Bought a second had SKY HD+ box and have access to the full premium range of channels. How??

[fluis]

As the title says, I bought a SKY box from Facebook marketplace for £10 (UK) as you can use them for the free channels like a free view box.

If you are not familiar with UK TV services, SKY is "THE" satellite TV service over here.

When I got home, I expected to have the lowest and limited service, but I can watch everything, even the movie channels!

Is it because the folks I bought it off pay for the full package? Some sort of multi view feature?

Im super happy I'm able to watch but would feel bad if they are paying extra for it and should tell them - but if its costing them nothing and they are none the wiser, then should I just leave it?

I would like to find a technical explanation of what I'm experiencing, but I cannot find any information online. Any help would be appreciated as I don't want a nasty phone call from Sky or knock at the door with a fine or something..

[Annie+UK]

Remove any viewing card from the Sky box and perform a Full System Restore [FSR] (see my Sky+ FAQ)

[TimmyBGood]

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@fluis wrote:

I would like to find a technical explanation of what I'm experiencing, but I cannot find any information online. Any help would be appreciated as I don't want a nasty phone call from Sky or knock at the door with a fine or something..

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Presumably the box contains a viewing card that's linked to a Sky account someone is paying for.

It's a moot point whether you'd be guilty of anything* by using it: 'theft' probably isn't an appropriate concept**.   Of course, the box itself could be stolen...

As far as Sky is concerned, it's unauthorised use of their services though, so we'd have to advise against it.

*although moral guilt is another matter ; )

**because that would involve "appropriation of property belonging to another with the intention of permanently depriving the other of it" which can't really apply to a Sky service. I suppose Sky could argue you're 'stealing' from them, even though someone else is paying, but that would seem to be a bit of a stretch.

[TimmyBGood]

@fluis 

Actually, thinking about it, you've probably technically 'stolen' the viewing card, or are in possession of it as such.  Sky+ boxes are sold to subscribers and so are theirs to do with as they see fit, but viewing cards remain Sky property.

Conceivably you're also 'obtaining goods or services by deception' through appearing to Sky servers to be someone you're not (i.e. the actual subscriber).  It would be very unwise for you to use the box to purchase anything (such as PPV or a movie rental), as that's almost certainly fraud and potentially trackable by IP address.

[Mark39]

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@TimmyBGood wrote:

@fluis 

Actually, thinking about it, you've probably technically 'stolen' the viewing card, or are in possession of it as such.  Sky+ boxes are sold to subscribers and so are theirs to do with as they see fit, but viewing cards remain Sky property.

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Yes, the original owner was not entitled to sell you the Viewing Card with the box. It wasn't theirs to do so with it.

[SKY1992bf]

I'm struggling to understand how anyone would give a box away without cancelling the subscription in the first place

the only thing I can think of is it's a multi screen box/sub and the account holder forgot to cancel the card for that box whilst keeping their main sub, in any event I agree with the advice given in that goods are being received by deception given the card is the property of sky and shouldn't have been given with the box

[HeathHayle]

if it is a mutiroom viewing card once the owners realise they will probably cancel it because £15 per month is a lot to pay if you dont have to or it could be in a 30 day cancellation period and cancel soon anyway