Setting up a cable theft hotline. Some cable systems have a telephone number that allows people to turn in others who are suspected of stealing service. For this to work, the system s paying customers need to realize that thieves don t just prey on the cable company they prey on paying customers, too. Make certain that all employees understand how theft of service affects the company. When the company experiences growth, everybody wins.
Cable theft takes away from the bottom line.
A technician will disconnect the illegal tap from service, document the time and date, and possibly confiscate the exterior drop wiring. When you see an illegal tap, use a TDR to test and store the waveform of the cable connected to the house. If the TDR has a store feature, using it allows the information to be recalled and studied at leisure. Use the smallest pulse width available on the TDR, plus the next larger pulse width to give more distance readability. Notify the resident.