite or television cable subscription is used to supply unapproved homes with cable television. Many people don't realize that this and other forms of cable sharing or stealing are considered federal crimes, and this can lead to severe consequences for unsuspecting individuals.

How easy is Card Sharing to discover?
Many people consider card sharing and other means of getting free cable to be a victimless crime, so they don't see the big deal in doing it. The likelihood that they'll engage in this crime also increases with the belief that cable companies and law enforcement agencies cannot find out about the activity unless they actually come into their home and see it occurring. Unfortunately for too many unlucky souls, they find out the hard way that this isn't true.

For card sharing to be possible, data from the legitimate subscription card must be shared with others via some type of network connection (i.e. the Internet). As many would-be cyber criminals have discovered, however, an IP address can tell authorities exactly where a person is working from. This means that once it's discovered that someone is sharing cable or satellite television, everyone that they're sharing it with is traceable.

Penalties for engaging in Card Sharing
Like most laws, the penalties related to card sharing are going to vary between different states. As any criminal lawyer, whether it is a Charlotte criminal attorney or a defense lawyer in Georgia, will tell you certain crimes that could result in a year of jail time in one state may only warrant a fine in another. Stealing cable or satellite television, however, is considered a federal crime, and this means perpetrators will be punished severely regardless of where they are.

It's important to note that all states have laws against card sharing, so state penalties are a definite possibility. Federal law, however, states that anyone who obtains free cable or assists someone else in doing so is guilty of a crime that is punishable by a fine of up to $1,000 and a jail sentence not exceeding six months. In addition, the perpetrators may all face civil lawsuits which can end in court ordered penalties of up to $50,000.

Making Money from Card Sharing
As with most crimes in America, the government looks more harshly on those who engage in crimes while receiving financial gain for doing so. This means that penalties for those who sell illegal cable or satellite services are much heftier than those faced by individuals who receive free cable or simply share it with others.

U.S. law states that any person who engages in card sharing and other illegal activities related to satellite and cable television can be imprisoned for up to two years. The legal fines imposed on them can also go up to $50,000. For subsequent convictions, an individual can face five years in prison and a fine of $100,000. These penalties are of course in combination with the aforementioned civil damages.

Few people realize the seriousness of satellite or cable television card sharing. It may be hard for some to fathom, but the action is considered fraud throughout the United States and in several other countries. The wide availability of cable and satellite television providers these days makes low-cost television viewing easily within range, so it's not a good idea to risk serious jail or prison time just to save a few dollars every month.

Georgina Clatworthy is a freelance writer who was formerly editor for a respected legal blog.  She understands that some consumers may be duped into fraudulent activities without realizing the potential consequences, which is why Charlotte criminal attorney firm, Powers McCartan PLLC offer experienced legal defense services to those charged with criminal acts such as fraud.