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Unlawful Acts Damage To Equipment – Impairment of Service – Unauthorized Connections

4. Hang up when you hear something off-color or obscene. 5. Never reveal the fact that you are alone. 6. When annoyance calls persist, contact your local law enforce- ment agency. 7. Calls of a threatening nature should be reported to the local law enforcement agency immediately. Telephone Safety The telephone is one of the safest appliances in your home or office. There are, however, a few situations where a telephone user needs to be cautious. Use of the Telephone Near Water The telephone should not be used while you are in a bathtub, shower or pool. Immersion of the telephone or handset in water could cause an electrical shock. Use of the Telephone During an Electrical Storm

It is unlawful for any person to damage or obstruct any telegraph or telephone poles, wires, fixtures, or other apparatus or appli- ances, or to impede or impair the service of any telegraph or tele- phone line; or to connect by wire, or other means, with any such line, so as to hear, or be in a position to hear, messages going over such line or lines, or for the purpose of getting any service over the line or lines, without first procuring the consent of the owner or owners of the line, or the duly authorized agent of same. A violation of this section is a Class C misdemeanor. Emergency Calls on Party Line – Warning (Published in Accordance With The Provisions of Chapter No. 272, Public Acts of 1955) It is illegal to fail to relinquish a party line or public telephone when requested to do so in order that another person may make an emergency call to a fire or police department or for medical aid or ambulance service. It is also illegal to make such a request falsely, or as a pretext for making a non-emergency call. Both offenses are misdemeanors, punishable by fines up to $2,500, and impris- onment up to 10 days. Guarding Against Fraud The law of Tennessee provides that it shall be unlawful for any per- son to obtain or attempt to obtain telephone service by fraudulent means with the intent to avoid payment for lawful charges. This includes not only the obtaining of local service but the obtaining of long distance service by fraudulent schemes, devices, means or methods, with intent to avoid payment. Any person or per- sons violating the provisions of this section shall be guilty of a misdemeanor, and upon conviction thereof will be punished by imprisonment for not more than one year, or by fine not exceeding $1,000, or by both, in the discretion of the court. How to Handle Annoyance Calls It is a crime under both Tennessee and Federal law for anyone to make obscene or harassing telephone calls. Violators, upon con- viction, are subject to either a fine of up to $1,000 or imprisonment for up to 1 year or both, in the discretion of the court. If you receive obscene, harassing or threatening calls, follow these suggestions: 1. When answering your telephone, say hello twice. If no answer, HANG UP. 2. Do not give information until you are absolutely certain you know who is speaking. 3. Instruct children not to give any information to strangers over the phone.

You should avoid using a tele- phone during an electrical storm in your immediate area; calls of an urgent nature should be brief. Although Ben Lomand Connect uses protective measures to limit abnormal electrical surges from entering your home, absolute protection is impossible. There is a remote risk of a dangerous electrical shock from lightning when using the telephone during a nearby electrical storm. Use of the Telephone to Report a Gas Leak

If you think you’ve found a gas leak, you should not use a telephone in the vicinity of the leak until the leak is repaired. The telephone contains electrical contacts that could generate a tiny spark when you lift the handset and dial. While unlikely, it may be possible for this spark to trigger an explosion if the gas concentration is high enough. Tennessee One Call Before digging or fence installation, call Tennessee One Call to locate all utility lines. 1-800-351-1111 Locating Underground Lines Tennessee State Law requires you to call Tennessee One Call before you dig to avoid cutting any utility lines that might be buried on the property. Tennessee One Call will alert all utility companies in the area to locate lines within 72 hours. Emergency locates are available. 1-800-351-1111

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