If you ever see a couple guys from a cable company show up with big shovels and power tools – unannounced – ask lots of questions. “Why are you here?” would be a good start.
But most importantly, if you tell them not to cut something – it turns out you need to furnish an exhaustive list of what they should not cut. I foolishly requested that they not cut the electric fence we put in for our dog. I did not realize I should have also requested that they leave my phone line in tact.
Result? Yup. Both phone lines cut. No dial tone, no DSL.