How to Charge Someone With Theft of Services

Theft of service is a criminal charge determined by each state. In general it refers to a person who receives a good or service and then doesn't pay. It frequently applies to individuals who leave a restaurant or hotel before paying for their bill, or receive goods from a company and don’t pay. It can be difficult to charge someone with theft of services, but it is still possible.

Determine the type of charge you want to level against the person. One type of charge relates to someone who accepts a service without paying for the charge, another to someone who diverts service from a paying customer for their own use, while the another refers to a person who lies or deceives as a way of not paying for those services.

Read More: Penalties for Theft of Services

Gather proof of the theft on the part of the individual. This varies depending on what was taken. A hotel owner might present proof that the individual signed into the hotel, while a restaurant might show the reservation of the individual or security footage of them entering or exiting the building.

Decide if the case is a misdemeanor or felony. This is determined by each state, but most follow similar guidelines. If the theft was more than $500, but less than $10,000, it’s treated as a misdemeanor case. If the theft was higher than $10,000, then you’re dealing with a felony case.

Contact the authorities for felony cases. In cases where the theft was substantial, such as acquiring goods without paying for those products, you’ll need to involve the authorities. Once you present your claim and proof of the theft, the police force will help you press charges.

File a suit in small claims court if the case involves less than $10,000 and is viewed as a misdemeanor. In smaller cases, the only way you can try to get your money back is by filing in small claim’s court. You’ll need to present proof of the theft and the deception, as well as the amount owed.