{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/18.2-187.1.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/18.2-187.1.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/18.2-187.1.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/18.2-187.1.html"}],"law_id":64355,"edition_id":1,"section_id":64355,"structure_id":14590,"section_number":"18.2-187.1","catch_line":"Obtaining or attempting to obtain oil, electric, gas, water, telephone, telegraph, cable television or electronic communication service without payment; penalty; civil liability","history":"1978, c. 807; 1981, c. 197; 1992, c. 525; 1993, c. 439; 2002, c. 671; 2003, c. 354; 2018, cc. 764, 765; 2020, cc. 89, 401.","full_text":"A\n\nIt shall be unlawful for any person knowingly, with the intent to defraud, to obtain or attempt to obtain, for himself or for another, oil, electric, gas, water, telephone, telegraph, cable television or electronic communication service by the use of any false information, or in any case where such service has been disconnected by the supplier and notice of disconnection has been given.B\n\nIt shall be unlawful for any person to obtain or attempt to obtain oil, electric, gas, water, telephone, telegraph, cable television or electronic communication service by the use of any scheme, device, means or method, or by a false application for service with intent to avoid payment of lawful charges therefor.B1\n\nIt shall be unlawful for any person to obtain, or attempt to obtain, electronic communication service as defined in § 18.2-190.1 by the use of an unlawful electronic communication device as defined in § 18.2-190.1.C\n\nThe word “notice” as used in subsection A shall be notice given in writing to the person to whom the service was assigned. The sending of a notice in writing by registered or certified mail in the United States mail, duly stamped and addressed to such person at his last known address, requiring delivery to the addressee only with return receipt requested, and the actual signing of the receipt for such mail by the addressee, shall be prima facie evidence that such notice was duly received.D\n\nAny person who violates any provisions of this section, if the value of service, credit or benefit procured is $1,000 or more, shall be guilty of a Class 6 felony; or if the value is less than $1,000, shall be guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor. In addition, the court may order restitution for the value of the services unlawfully used and for all costs. Such costs shall be limited to actual expenses, including the base wages of employees acting as witnesses for the Commonwealth, and suit costs. However, the total amount of allowable costs granted hereunder shall not exceed $250, excluding the value of the service.E\n\nAny party providing oil, electric, gas, water, telephone, telegraph, cable television or electronic communication service who is aggrieved by a violation of this section may, in a civil proceeding in any court of competent jurisdiction, seek both injunctive and equitable relief, and an award of damages, including attorney fees and costs. In addition to any other remedy provided by law, the party aggrieved may recover an award of actual damages or $500, whichever is greater, for each action.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":234207,"text":"It shall be unlawful for any person knowingly, with the intent to defraud, to obtain or attempt to obtain, for himself or for another, oil, electric, gas, water, telephone, telegraph, cable television or electronic communication service by the use of any false information, or in any case where such service has been disconnected by the supplier and notice of disconnection has been given.","type":"section","prefixes":["A"],"prefix":"A","entire_prefix":"A","prefix_anchor":"A","level":1,"next_prefix":"B"},"1":{"id":234208,"text":"It shall be unlawful for any person to obtain or attempt to obtain oil, electric, gas, water, telephone, telegraph, cable television or electronic communication service by the use of any scheme, device, means or method, or by a false application for service with intent to avoid payment of lawful charges therefor.","type":"section","prefixes":["B"],"prefix":"B","entire_prefix":"B","prefix_anchor":"B","level":1,"prior_prefix":"A","next_prefix":"B1"},"2":{"id":234209,"text":"It shall be unlawful for any person to obtain, or attempt to obtain, electronic communication service as defined in § 18.2-190.1 by the use of an unlawful electronic communication device as defined in § 18.2-190.1.","type":"section","prefixes":["B1"],"prefix":"B1","entire_prefix":"B1","prefix_anchor":"B1","level":1,"prior_prefix":"B","next_prefix":"C"},"3":{"id":234210,"text":"The word “notice” as used in subsection A shall be notice given in writing to the person to whom the service was assigned. The sending of a notice in writing by registered or certified mail in the United States mail, duly stamped and addressed to such person at his last known address, requiring delivery to the addressee only with return receipt requested, and the actual signing of the receipt for such mail by the addressee, shall be prima facie evidence that such notice was duly received.","type":"section","prefixes":["C"],"prefix":"C","entire_prefix":"C","prefix_anchor":"C","level":1,"prior_prefix":"B1","next_prefix":"D"},"4":{"id":234211,"text":"Any person who violates any provisions of this section, if the value of service, credit or benefit procured is $1,000 or more, shall be guilty of a Class 6 felony; or if the value is less than $1,000, shall be guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor. In addition, the court may order restitution for the value of the services unlawfully used and for all costs. Such costs shall be limited to actual expenses, including the base wages of employees acting as witnesses for the Commonwealth, and suit costs. However, the total amount of allowable costs granted hereunder shall not exceed $250, excluding the value of the service.","type":"section","prefixes":["D"],"prefix":"D","entire_prefix":"D","prefix_anchor":"D","level":1,"prior_prefix":"C","next_prefix":"E"},"5":{"id":234212,"text":"Any party providing oil, electric, gas, water, telephone, telegraph, cable television or electronic communication service who is aggrieved by a violation of this section may, in a civil proceeding in any court of competent jurisdiction, seek both injunctive and equitable relief, and an award of damages, including attorney fees and costs. In addition to any other remedy provided by law, the party aggrieved may recover an award of actual damages or $500, whichever is greater, for each action.","type":"section","prefixes":["E"],"prefix":"E","entire_prefix":"E","prefix_anchor":"E","level":1,"prior_prefix":"D"}},"ancestry":[{"id":14590,"edition_id":1,"name":"False Representations to Obtain Property or Credit","identifier":"5","label":"article","depth":3,"order_by":1,"parent_id":13358,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:48:47","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:48:47","permalink":{"id":166089,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":14590,"identifier":"5","token":"18.2\/6\/5","url":"\/18.2\/6\/5\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":13358,"edition_id":1,"name":"Crimes Involving Fraud","identifier":"6","label":"chapter","depth":2,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12972,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:44:42","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:44:42","permalink":{"id":165933,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":13358,"identifier":"6","token":"18.2\/6","url":"\/18.2\/6\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12972,"edition_id":1,"name":"Crimes and Offenses Generally","identifier":"18.2","label":"title","depth":1,"order_by":1,"parent_id":null,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:44:05","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:44:05","permalink":{"id":164139,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12972,"identifier":"18.2","token":"18.2","url":"\/18.2\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}}],"structure_contents":[{"id":70856,"structure_id":14590,"section_number":"18.2-186","catch_line":"False statements to obtain property or credit","url":"\/18.2-186\/","token":"18.2\/6\/5\/18.2-186","metadata":false},{"id":70659,"structure_id":14590,"section_number":"18.2-186.1","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/18.2-186.1\/","token":"18.2\/6\/5\/18.2-186.1","metadata":false},{"id":75819,"structure_id":14590,"section_number":"18.2-186.2","catch_line":"False statements or failure to disclose material facts in order to obtain aid or benefits under any local, state or federal housing assistance program","url":"\/18.2-186.2\/","token":"18.2\/6\/5\/18.2-186.2","metadata":false},{"id":73403,"structure_id":14590,"section_number":"18.2-186.3","catch_line":"Identity theft; penalty; restitution; victim assistance","url":"\/18.2-186.3\/","token":"18.2\/6\/5\/18.2-186.3","metadata":false},{"id":68386,"structure_id":14590,"section_number":"18.2-186.3:1","catch_line":"Identity fraud; consumer reporting agencies; police reports","url":"\/18.2-186.3_1\/","token":"18.2\/6\/5\/18.2-186.3_1","metadata":false},{"id":86000,"structure_id":14590,"section_number":"18.2-186.4","catch_line":"Use of a person's identity with the intent to coerce, intimidate, or harass; penalty","url":"\/18.2-186.4\/","token":"18.2\/6\/5\/18.2-186.4","metadata":false},{"id":74122,"structure_id":14590,"section_number":"18.2-186.4:1","catch_line":"Internet publication of personal information of certain public officials","url":"\/18.2-186.4_1\/","token":"18.2\/6\/5\/18.2-186.4_1","metadata":false},{"id":63464,"structure_id":14590,"section_number":"18.2-186.5","catch_line":"Expungement of false identity information from police and court records; Identity Theft Passport","url":"\/18.2-186.5\/","token":"18.2\/6\/5\/18.2-186.5","metadata":false},{"id":64651,"structure_id":14590,"section_number":"18.2-186.6","catch_line":"Breach of personal information notification","url":"\/18.2-186.6\/","token":"18.2\/6\/5\/18.2-186.6","metadata":false},{"id":56090,"structure_id":14590,"section_number":"18.2-187","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/18.2-187\/","token":"18.2\/6\/5\/18.2-187","metadata":false},{"id":64355,"structure_id":14590,"section_number":"18.2-187.1","catch_line":"Obtaining or attempting to obtain oil, electric, gas, water, telephone, telegraph, cable television or electronic communication service without payment; penalty; civil liability","url":"\/18.2-187.1\/","token":"18.2\/6\/5\/18.2-187.1","metadata":false},{"id":72422,"structure_id":14590,"section_number":"18.2-187.2","catch_line":"Audiovisual recording of motion pictures unlawful; penalty","url":"\/18.2-187.2\/","token":"18.2\/6\/5\/18.2-187.2","metadata":false},{"id":64840,"structure_id":14590,"section_number":"18.2-188","catch_line":"Defrauding hotels, motels, campgrounds, boardinghouses, etc","url":"\/18.2-188\/","token":"18.2\/6\/5\/18.2-188","metadata":false},{"id":61566,"structure_id":14590,"section_number":"18.2-188.1","catch_line":"Defrauding person having a lien on an animal; penalty","url":"\/18.2-188.1\/","token":"18.2\/6\/5\/18.2-188.1","metadata":false},{"id":78241,"structure_id":14590,"section_number":"18.2-189","catch_line":"Defrauding keeper of motor vehicles or watercraft","url":"\/18.2-189\/","token":"18.2\/6\/5\/18.2-189","metadata":false},{"id":76832,"structure_id":14590,"section_number":"18.2-190","catch_line":"Fraudulent misrepresentation as to breed of bull or cattle","url":"\/18.2-190\/","token":"18.2\/6\/5\/18.2-190","metadata":false}],"previous_section":{"id":56090,"structure_id":14590,"section_number":"18.2-187","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/18.2-187\/","token":"18.2\/6\/5\/18.2-187","metadata":false},"next_section":{"id":72422,"structure_id":14590,"section_number":"18.2-187.2","catch_line":"Audiovisual recording of motion pictures unlawful; penalty","url":"\/18.2-187.2\/","token":"18.2\/6\/5\/18.2-187.2","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/18.2-187.1\/","history_text":"

This law was first created in 1978. The record of its establishment is cataloged in chapter 807 of that year\u2019s edition of \u201cActs of Assembly,\u201d the annual state publication listing all changes made to the Code of Virginia in that year. Unfortunately, the 1978 \u201cActs\u201d aren\u2019t available online. It has been modified 7 times. Those modifications are cataloged by \u201cThe Acts of Assembly,\u201d a state publication, by year and chapter. Those modifications that can be read on the General Assembly\u2019s website will be linked accordingly. Those modifications are as follows: in 1981, chapter 197; in 1992, chapter 525; in 1993, chapter 439; in 2002, chapter 671<\/a>; in 2003, chapter 354<\/a>; in 2018, chapters 764<\/a> and 765<\/a>; in 2020, chapters 89<\/a> and 401<\/a>.<\/p>","references":false,"refers_to":[{"id":66452,"section_number":"18.2-190.1","catch_line":"Definitions","order_by":null,"url":"\/18.2-190.1\/"}],"permalink":{"id":166131,"object_type":"law","relational_id":64355,"identifier":"18.2-187.1","token":"18.2\/6\/5\/18.2-187.1","url":"\/18.2-187.1\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/18.2-187.1\/","token":"18.2\/6\/5\/18.2-187.1","dublin_core":{"Title":"Obtaining or attempting to obtain oil, electric, gas, water, telephone, telegraph, cable television or electronic communication service without payment; penalty; civil liability","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 18.2-187.1","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

A.<\/span> It shall be unlawful for any person knowingly, with the intent<\/span> to defraud, to obtain or attempt to obtain, for himself or for another, oil, electric, gas, water, telephone, telegraph, cable television or electronic communication service by the use of any false information, or in any case where such service has been disconnected by the supplier and notice of disconnection has been given. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

B.<\/span> It shall be unlawful for any person to obtain or attempt to obtain oil, electric, gas, water, telephone, telegraph, cable television or electronic communication service by the use of any scheme, device, means or method, or by a false application for service with intent<\/span> to avoid payment of lawful charges therefor. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

B1.<\/span> It shall be unlawful for any person to obtain, or attempt to obtain, electronic communication service as defined in § 18.2-190.1<\/a> by the use of an unlawful electronic communication device as defined in § 18.2-190.1<\/a>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

C.<\/span> The word “notice” as used in subsection A shall be notice given in writing to the person to whom the service was assigned. The sending of a notice in writing by registered or certified mail in the United States mail, duly stamped and addressed to such person at his last known address, requiring delivery to the addressee only with return receipt requested, and the actual signing of the receipt for such mail by the addressee, shall be prima facie evidence<\/span> that such notice was duly received. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

D.<\/span> Any person who violates any provisions of this section, if the value of service, credit or benefit procured is $1,000 or more, shall be guilty of a Class 6 felony<\/span>; or if the value is less than $1,000, shall be guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor<\/span>. In addition, the court<\/span> may order<\/span> restitution<\/span> for the value of the services unlawfully used and for all costs. Such costs shall be limited to actual expenses, including the base wages of employees acting as witnesses for the Commonwealth, and suit costs. However, the total amount of allowable costs granted hereunder shall not exceed $250, excluding the value of the service. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

E.<\/span> Any party<\/span> providing oil, electric, gas, water, telephone, telegraph, cable television or electronic communication service who is aggrieved by a violation of this section may, in a civil proceeding in any court<\/span> of competent jurisdiction<\/span>, seek both injunctive and equitable<\/span> relief, and an award of damages<\/span>, including attorney fees and costs. In addition to any other remedy provided by law<\/span>, the party<\/span> aggrieved may recover an award of actual damages<\/span> or $500, whichever is greater, for each action. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nOBTAINING OR ATTEMPTING TO OBTAIN OIL, ELECTRIC, GAS, WATER, TELEPHONE,\nTELEGRAPH, CABLE TELEVISION OR ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATION SERVICE WITHOUT PAYMENT;\nPENALTY; CIVIL LIABILITY (\u00a7 18.2-187.1)\n\nA. It shall be unlawful for any person knowingly, with the intent to defraud, to\nobtain or attempt to obtain, for himself or for another, oil, electric, gas,\nwater, telephone, telegraph, cable television or electronic communication\nservice by the use of any false information, or in any case where such service\nhas been disconnected by the supplier and notice of disconnection has been\ngiven.\n\nB. It shall be unlawful for any person to obtain or attempt to obtain oil,\nelectric, gas, water, telephone, telegraph, cable television or electronic\ncommunication service by the use of any scheme, device, means or method, or by a\nfalse application for service with intent to avoid payment of lawful charges\ntherefor.\n\nB1. It shall be unlawful for any person to obtain, or attempt to obtain,\nelectronic communication service as defined in § 18.2-190.1 by the use of\nan unlawful electronic communication device as defined in § 18.2-190.1.\n\nC. The word “notice” as used in subsection A shall be notice given\nin writing to the person to whom the service was assigned. The sending of a\nnotice in writing by registered or certified mail in the United States mail,\nduly stamped and addressed to such person at his last known address, requiring\ndelivery to the addressee only with return receipt requested, and the actual\nsigning of the receipt for such mail by the addressee, shall be prima facie\nevidence that such notice was duly received.\n\nD. Any person who violates any provisions of this section, if the value of\nservice, credit or benefit procured is $1,000 or more, shall be guilty of a\nClass 6 felony; or if the value is less than $1,000, shall be guilty of a Class\n1 misdemeanor. In addition, the court may order restitution for the value of the\nservices unlawfully used and for all costs. Such costs shall be limited to\nactual expenses, including the base wages of employees acting as witnesses for\nthe Commonwealth, and suit costs. However, the total amount of allowable costs\ngranted hereunder shall not exceed $250, excluding the value of the service.\n\nE. Any party providing oil, electric, gas, water, telephone, telegraph, cable\ntelevision or electronic communication service who is aggrieved by a violation\nof this section may, in a civil proceeding in any court of competent\njurisdiction, seek both injunctive and equitable relief, and an award of\ndamages, including attorney fees and costs. In addition to any other remedy\nprovided by law, the party aggrieved may recover an award of actual damages or\n$500, whichever is greater, for each action.\n\nHISTORY: 1978, c. 807; 1981, c. 197; 1992, c. 525; 1993, c. 439; 2002, c. 671;\n2003, c. 354; 2018, cc. 764, 765; 2020, cc. 89, 401.","edition":{"id":1,"name":"2025","slug":"2025","date_created":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","date_modified":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","current":1,"order_by":1,"last_import":null}}