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I wouldn't want to give my details to the 3rd party. The cable company is likely to just advise that the contract signer has to call in. I know in the past I tried to deal with the elec. company on behalf of my girlfriend. Even though I lived with her and could verify any info, including ss number they wouldn't speak to me on the issue.

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For cable/internet in my limited experience with Time Warner and Comcast (US), there is a "passphrase" to be used if account details are to be changed. This was the case for certain two years ago, but maybe things have changed now.

Also, the electric companies and cable companies are in fairly separate domains so I'm not sure your analogy is apt.

I'm familiar with that one. For a short while, the local Comcast office wouldn't accept my father's death certificate, as they wanted him to deliver it in person.

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