Which statement best describes unauthorized use of telecommunications service?

• A. Using the service only when authorized by the provider
• B. Paying for service on time
• C. Using the service without knowledge of access codes
• D. Using the service without authority for personal benefit or for the benefit of another

Answer: (D)

Unauthorized use of telecommunications service happens when someone uses the service without permission or proper authority and does so to gain a personal benefit or to benefit someone else. The key is both the lack of authority to access or use the service and the intent to obtain value from it. Using the service only when the provider authorizes it or paying on time are legitimate uses and obligations, respectively, while simply lacking knowledge of access codes doesn’t by itself define unauthorized use. The defining idea is using the service without authority for personal gain or for the gain of another.