Technology has allowed people to communicate with others anywhere in the world. It has helped to provide more security and help emergency services operate better than ever before. However, with new technologies, there can be downsides that worry some people.
Privacy is one of the primary issues that people have in today’s society. In many countries, freedom of speech is under threat, and government agencies are using devices to monitor and record civilians.
Closer to home, privacy concerns have been mounting recently about hidden devices, especially cameras in holiday accommodation. The availability of these devices has enabled some individuals to spy on unsuspecting victims during private moments.
What happens if someone is caught secretly filming other people?
Hidden cameras in themselves are not illegal, and there are many valid reasons they are used. However, the misuse of hidden cameras brings stiff penalties.
Criminal penalties for misusing recording devices differ from state to state. For example, offenders in Missouri could face 1 year in jail and a $2,000 fine. But, carry out a similar crime in Mississippi, and you could be looking at up to 10 years in jail depending on the severity of the case.
How big a concern are hidden cameras today?
You might be thinking that worrying about hidden cameras is nothing more than paranoia. Likely, you are already aware of common internet threats and spyware, so is it so unlikely that some people would misuse hidden cameras to also spy on individuals?
The cases of people discovering these devices are growing. In some instances, hidden cameras have been used on a large scale to record hundreds of victims.
Airbnb had to look at their policies very hard as several guests came forward to report that they had found hidden recording devices in their rentals. Some employees have also found cameras illegally placed in workplaces.
One of the biggest hidden camera scandals of recent times even involved a pop star. EyeWitness News reported in 2019 on the involvement of one K-pop star who secretly filmed 1,600 guests in motels in South Korea along with his accomplices.
How can you search for hidden cameras?
Entering a hotel room, or renting an Airbnb shouldn’t come with the worry that you will be spied upon, especially during your most private moments. But, some people are intent on secretly filming others.
Fortunately, there are ways to find hidden cameras easily. The SpyCentre's online selection of counter-surveillance devices lets anyone locate hidden bugs and cameras.
These gadgets work in several ways to find hidden devices. Some include lens finders while others will search for unusual frequencies which can include WiFi, radio transmissions, and cellular activity. Objects that are transmitting signals when they shouldn’t be such as air vents, could be hiding something else.
Do you need a detector to spot a hidden camera?
Using a hidden camera finder is the most effective way to sweep a house for these recording devices. Nevertheless, there other methods can be used for checking for hidden cameras.
- Look for unusual objects
- Turn off the lights and check for red night-vision lights
- Look for mirrors that are fixed to walls
- Check obvious sites such as fire alarms, smoke detectors, and air vents
- Use a network scanner to see which devices are using WiFi
Hidden cameras will usually be hidden where they get the best vantage point. Imagine you are placing a hidden camera, where would you put it? Take extra time to check showers, bathrooms, and bedrooms, as these are the most obvious places for cameras to be installed.
Mirrors that are fixed to walls may be using one-way glass and hiding a camera behind. Mirrors are usually free hanging. Mirrors fitted this way and other unusually placed objects are things to look out for.
What other hidden recording devices might you be concerned about?
One big concern today is having our sensitive data spied upon. It is worth knowing how to check for malware on an Android, and a PC. Spy shops often sell USB recovery sticks that also scan for hidden threats.
They also sell other gadgets to help locate other hidden recording devices. GPS trackers can be placed in bags and into vehicles to monitor your movements. Recording devices can be hidden to listen to conversations.
Recording devices can be used to spy and gather information regarding sensitive business deals, or they could be used by stalkers and other criminals. Scanners can be used to discover many of these surveillance devices and protect your privacy.
Summary
Fortunately, it is unlikely that you will ever be spied upon in your own home. But, the risk of hidden cameras and other recording devices is real. It has been reported that 11% of respondents to a 2019 survey said they had actually found a hidden camera inside an Airbnb.
When staying somewhere unfamiliar, you can do a quick sweep of the vicinity to look for anything unusual. For extra peace of mind, use a dedicated camera finder to ensure you and your family are not being spied upon.
Online Threat Alerts Security Tips
Pay the safest way
Credit cards are the safest way to pay for online purchases because you can dispute the charges if you never get the goods or services or if the offer was misrepresented. Federal law limits your liability to $50 if someone makes unauthorized charges to your account, and most credit card issuers will remove them completely if you report the problem promptly.
Guard your personal information
In any transaction you conduct, make sure to check with your state or local consumer protection agency and the Better Business Bureau (BBB) to see if the seller, charity, company, or organization is credible. Be especially wary if the entity is unfamiliar to you. Always call the number found on a website’s contact information to make sure the number legitimately belongs to the entity you are dealing with.
Be careful of the information you share
Never give out your codes, passwords or personal information, unless you are sure of who you're dealing with
Know who you’re dealing with
Crooks pretending to be from companies you do business with may call or send an email, claiming they need to verify your personal information. Don’t provide your credit card or bank account number unless you are actually paying for something and know who you are sending payment to. Your social security number should not be necessary unless you are applying for credit. Be especially suspicious if someone claiming to be from a company with whom you have an account asks for information that the business already has.
Check your accounts
Regularly check your account transactions and report any suspicious or unauthorised transactions.
Don’t believe promises of easy money
If someone claims that you can earn money with little or no work, get a loan or credit card even if you have bad credit, or make money on an investment with little or no risk, it’s probably a scam. Oftentimes, offers that seem too good to be true, actually are too good to be true.
Do not open email from people you don’t know
If you are unsure whether an email you received is legitimate, try contacting the sender directly via other means. Do not click on any links in an email unless you are sure it is safe.
Think before you click
If an email or text message looks suspicious, don’t open any attachments or click on the links.
Verify urgent requests or unsolicited emails, messages or phone calls before you respond
If you receive a message or a phone call asking for immediate action and don't know the sender, it could be a phishing message.
Be careful with links and new website addresses
Malicious website addresses may appear almost identical to legitimate sites. Scammers often use a slight variation in spelling or logo to lure you. Malicious links can also come from friends whose email has unknowingly been compromised, so be careful.
Secure your personal information
Before providing any personal information, such as your date of birth, Social Security number, account numbers, and passwords, be sure the website is secure.
Stay informed on the latest cyber threats
Keep yourself up to date on current scams by visiting this website daily.
Use Strong Passwords
Strong passwords are critical to online security.
Keep your software up to date and maintain preventative software programs
Keep all of your software applications up to date on your computers and mobile devices. Install software that provides antivirus, firewall, and email filter services.
Update the operating systems on your electronic devices
Make sure your operating systems (OSs) and applications are up to date on all of your electronic devices. Older and unpatched versions of OSs and software are the target of many hacks. Read the CISA security tip on Understanding Patches and Software Updates for more information.
What if You Got Scammed?
Stop Contact With The Scammer
Hang up the phone. Do not reply to emails, messages, or letters that the scammer sends. Do not make any more payments to the scammer. Beware of additional scammers who may contact you claiming they can help you get your lost money back.
Secure Your Finances
- Report potentially compromised bank account, credit or debit card information to your financial institution(s) immediately. They may be able to cancel or reverse fraudulent transactions.
- Notify the three major credit bureaus. They can add a fraud alert to warn potential credit grantors that you may be a victim of identity theft. You may also want to consider placing a free security freeze on your credit report. Doing so prevents lenders and others from accessing your credit report entirely, which will prevent them from extending credit:
- Equifax
- Experian
- TransUnion
Check Your Computer
If your computer was accessed or otherwise affected by a scam, check to make sure that your anti-virus is up-to-date and running and that your system is free of malware and keylogging software. You may also need to seek the help of a computer repair company. Consider utilizing the Better Business Bureau’s website to find a reputable company.
Change Your Account Passwords
Update your bank, credit card, social media, and email account passwords to try to limit further unauthorized access. Make sure to choose strong passwords when changing account passwords.
Report The Scam
Reporting helps protect others. While agencies can’t always track down perpetrators of crimes against scammers, they can utilize the information gathered to record patterns of abuse which may lead to action being taken against a company or industry.
Report your issue to the following agencies based on the nature of the scam:
- Local Law Enforcement: Consumers are encouraged to report scams to their local police department or sheriff’s office, especially if you lost money or property or had your identity compromised.
- Federal Trade Commission: Contact the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at 1-877-FTC-HELP (1-877-382-4357) or use the Online Complaint Assistant to report various types of fraud, including counterfeit checks, lottery or sweepstakes scams, and more.
- Identitytheft.gov: If someone is using your personal information, like your Social Security, credit card, or bank account number, to open new accounts, make purchases, or get a tax refund, report it at www.identitytheft.gov. This federal government site will also help you create your Identity Theft Report and a personal recovery plan based on your situation. Questions can be directed to 877-ID THEFT.
How To Recognize a Phishing Scam
Scammers use email or text messages to try to steal your passwords, account numbers, or Social Security numbers. If they get that information, they could get access to your email, bank, or other accounts. Or they could sell your information to other scammers. Scammers launch thousands of phishing attacks like these every day — and they’re often successful.
Scammers often update their tactics to keep up with the latest news or trends, but here are some common tactics used in phishing emails or text messages:
Phishing emails and text messages often tell a story to trick you into clicking on a link or opening an attachment. You might get an unexpected email or text message that looks like it’s from a company you know or trust, like a bank or a credit card or utility company. Or maybe it’s from an online payment website or app. The message could be from a scammer, who might
- say they’ve noticed some suspicious activity or log-in attempts — they haven’t
- claim there’s a problem with your account or your payment information — there isn’t
- say you need to confirm some personal or financial information — you don’t
- include an invoice you don’t recognize — it’s fake
- want you to click on a link to make a payment — but the link has malware
- say you’re eligible to register for a government refund — it’s a scam
- offer a coupon for free stuff — it’s not real
About Online Threat Alerts (OTA)
Online Threat Alerts or OTA is an anti-cybercrime community that started in 2012. OTA alerts the public to cyber crimes and other web threats.
By alerting the public, we have prevented a lot of online users from getting scammed or becoming victims of cybercrimes.
With the ever-increasing number of people going online, it important to have a community like OTA that continuously alerts or protects those same people from cyber-criminals, scammers and hackers, who are every day finding new ways of carrying out their malicious activities.
Online users can help by reporting suspicious or malicious messages or websites to OTA. And, if they want to determine if a message or website is a threat or scam, they can use OTA's search engine to search for the website or parts of the message for information.
Help maintain Online Threat Alerts (OTA).