As global copper prices soar to record highs, a sudden wave of targeted infrastructure theft is threatening regional communications networks — and AT&T is putting serious cash on the line to stop it. With thieves stripping valuable wiring directly from local telecommunications lines, the industry giant is now offering massive $10,000 cash rewards for tips that lead directly to arrests and convictions. Read on to discover what is driving this unprecedented spike in copper market values, how these bold crimes could impact your everyday phone and internet service, and exactly what key details you need to know to claim a piece of the payout.
AT&T turns to the public to fight cable theft
AT&T is turning to the public for help as copper theft continues to threaten its communications infrastructure. In the Dallas-Fort Worth area and Kentucky, the company is offering $10,000 rewards for information that leads to the arrest and conviction of people involved in copper cable theft. AT&T also has larger reward offers in California and Missouri, where qualifying tips can earn up to $20,000.
The company says people who spot suspicious activity around telecommunications equipment should avoid confronting anyone themselves. Instead, they can report what they see to local law enforcement or AT&T Global Security at 800-807-4205. In Kentucky, AT&T says tipsters can remain anonymous.
Why copper has become such a tempting target
The growing interest in telecommunications cables is closely tied to the soaring value of copper. As the metal becomes more valuable on global markets, copper wiring and other infrastructure can become increasingly attractive to criminals looking to sell stolen material for scrap.
AT&T has described copper theft and vandalism as a growing threat to both connectivity and public safety. The company says it has seen a particularly sharp increase in areas including California, Texas and Missouri, where theft can leave customers without essential communications services and create costly repair work.
The problem has become especially pronounced in California. AT&T reported 3,380 copper theft incidents in the state during 2025, compared with just 71 in 2021. The company says those crimes have damaged communications infrastructure, disrupted phone and broadband connections and generated millions of dollars in repair costs.
Copper prices are adding pressure
The surge in copper prices has created an unusual incentive for infrastructure theft. Strong demand for the metal is colliding with concerns about future supplies, while major investments in electricity networks, renewable energy, electric vehicles and data centers are increasing the amount of copper the global economy needs.
Potential U.S. tariffs on refined copper have also affected the market. The prospect of additional trade restrictions has encouraged companies to move copper into the United States, tightening supplies elsewhere and adding further pressure to prices.
At the same time, increasing copper demand is meeting challenges on the mining side. Aging mines, declining ore grades and the long timelines required to develop new projects make it difficult for producers to quickly increase output when prices rise.
Cable theft can leave more than wires behind
For telecommunications companies, the damage from copper theft goes far beyond the value of the material removed. Thieves can cut through cables, damage network equipment and leave entire areas dealing with service interruptions.
Recent incidents in Kentucky illustrate the potential consequences. Authorities in several counties have reported stolen telephone wiring and equipment, including thefts at cell-tower sites. Officials have warned that damage to communications infrastructure can affect essential services and potentially interfere with people’s ability to contact 911 and other emergency responders.
AT&T says every theft can create an outage while forcing the company to divert resources toward repairs. That can mean additional costs for replacing damaged equipment and restoring service, while also taking attention away from network upgrades.
AT&T is using more than rewards to fight theft
The $10,000 incentive is only one part of AT&T’s broader effort to combat copper theft. The company says it is working with law enforcement, local governments and other partners while also using security measures designed to make its infrastructure harder to target.
AT&T has previously described using GPS trackers on aerial cables that can send alerts when movement is detected, including when a cable drops to the ground. The company also works with investigators by helping identify stolen cable, verify legitimate contractors, and provide information that can support prosecutions.
As long as copper remains highly valuable and large amounts of older copper-based infrastructure remain in the ground and overhead, the incentive for thieves is unlikely to disappear overnight. For AT&T and its customers, the fight is therefore about more than protecting valuable metal — it is about keeping the communications networks people depend on every day operating reliably.