Unfortunately, being put under surveillance or having your house bugged isn’t something that’s confined to a plot in a spy novel. Hidden recording or video equipment can be placed in your home or on your vehicle, without you being any the wiser.
Whether it’s a domestic issue or you are concerned that you could be the victim of corporate espionage, you need to act fast to protect your privacy. But what actions should you take to ensure your boundaries are being respected?
In this article, we will explain how to tell if your house is bugged, and what you can do to prevent further invasions of your privacy.
Disclosure of sensitive information
Often the first indication that your house or office could be bugged is the disclosure of sensitive information that you know hasn’t left the vicinity of your home or office space.
If a business competitor is using an exact campaign or piece of information that you’ve never discussed outside of the workplace or the security of your home, this is a red flag.
It could suggest that your company’s secrets are no longer safe and secure, and you will need to make a sweep for physical bugs or recording devices. If you are at all worried, employing an expert private investigator who knows precisely where to look for bugs in your home or office can put your mind at ease.
Audio interference and phone tapping
If you can hear any static, crackling or popping sounds on a landline phone number, this can be an indication that your phone lines are being interfered with. There also might be sudden changes in volume or odd drops in signal. Make sure you never disclose any important information over the phone if you suspect your calls aren’t secure.
TV and radio interference
Certain smart TVs and radios that are connected to the internet have the capacity to be hacked and can be used to listen to conversations. Even more worryingly, hackers can also use this breach to access social media profiles and account information.
If you have an old radio with an antenna, you can use this to check whether your devices are compromised. If the radio comes into contact with a listening device or bug, a high-pitch sound will play out of its speakers.
Small holes drilled into devices, hidden places or walls
Check out the items in your home such as your smoke alarm, clocks or photographs. Do you notice any small, drilled holes that you haven’t done yourself? Bugs and microphone equipment often need a small hole so that the sound quality is good enough to record.
Also, check the bottom of items in your home or office, as well as those that are obscured from view. This is a more likely place for bugs to be installed as they are harder to detect.
Protect yourself today
It’s a terrible feeling if you don’t trust the security of your home. If you are suspicious that someone is listening in on your conversations or has bugged your house, it’s imperative you take the necessary steps to find the bugs and get rid of them.
Arrange a free consultation with our team today and our Manchester-based private investigators will put together a plan of action to sweep for bugging equipment. Plus, they can employ countermeasures for protection if required. Your safety and security are paramount, and you deserve to sleep soundly at night without fear of your conversations being recorded.