Today, surveillance equipment is smaller, cheaper, and more commonplace than ever. It used to be that in order to set up a WIFI camera, you had to reconfigure your home network, set up an IP domain, and be willing to spend almost a thousand dollars just for basic equipment. Flash forward 20 years, and my grandmother, who barely knows how to use a smartphone, owns and installed her own doorbell camera. The industry really has changed, and anyone, regardless of their background, can easily use and operate these devices. But, there’s a flip side to this advancement, and now that the bar for entry is much lower, more and more people are purchasing cameras for nefarious intentions. The cause for concern has been around for a long time, but this has gone from rare to worrying.
In my line of work, people purchase hidden cameras for various reasons; some need evidence of abuse, others are protecting their homes from theft, and others are trying to ensure their personal safety. However, there is a dark side to this industry, and some people do use these cameras for this purpose. It is not something we are proud of, but we do our best to discourage such action. Everyone needs to be aware that this is a more common issue than the news would have you believe. We encourage you to take the extra steps necessary when staying in unfamiliar spaces. This includes changing rooms, bathrooms, hotels, short-term rentals, or any space where you might feel vulnerable.
In this post, we will cover a few key points. Risks to be aware of, how to detect a hidden camera, how to use a lens finder, and lastly, why the information on the internet for finding these devices is horribly misleading. There is a significant amount of misleading information (often referred to as clickbait) on the internet, and the majority of it is absolutely untrue. We work with and sell hidden cameras and have been in the industry for over 30 years. We are the experts, and today I’m going to provide you with a straightforward plan of action to ensure your space is safe and secure.
The Privacy And Safety Risk Is Real
Even if you're well-informed and think you have a good understanding of the world around you, a quick Google search will show thousands of results in just the past few years. It’s no longer a matter of staying at a reputable hotel or booking through a widely used platform; security is not a guarantee, and as numerous incidents demonstrate, it's best to take a proactive approach to ensure your privacy.
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A family staying in a rental in Arizona noticed a smoke detector above their bed and, after investigating, discovered it was a hidden camera. Within the camera was a memory card with footage going back to 2020 https://www.wdtv.com
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In North Carolina, a hotel employee discovered a hidden camera in a bathroom near the pool. https://www.wbtv.com
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In Texas, a woman had a room booked for a job interview at a hotel, only to discover that the man claiming to be the CEO had placed a hidden camera. http://www.fox4new.com
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A woman in New Hampshire discovered a hidden camera inside a hospital changing room, which had been installed by the hospital. http://www.wmur.com
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In Ohio, a family discovered a hidden camera in a bathroom in a rental cabin. After a police investigation and arrest, more cameras were found with recordings going back to 2019, with an estimated number of over 50 different victims. http://www.nbc4i.com
These are not isolated anecdotes. As cameras have become increasingly affordable, the potential for privacy invasion is higher than ever. So it’s wise to treat a new space as something to inspect rather than blindly trusting everything is safe.
Why a Detector Matters
To reiterate what was mentioned earlier, the bar for entry into purchasing a hidden camera is lower than it has ever been. And, with increased availability, the higher the likelihood that someone will buy these devices with criminal intentions. It’s not a question of 'could,' but 'when,' especially if you're the type, like myself, who enjoys going on vacations to unfamiliar and interesting places.
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According to other security experts, it is estimated that there is a 25% chance that a hidden camera is present in a hotel room, short-term rental property, or changing location. Consumeraffair.com
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Some cameras can stream live video, while others only store information to a memory card. That’s what makes these devices difficult to detect with traditional detection tools, which only search for RF signals.
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A hidden camera can be concealed in practically any object, ranging from larger items like clocks, tissue boxes, pieces of furniture, or televisions, to smaller ones like wall outlets, the head of a screw, or even a small hole in a ceiling tile. There are endless options when it comes to hidden cameras, and only a camera detector can locate them all.
In short, even when you choose a “trusted” place, your privacy may still be vulnerable, and a detector enhances your situational awareness.
Disclaimer: Before we begin, not everyone knows what they are doing
Let’s be honest, almost every YouTube video, online tutorial guide, or news article titled “How to locate a hidden camera” is clickbait. There are thousands of these, and over the years, I have had many customers come in and claim they can locate a camera using something like a phone app, a flashlight, or, in one strange case, a guy who said he could hear them. And in each instance, I’ve pulled out two devices that look identical and asked them to detect which had the camera. And, you guessed it, the majority of them failed. You can find video after video on YouTube showing these “tricks” to locate hidden cameras, and they are all produced by content creators, not experts in the field. And that’s the problem; there are way too many people out there disseminating information that just isn't true, and since these individuals are more concerned with view counts, there is little to no incentive for them to be honest. This is a major problem in many industries, and although I’m in no position to fix them all, I can at least help with this bit of information.
How to Locate a Hidden Camera
The first thing before we begin is to ensure the right tool for the job is being used. The Hidden Camera Detector With IR Finder is the device we recommend at SpyCentre Security, and for very good reasons. This device is fully capable of locating even the most miniature camera from 40 feet away, and the viewfinder area is large enough that even someone with less than perfect vision can easily use it without straining their eyes. There is also an IR detector for locating a night vision-equipped camera, which is simple to use and operate. Additionally, it comes with a tester, allowing you to practice finding a camera and familiarize yourself with what to look for.
Practicing with the device and the tester lens is a great way to feel more comfortable using the tool and learning how it works. You will quickly notice that the IR lights are powerful and capable of detection from a good distance away. When you are too close to the tester lens, the light disperses, making it more challenging to see the lens with the blinking mode enabled. This actually works to your advantage because you can first scan from a distance in blinking mode, and then switch to the solid light mode to get closer and inspect the location. Start from a good distance away and stand directly in front of the camera lens. The refracted IR light will blink at the lens location. Next, move around a little and familiarize yourself with what happens when you're moving left, right, up, and down. This will help you notice cameras and how the refracted light plays off them. Now that we have that out of the way, let’s begin.
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What does the person who installed the camera want? This is the most essential question to begin with and is often ignored. If a person installed a hidden camera to capture someone in the shower, then to find the hidden camera, stand in the shower and look around with the camera lens finder. It’s unlikely to locate a small camera pointed at a shower if you're standing in the door frame, so just like you practiced, put yourself directly in front of where the camera would be pointed and follow this same principle for every location you check. Be in the position where the camera would be pointed at.
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Seriously, be in the position where the camera is pointing: A common response I hear is not knowing exactly where to start, or what to look for. There are some creepy people out there, and for your and your family's security, it means taking precautions such as inspecting places where we could be at our most vulnerable with a hidden camera lens finder. This includes closets, bedrooms, and under toilet seats Actionnews5.com
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If you see something, do something: If you see any reflection, your next step is determining if it’s a hidden camera lens refracting, or just a reflection of light. There's an easy way to do this: simply move left, right, up, and down while using the camera finder. If the light remains, it’s more likely a reflection, resulting in a false positive. However, if the light disappears and returns when you return to the original position, you have likely found a camera. It’s a good idea to inspect even potential false positives, but this is to confirm that they are indeed false positives. Switch the device to solid light mode and get closer, paying attention to what the light does when you move around.
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Inspect the location: This part can be simple or more complicated depending on where you are and what object/ location you are dealing with. If the refracted light is spotted on something like a clock, then it is relatively easy to take a closer look at it. However, if the refracted light is on something too large to move, such as the ceiling, or it's behind a wall-mounted mirror, then it would be challenging to inspect those objects safely. If you compound this issue by also being at a hotel or rental location, then I would highly suggest not causing any damage to the place, since we have yet to confirm if it is a camera or not at this point.
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What to do if the potential camera is inside something that you can’t move/remove: If you have inspected the location but can’t find a way to get better access to where the camera is located safely, then the next step is a big decision to make. Obviously, I do not recommend destroying your home, and I also don’t recommend anything that could result in you being liable for property damage. If there is no feasible way for you to access the camera, and you can’t reasonably inspect the area any further, I would recommend blocking the camera lens and documenting the information you gathered, including how you obtained it. This will minimize the risk of property damage and allow you to feel more secure while occupying the space. Pinhole cameras are no larger than the camera on your smartphone, so simply use something like electrical tape to cover the area where the refracting light occurred, obscuring the lens location. Then, use the camera finder again and see if you can get a refraction of light. If you can still see it, then add more tape until the refraction no longer occurs. If you can’t see the camera, then the camera can’t see you; it's that simple.
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What to do if the potential camera is in something you can move/remove: So the device you found is in your hand, and you need to know what to do next. The first step would be to determine if there are any telltale signs that the object is not what it appears to be. Look for features such as memory card ports, on/off buttons, and other markings that may indicate that something is off. Some devices are pre-built to resemble everyday items, while others are more custom-made by the person who created them. Custom devices are significantly more challenging to determine if they are cameras or not, but all cameras require the same three basic things. A camera lens. A board to process the information. And, a power source, such as a battery or a consistent source. Some cameras are self-contained devices, so they likely have a memory card or the ability to access memory through a port. Other cameras could be remotely accessible. These cameras may not require internal memory and are storing the information somewhere else. They may function off of Wi-Fi or over another wireless network, such as Cellular, Bluetooth, or WiMAX. If you have the device in hand, but are unable to determine 100% it's a camera and/or are in a position or location where you could be held financially liable for property damage, I would suggest the electrical tape method as mentioned before, and testing to see if you can see the refraction afterwards.
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So you decided to take the object apart: Again, for liability purposes, I need to state that we do not condone the destruction of property. However, if you have already taken the device apart, then here is what you should be looking for. Camera lenses can be quite small, but they are typically mounted on a surface that allows them to view outward. This is what you were seeing being refracted, and you could test it on the lens you found. Additionally, a board should be connected to the camera. This is typically where you will find a memory card if the camera stores footage internally. I recommend documenting all of this through pictures and video so that you have this information for the next step.
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Make a police report before you do anything else: This part is critical if you are planning on potentially pressing charges. If you are 100% sure it's a camera, you need to make a police report before any other actions are taken. By taking actions such as removing the memory card and attempting to review it on your own, you may be tampering with evidence that could harm your case in the future.
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What to do now that you have located a hidden camera: Keep searching for other hidden cameras. To reiterate what was stated earlier, hidden cameras are less expensive than they used to be, and if you found one, there are likely more. CBC News YouTube
Misleading And False Information on Finding Cameras
One significant advantage SpyCentre Security has over other online-only retailers is that we must ensure the device works and demonstrate to customers how it functions. We carry a variety of hidden cameras and can demonstrate how to find them all with our Hidden Camera Detector. There are hundreds of different lens detectors on the market, and over the years, I’ve had the opportunity to test many of them. The unfortunate truth is, you get what you pay for. And, with that in mind, I want to directly address some of the misleading information that I’ve seen repeated over and over again and why.
Example 1 False Information:
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Here’s a simple sequence you can follow upon checking into a new space: Enter the room, close the door, keep your phone and detector ready. Turn off the main lights and draw the curtains/blinds, if possible. Use your phone's camera flashlight and visually scan the following areas: bed area, nightstands, lamps, outlets, shelves, smoke detector, vents, mirrors, and picture frames.
Example 1 Explained, Broken Down, and Why it’s False:
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In this example, they are using the flashlight trick. The idea is that light will reflect off a glass surface, so it should see a camera lens. By closing the curtains, they maximize the reflective ability of the light. It is true that you can see some small cameras this way, but they will not capture the vast majority of them. The part that is conveniently left out is that you will need to get very close to everything you are pointing the flashlight at, and even then, you're likely to miss it.
Example 2 False Information:
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Run your phone's network scan: open the WiFi list and use a scanning app if desired. Activate your detector device: scan slowly from left to right, and then from bottom to top, paying extra attention to the areas you flagged in the previous steps.
Example 2 Explained, Broken Down, and Why it’s False:
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The apps labeled camera detectors do not work. The only thing they are capable of doing is turning on your phone camera, and that’s it. All of these apps claim to detect night vision cameras, and that is true, but not in the way you might think. You see, cameras, such as your phone's camera, can detect light within the infrared spectrum, and night vision features on cameras utilize this infrared light to enhance visibility in low-light conditions. So, simply put, if you are trying to find something that emits IR light, just turn on your phone's camera and look at it. Another misleading claim is that an app can scan the Wi-Fi network. However, they overlook the fact that if you are an administrator of a Wi-Fi network, you can already do this through your Wi-Fi provider's app. There are apps available that can identify specific signal types, indicating whether they are from devices such as Apple products. Still, these cannot accurately locate where that Apple product is physically hidden all the time. Personally, I have tested a number of these apps, and they sometimes work. However, if I’m trying to locate a device that I didn't already know its location, wasn’t an Apple product, and didn't work via Bluetooth, they are practically useless.
Example 3 False Information:
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In quiet conditions, you may hear faint buzzing or clicking from a transmitting or recording device. Some image-finding tips reference noting electromagnetic interference.
Example 3 Explained, Broken Down, and Why it’s False:
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I have heard this many times, that someone can “hear” a camera. Let’s start with the obvious. If you hear a buzzing or clicking sound from a device that does not have physically moving parts, that is cause for concern because the sound could be a broken wire trying to complete a connection or a power source that is on its last leg. In both cases, whatever is causing the noise needs to be addressed, but not because it’s a hidden camera.
There are many more examples of “tricks” or “hacks” for finding hidden cameras out there that just overcomplicate and mislead from the obvious answer—the correct tool for the job matters. If you are going to locate a hidden camera, use a camera finder; they are incredibly simple to use. Anything else is like trying to use a screwdriver to hammer in a nail.
Final Thought
Your privacy is one of the few things you bring with you when you travel, stay in a rental, or use a changing room. In an age where cameras are less expensive, smaller, and easily networked, relying solely on trust or “I picked a good place” is no longer enough. A hidden-camera detector is not about being paranoid; it’s about being prepared. The advantage of using the Hidden Camera Detector With IR Finder is that it is really easy to use, and in most cases, rooms can be adequately swept within a few minutes. Hotels, short-term rentals, restrooms, and changing rooms are supposed to provide you with privacy, and your expectation is a safe and private space. Don’t leave it to chance and give yourself the peace of mind you deserve.
Article Links:
Hidden Camera Detector With IR Finder Device For Locating A Hidden Camera