The theft of cable television and satellite services has been in the Tampa Bay limelight recently after an area man was arrested and charged with such a theft. The State Attorney's Office alleges that Sergio Soto, 36, who resides in Avon Park, stole close to $8,000 worth of services from DirecTV, which provides satellite television around the country. At the time of the theft, which allegedly occurred between August 2006 and August 2007, Soto was employed as a subcontractor who performed assignments for DirecTV. He allegedly used a different user's personal account information in order to access the system for his own benefit. He has been charged under Florida law with the fraudulent interception of communications and fraudulently obtaining property valued at $300 or higher.
Comcast, the cable television service provider, estimates that cable theft costs the cable industry about six billion dollars every year - and the problem continues to grow. DirecTV, however, maintains that they have succeeded in eradicating theft of their satellite television products with new technology. Through the invention of a smart card device, which is associated directly with each individual user, the company believes it has stamped out theft. The card, which is also known as an access card, resembles a credit card in its dimensions. It allows the satellite subscriber to access the services he or she purchases and is able to read the encoded signals transmitted to that user. Whether the smart card technology will ever successfully be evaded by tech-savvy thieves, however, remains to be seen in the years to come.
O.J. Simpson was famously sued for satellite television theft. The former professional football star was ordered to pay DirecTV $25,000 in compensation for his theft, in addition to the company's legal fees and other associated costs. Although similar civil lawsuits for cable signal theft are on the rise, criminal prosecution for such activities remains minimal.
Comcast, the cable television service provider, estimates that cable theft costs the cable industry about six billion dollars every year - and the problem continues to grow. DirecTV, however, maintains that they have succeeded in eradicating theft of their satellite television products with new technology. Through the invention of a smart card device, which is associated directly with each individual user, the company believes it has stamped out theft. The card, which is also known as an access card, resembles a credit card in its dimensions. It allows the satellite subscriber to access the services he or she purchases and is able to read the encoded signals transmitted to that user. Whether the smart card technology will ever successfully be evaded by tech-savvy thieves, however, remains to be seen in the years to come.
O.J. Simpson was famously sued for satellite television theft. The former professional football star was ordered to pay DirecTV $25,000 in compensation for his theft, in addition to the company's legal fees and other associated costs. Although similar civil lawsuits for cable signal theft are on the rise, criminal prosecution for such activities remains minimal.
