Eavesdropping - Warning Signs
How to Spot and React

The aim is to spot any eavesdropping warning signs by becoming vigilant, careful and aware without becoming paranoid.

• Do people seem to know what you are doing and where you are going when they shouldn't? Ask yourself how they might have learned that information, perhaps they are psychic (doubtful)?
• Have you noticed abnormal sounds and or volume changes on your phones? This can be caused by amateur eavesdroppers when they attach a wiretap, or activate a similar listening device. These types of devices often have an effect on the telephone line, such as a shift in volume or drop-out. The equipment used by professional eavesdroppers usually does not make these noises; so if this is occurring, it could indicate that an amateur eavesdropper is listening in. On the other hand you could simply be on a bad line or experiencing crosstalk a fairly common problem. However if it occurs on a regular basis, you should check it out.
• Have you noticed static, popping, or scratching on your phone lines? This again can be caused by a bad line, but it can also be caused by the capacitive discharge which occurs when two conductors are connected together (such as a bug or wiretap on a phone line). If this type of problem occurs, get your system checked out.
• Are sounds still coming from your phones handset when it's hung up? This is often caused by a hook switch bypass, which turns the telephone receiver into an eavesdropping microphone (and also a speaker). If this is happening, there is probably somebody listening to everything you say or do within twenty feet of the telephone, you may even be able to see them.
• Does your phone often ring and when you answer nobody is there, or a very faint tone, or high pitched squeal/beep is heard for a fraction of a second? Of course these noises may be nothing more then a fax machine or a modem calling the wrong number or a computerised sales call (which dials many numbers at the same time, but only answers the first line to pick up). Alternatively it could indicate a slave device, or line extender being used on your phone line. There is also the possibility that a harmonica bug, or an infinity transmitter is being used. You should evaluate the situation to make sure.
• Do others know your confidential business or professional trade secrets? This is the most obvious warning sign of covert eavesdropping activities. When your competitors know things that are obviously private, or the media finds out about things they should not know, then it is reasonable to suspect technical eavesdropping or bugging. Theft of confidential information is a multi-billion dollar underground industry occurring throughout the world. Often the loss of your secrets will show up in very subtle ways, so you should always trust your instincts in this matter.
• Do secret meetings and bids seem to be less than secret? Confidential meetings and bids are very popular targets for corporate spies. How would you like the plans for the corporate takeovers you're planning to become public knowledge? Would copies of your product designs be of any use to your competitors? Would it be beneficial for your competitors to know how much you're quoting for the same project?
• Has your AM/FM radio suddenly developed strange interference? Many amateur and spy shop eavesdropping devices use frequencies within or just outside the FM radio band, these signals tend to drift and will affect an FM radio in the vicinity of the bug. You can search for these bugs yourself by turning off the stereo function so that the radio is operating in mono, this will provide a large increase in sensitivity. Then try looking for transmissions at the far ends of the FM radio band, and at any quiet area within the FM band. If the radio begins to squeal then slowly move it around the room until the sound become very high pitched. This is referred to as feedback detection or loop detection and will often locate the bug. If you find a "squealer" in this manner then immediately contact an expert
• Has your car radio suddenly started acting strangely? The aerial/antenna that your car radio uses may be (and often is) exploited by an eavesdropper. This covert usage may interfere with radio reception. Therefore if you car radio suddenly starts acting in a strange manner get it investigated
• Has your television suddenly developed strange interference? Television broadcast frequencies are often used to cloak an eavesdropping signal, but such signals also tend to interfere with television reception (usually a UHF channel). Televisions also draw in a lot of RF energy and because of this are very sensitive to any nearby transmitters (this is technically called Bandwidth, and TV signals use a lot of it). A small handheld television with a collapsible aerial can be used to sweep a room. Carefully watch for interference around certain channel numbers some of which are very popular with eavesdroppers.
• Have you been the victim of a burglary where nothing was taken? Professional eavesdroppers often break into a targets home or office, and very rarely leave direct evidence of the break-in; however, occupants of the premises will often "pickup on something not being right" such as the furniture being moved slightly – even a fraction of an inch. A very popular location for the installation of eavesdropping device is either behind, or inside furniture (couch, chair, lamp, etc.). Pay close attention to the imprint which furniture makes on rugs, and the position of lamps shades. Also watch the distance between furniture and the wall as eavesdroppers are usually in a hurry and rarely put the furniture back in the right place. A less than professional spy will often rummage through a targets home for hours, but very rarely will they do it in a neat and orderly fashion. The most common rummaging targets are the backs of desk drawers, the bottom of file cabinets, closets, and dresser drawers.
• Have any Electrical sockets or wall switches been moved slightly? One of the most popular locations to hide eavesdropping devices is inside, or behind electrical outlets, switches, smoke alarms, and lighting fixtures. This requires the face plates to be removed. Look for small amounts of debris located on the floor directly below the electrical outlet. Also, watch for slight variations in the colour or appearance of the power outlets and/or light switches as these are often swapped over by an eavesdropper. Also note if any of the screws which hold the face plates against the wall have been moved from their previous position.
• Have any small areas of discoloration suddenly appeared on any walls or ceilings? These could be tell tale signs that a pinhole microphone or small covert video camera have been recently installed.
• Have any of your suppliers recently given you any type of electronic device such as, a desk radio, alarm clock, lamp, small speaker, CD player, desk lamp etc? Many of these "gifts" can actually be Trojan horses which contain eavesdropping devices. Be very suspicious of any kind of pen, marker, briefcase, calculator, "post-it" dispenser, power adapter, pager, cell phone, 1. furniture (couch, chair, lamp, etc.). Pay close attention to the imprint which furniture makes on rugs, and the position of lamps shades. Also watch the distance between furniture and the wall as eavesdroppers are usually in a hurry and rarely put the furniture back in the right place. A less than professional spy will often rummage through a targets home for hours, but very rarely will they do it in a neat and orderly fashion. The most common rummaging targets are the backs of desk drawers, the bottom of file cabinets, closets, and dresser drawers.
• Have any Electrical sockets or wall switches been moved slightly? One of the most popular locations to hide eavesdropping devices is inside, or behind electrical outlets, switches, smoke alarms, and lighting fixtures. This requires the face plates to be removed. Look for small amounts of debris located on the floor directly below the electrical outlet. Also, watch for slight variations in the colour or appearance of the power outlets and/or light switches as these are often swapped over by an eavesdropper. Also note if any of the screws which hold the face plates against the wall have been moved from their previous position.
• Have any small areas of discoloration suddenly appeared on any walls or ceilings? These could be tell tale signs that a pinhole microphone or small covert video camera have been recently installed.
• Have any of your suppliers recently given you any type of electronic device such as, a desk radio, alarm clock, lamp, small speaker, CD player, desk lamp etc? Many of these "gifts" can actually be Trojan horses which contain eavesdropping devices. Be very suspicious of any kind of pen, marker, briefcase, calculator, "post-it" dispenser, power adapter, pager, cell phone, cracked, chipped, or gouged ceiling tile, or ones that are sagging, or not properly set into the track? These signs are prime indicators that a ceiling tile has been moved around, and that someone may have installed a hidden video camera or other eavesdropping device in your office or near your desk. Also watch for cracks or chips in the ceiling tiles. Amateur and poorly trained spies/eavesdroppers tend to crack or damage acoustical tiles. The ceiling tiles in any executive areas should never contain any cracks, nicks, gouges, or stains. Any ceiling tile that becomes damaged (for what ever reason) should immediately be replaced and the cause of the damage documented. In such cases it is also wise to have a professional inspect the area around the chipped, broken, or damaged tile to determine if a hostile eavesdropping device may have been introduced.
• Do your door locks suddenly not feel right, do they suddenly start to get "sticky", or completely fail? This is strong evidence that the lock has been picked, manipulated, or bypassed. Try to always use biaxial locks with sidebars. Also, only use double sided deadbolts in all doors, and good quality window bars on all windows, and a good quality door bar on all doors not used as a primary entry door.
• Do telephone, cable, plumbing, or air conditioning repair/service people show up to do work when no one called them? A very common ruse which eavesdroppers use to get into a facility is to fake a utility supply outage, and then show up to fix the problem. While they are fixing "the problem" they are also installing eavesdropping devices. Some of the more popular supply outage problems involve power, air conditioning, telephone, and even the occasional false fire alarm. Remember in most cases all these people need is a workman’s uniform , a toolbox, a clipboard with some forms and a hard hat to gain entrance unchecked. Check identities of all service/repair personnel with their employers before allowing them to work in or around your buildings (use telephone numbers you have on record, not those supplied by these individuals). In sensitive areas make sure that these personnel are always accompanied and monitored.
• Are service or delivery trucks often parked nearby with nobody (you can see) in them? These types of vehicles are commonly used as listening posts, be very cautious of any vehicle which has a ladder or pipe rack on the roof. Also, be wary of any vehicle which has tinted windows, or an area which you cannot see though (like a service van). The listening post vehicle could be any vehicle from a small Geo Tracker, Suburban, Blazer, Trooper, or Cargo Van. Look for any vehicle which could conceal a person in the back or has tinted windows. Also, keep in mind that the eavesdropper may relocate the vehicle several times, so look around. Typically, eavesdroppers like to get within 500-750 feet from the place or person they are eavesdropping on.
• Have you noticed Phone Company trucks or other utilities workers are spending a lot of time near your home or office doing repair work. If you see the same or similar vehicles more then three times then you may have a serious problem, it is as well to check with the head office of the company concerned.

• An eavesdropper may even send you a copy of your private conversations. An eavesdropper will sometimes send a victim a copy of a private conversation they intercepted in an attempt at blackmail, or in an attempt to terrorize, or to just stalk the victim. This is commonly seen in civil lawsuits, criminal court cases, marital problems, shareholder disputes, custody battles, and other situations where one side has a position of weakness and is trying to physiologically undermine their opponent.

For additional information, including hundreds of tips on how to protect your family, see our NEW security and safety book 'How to Protect your Family and Belongings Now'

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