Giving Dish a "False" Service Address

I would like to move my service address to Iowa. I'm not really moving there, but as a baseball fan, it would be nice to be able to watch the 6 "local" teams in Iowa. This map is my inspiration... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:MLB_Blackout_Areas.png . I realize I would not be able to receive local channels, being outside of that spot beam, but I do not subscribe to locals through Dish (receive them OTA).

I've seen many times on this forum where a false service address is given to either Dish or DirecTV to receive different channels, whether they are local channels or other. All I know is that people give a different service address while keeping their billing address as their actual location.

Although this seems a little dishonest, I haven't heard of any problems in doing so. So, I have some questions for those who have done it.

1. Is an actual address of a friend or relative given to the satellite companies, or is it just some random address like "100 main street"?

2. Do the satellite companies do any verification?

3. What would happen if one were caught?

I've heard satellite companies basically have a "don't ask, don't tell" policy on this.

It is fraudulent and can result in termination of service among other things including legal action.

Termination of service... not the end of the world since other options are available. Legal action... that's deterrent enough to prevent this law-abiding citizen from doing such an act.

Still, I'm surprised how many people do this. I see it all the time where people use an out-of-market address to receive HD locals if their local channels are not available in HD via satellite. I've seen where they use a false address to view their favorite out-of-market football team every Sunday. I see there's even a recent discussion on this forum regarding this type of activity (http://www.highdefforum.com/dish-network-forum/100171-regional-channels-outside-region.html )

Have there been a lot of legal cases where these people have been caught?

Since the forum rules state "No discussing hacks, illegal sharing of copyrighted material or any other illegal behavior.", I choose not to participate in this thread anymore. Good luck.

Now realizing the illegalities of this action, I will also abide by forum rules and no longer participate in this thread... leaving it to those who perform this act.

Yes and If you can receive OTA channels from another DMA, be sure and not watch them.

This is not a legal matter, it's a matter of breech of contract, and neither satellite provider goes out of it's way to pursue such trivialities, after all you do pay your bill.

If someone were to "hyperthetically" provide a different 'out of market' address, the first thing they need to confirm, is that the channels they are intending to view are physically available at the intended location of their dish/receiver. For example, Boston locals broadcast on a spotbeam which covers the general Eastern Mass, Southern NH area, could not possibly be received in, lets say Colorado. Are not sports programming also on the Spot Beams???
The big nuisance for many is caused by the DMA area designations. An arbitrary line on a map, on one side you are 'allowed' to watch certain channels, on the other side, you are 'out of market'. I have one such line in front of my house. DTV will not allow me to receive my genuine locals on my side of the street, whereas the other sde of the street, they are happy to take my money. Dish either has different rules or didn't notice, doesn't care.
If 'they' do the install, they will of course, know the install address. If you do the install, or if you 'move' they will believe what you tell them. You are not 'under oath' to tell the truth. It is not economically viable for them to physically verify the millions of address changes they process every year.
If I were considering such a criminal action, as using an incorrect address, I woulld use a 'real' street in the appropriate city, and use a street number that isn't already being used, NOT "100 Main Street, Anytown, USA". And use e-billing, if the billing address would be a couple of states away from the service address.
Worse case scenario they would disable the persons local/regional stations.
Remember this fact. You are not stealing anything. What you are receiving/viewing is what you are paying for.
If there is some rule that says I am not allowed to watch certain TV channels at my address, they should damn well not be beaming them onto my property!!!





I would like to move my service address to Iowa. I'm not really moving there, but as a baseball fan, it would be nice to be able to watch the 6 "local" teams in Iowa. This map is my inspiration... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:MLB_Blackout_Areas.png . I realize I would not be able to receive local channels, being outside of that spot beam, but I do not subscribe to locals through Dish (receive them OTA).

I've seen many times on this forum where a false service address is given to either Dish or DirecTV to receive different channels, whether they are local channels or other. All I know is that people give a different service address while keeping their billing address as their actual location.

Although this seems a little dishonest, I haven't heard of any problems in doing so. So, I have some questions for those who have done it.

1. Is an actual address of a friend or relative given to the satellite companies, or is it just some random address like "100 main street"?

2. Do the satellite companies do any verification?

3. What would happen if one were caught?

I've heard satellite companies basically have a "don't ask, don't tell" policy on this.

Not cool!! I sure as hell wouldn't post this on a forum!!

Wow! I find all the legal stuff here to be really off base. I have Dish. Because of my location I was forced to view the local channels in another part of the state and another city then the one I grew up in. We had absolutely no interest in this "local" news. When I called Dish Network to complain, it was the operator at Dish who suggested I put in another address so I could get "MY" local news. I was able to have my parents address, (who do live in the viewing area but do not have Dish) used and keep the billing address the same. It took some time to reprogram the box itself, but the end result was that we got the (and still have some two years later) news that we want to watch. Rather this would apply to another state or not I can't say, but it is certainly worth a phone call to find out! I would also use a legitimate address if you have one in Iowa. Good Luck!