Criminals want to get to know your schedule … so they know exactly the right time to attack. Beware of camouflaged cameras recording every time you leave the house.
More creeps are using small hidden cameras – How to spot them
It seems like every week, there’s another disturbing story in the news about hidden cameras. Spying on unsuspecting victims is nothing new, and, thanks to today’s tech, these creeps have taken their creepiness to a whole new level. Unfortunately, it’s easier than ever to get away with these crimes. Here are some recent ones we know about.
In a church bathroom
Will Johnson, a pastor in Michigan, admitted to placing a hidden camera in the church bathroom stall and recording people for the last two years. Johnson confessed everything to police, who are now trying to find where all these recordings ended up. I bet it’s probably some sicko porn site.
In a doctor’s office
In Pennsylvania, a chiropractor was caught using hidden cameras to record patients as they undressed. Police found a hidden camera in his office disguised as a working digital clock.
In a Starbucks bathroom
A Starbucks customer in San Jose, California, noticed something unusual about the bathroom’s baby-changing station. You guessed it — a camera’s tiny lens was strategically placed to record patrons using the bathroom.
In a teen’s bathroom
You’re not going to believe this one. A Kentucky family found a hidden camera in their 13-year-old daughter’s bathroom. A man living in the apartment above them had run a borescope inspection camera through his floor and into the ceiling of the teen’s shower below.
Do a manual sweep for hidden cameras
Today’s cameras are so small, they can be hidden virtually anywhere — lamps, light fixtures, vases, flowerpots, smoke detectors, air filters, vents, decorations, TV remotes and even within water bottles. Here are a few tips for spotting them:
- Inspect your surroundings: Shine a flashlight on mirrors, smoke detectors and alarm clocks. Hidden cameras often have tiny lenses or holes that reflect light.
- Use a hidden camera detector: They detect wireless signals or infrared light emitted by many hidden cameras. Here’s one I like.
- Check Wi‑Fi networks: In hotels, rentals or offices, scan the list of available Wi‑Fi networks nearby. If you see devices you don’t recognize, they could be hidden cameras.
- Cover suspicious devices: Blocking the view is a simple way to ensure some privacy. Any hidden cameras, though, will probably still record audio.
- Report it immediately: If you find a hidden camera, don’t tamper with it. Take photos, document everything and call the police.
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Ask Kim: 'Help! My brother-in-law is spying on us'
“Dear Kim,
“My brother-in-law has our family cottage wired with a Ring security system. He is not to be trusted as he has been unfaithful to his wife and she has filed for divorce. My family is very suspicious that we are being watched or listened to all the time.
Life’s little problems, solved
- Don’t hold your phone the whole flight. This $13.97 mount clamps onto the airplane tray table for hands-free viewing. Works on desks or your luggage, too.
- Not a fan of in-ear earbuds? These open-ear headphones are for you, and they’re on sale for $24.99.
- A little scanner to make sure your Airbnb or hotel room is free of hidden cameras or bugs. And it’s 40% off!
- Rechargeable LED lights that stay on for three to four hours when the power is out. A set of two is on sale for $17.99.
- Buh-bye, cord mess. A retractable pair of cords, plus ports for two more, make it a snap to charge four devices at once. It’s 28% off now.
We may receive a commission when you buy through our links, but our reporting and recommendations are always independent and objective.
Burglars, life is short – don’t make it shorter: Keep an eye out for hidden cameras in your front yard, folks. South American gangs are placing them in bushes, disguising them in leaf-covered camouflage, to see your comings and goings. Trim your foliage and get a security system. My pick is SimpliSafe.
Creeps are hiding cameras in dressing rooms, bathrooms and worse
Stories like this make my blood boil. Some creep was caught taking pics up a woman’s skirt at a Target store. Let’s give a big cheer to the woman who called him out and filmed it.
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6 signs your vacation rental is a scam
Booking a rental property for your next vacation? There’s a scam for that!
Seriously, vacation rental scams are everywhere. Last year alone, Airbnb banned 59,000 fake listings — and stopped 157,000 listings from making it to the site in the first place.
See all the police surveillance tools used in your city
Over a million hobby drones are registered in the U.S. You may never know when you’re being watched. Check out my guide to avoiding drone surveillance. We wrote this after one hovered over my pool while I was swimming.
The real reason TVs are so cheap: No more privacy
If you’ve ever dreamed of owning a big-screen TV, you couldn’t be around at a better time. That’s because TVs are much cheaper today than just 10 years ago. Sadly, the luxury comes at a steep cost — especially if you value privacy.
Traveling soon? 5 smart tech steps to take before you hit the road
Travel now means your tickets, maps, hotel, rental car and more are all stored on your phone. But what happens if that goes missing? Here’s how to find your phone when it’s lost — even if the battery is dead.
The other big phone emergency? Your battery is dying and you have to leave for the airport. Whoops. Tap or click for smart ways to get more life out of your battery.
How to spot hidden surveillance cameras in your Airbnb, VRBO, and vacation rentals
It’s happened to me. You check into a vacation rental, get settled in and spot surveillance cameras. Even when the cameras are technically allowed, it’s very alarming.
Prepared to be shocked. Cameras can hide in vents, lamps, power outlets and even unassuming objects like humidifiers and TV remote controls. You must see these cameras to believe they exist. Tap or click for 10 hidden cameras so sneaky you’d never know they were there.
Planning a trip? These things can get you BANNED from Airbnb
Rental platforms like Airbnb make finding the ideal place to stay easy. You can rent a space for multiple people to share, a shared space with private rooms or the entire property for yourself.
Did you know that Airbnb lets property owners monitor guests via camera? There are certain restrictions, but you may feel uncomfortable being watched, plus people sometimes break the rules and install cameras where they shouldn’t (such as in a bedroom). Tap or click here for a gadget that helps you detect hidden cameras.
These SHOCKING hidden spy cameras could be secretly recording everything you do
If you thought the infamous James Bond spy gear was too ridiculous to be true, think again. Life is often stranger than fiction. Take, for example, the shocking hidden cameras you can drink, light up or even hide in your shirt.
Staying in a hotel, Airbnb or rental? Bring this hidden camera detector with you
Summer’s almost here, and you’re likely anxious to get out there and enjoy some good times. We understand.
Before you leave, you want to make sure your home is protected. A surveillance system is a great way to keep tabs on your home and deter crime. But you can’t go placing cameras at random. Tap or click here for our camera placement tips.
Home security 101: How to hide a security camera from view
When setting up a home security system, buying cameras is a no-brainer. This way, you can catch criminals in the act so police can quickly track down the bad guys. If you’re too obvious, though, burglars might grab your camera and go. That’s why we’re sharing this guide on how to hide a security camera.
Use these steps to find hidden cameras in an Airbnb or rental property
Camera technology has advanced immensely in the past few years. They keep getting smaller and smaller, making it possible to conceal them any which way. Cameras have become really affordable, too, and it’s now feasible to blanket your whole property with surveillance equipment without breaking the bank.
Airbnb just got a big makeover – Here’s how to use the best new features
Americans are making summer vacation plans and searching for places to stay. One of the most prominent websites to use is Airbnb, with about 70 million searches a month. But even with tons of homes available, it can be challenging to find the right place.
5 hidden spy cams you have to see to believe
In decades past, computers filled entire buildings. Now, you carry one around in your pocket that weighs less than the shoes on your feet.
But just like phones, one other type of tech has grown even smaller over time: cameras. You already know about the one in your smartphone, but tiny cameras are everywhere — and they’re often used in the creepiest ways. Tap or click to learn more about the threat of hidden cameras in our modern age.
How to detect hidden cameras in Vrbo, Airbnb and vacation rentals
You’re not paranoid — you are being watched. Facial-recognition cameras, store surveillance cameras, traffic cameras and more are all watching all the time.
Adding to the creep factor is the number of cases where cameras have been found in Vrbos, Airbnbs and other vacation rentals. Tap or click here for an Airbnb scam warning.
Warning: These security cameras could let strangers see inside your home
Security cameras, for better or worse, are now a normal part of our daily lives. Even if they’re not expressly designed for surveillance, the cameras in nearly all of our smart devices can be exploited to this end. All it takes is just a little know-how.