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Washington statute

RCW 9.26A.110 — Fraud in obtaining telecommunications service—Penalty

Current through 2026 Regular Session

Part of Chapter 9.26A: Telecommunications Crime, Revised Code of Washington.

Criminal charges under this statute

Full text of RCW 9.26A.110

Statutory text current through the 2026 Regular Session. This publication reproduces the official text of the Revised Code of Washington from the Code Reviser's published files; it is not the official statutes of the State of Washington.

RCW 9.26A.110Primary source, current through the 2026 Regular Session
(1) Every person who, with intent to evade the provisions of any order or rule of the Washington utilities and transportation commission or of any tariff, price list, contract, or any other filing lawfully submitted to the commission by any telephone, telegraph, or telecommunications company, or with intent to defraud, obtains telephone, telegraph, or telecommunications service from any telephone, telegraph, or telecommunications company through: (a) The use of a false or fictitious name or telephone number; (b) the unauthorized use of the name or telephone number of another; (c) the physical or electronic installation of, rearrangement of, or tampering with any equipment, or use of a telecommunications device; (d) the commission of computer trespass; or (e) any other trick, deceit, or fraudulent device, is guilty of a misdemeanor. (2) If the value of the telephone, telegraph, or telecommunications service that any person obtains in violation of this section during a period of ninety days exceeds fifty dollars in the aggregate, then such person is guilty of a gross misdemeanor. (3) If the value of the telephone, telegraph, or telecommunications service that any person obtains in violation of this section during a period of ninety days exceeds two hundred fifty dollars in the aggregate, then such person is guilty of a class C felony punishable according to chapter 9A.20 RCW. (4) For any act that constitutes a violation of both this section and RCW 9.26A.115 the provisions of RCW 9.26A.115 shall be exclusive.

Official sources

Legal terms used in this section

Questions this section answers

Is fraud in obtaining telecommunications service a felony or a misdemeanor in Washington?

It depends on the circumstances: fraud in obtaining telecommunications service ranges from a Misdemeanor to a Class C Felony in Washington under RCW 9.26A.110.

Fraudulent obtaining of telecommunications service (base offense): Misdemeanor (RCW 9.26A.110(1)) · Fraud in obtaining telecommunications service (value exceeds $50 in 90 days): Gross Misdemeanor (RCW 9.26A.110(2)) · Fraud in obtaining telecommunications service (value exceeds $250 in 90 days): Class C Felony (RCW 9.26A.110(3))

Which Washington statute covers fraud in obtaining telecommunications service?

Fraud in obtaining telecommunications service is governed by RCW 9.26A.110 (Fraud in obtaining telecommunications service—Penalty).

This reference is informational and is not legal advice.