How to Detect Tracking Devices

Satellites are used by GPS tracking devices to track the location of vehicles.

The rapid development of technology has made surveillance increasingly easy and effective, to the point that someone can invade your personal privacy without your being aware of it. Sometimes the surveillance is lawful, such as when law enforcement agencies keep tabs on people by hiding GPS trackers in their vehicles. However, sometimes people break the law and use these devices to track others. Knowing how to search for these trackers is something that may give peace of mind.

Things You'll Need

• Mechanic
• Radio frequency detector

Instructions

1. Search the inside of the car. Perform a complete and meticulous inspection in every area of the car including under all the seats, cushions, brake pedal, gas pedal, floor mats, behind the radio and in the trunk and glove compartment. You're looking for a device about the size of a cigarette pack. It will probably be unmarked and might have a light that flashes intermittently.

2. Take the car to a mechanic and tell him you believe a GPS tracking device might be somewhere in the vehicle. Have him perform a comprehensive inspection of all electrical wiring systems and mechanical parts as well as a thorough check of the entire engine for anything out of the ordinary.

3. Inspect the underbody of the vehicle, including the wheel wells, axles and exhaust pipes. The mechanic should raise the vehicle on a jack to get under the car, using a flashlight to search the underbody. Tracking devices are small and can easily be hidden. The mechanic should use his fingers to search any areas that are not clearly visible, feeling for any small items or devices.

4. Drive the car to a remote area far from other vehicles and signal emitting devices. Use the radio frequency detector to check for any outgoing signals from the car. A tracking device sends signals periodically but their frequency varies from once every few seconds to every 20 minutes. Therefore this process can be time consuming, depending on the tracker and when the RF detector was turned on.

5. Wait to see if the RF detector confirms the presence of transmitted signals. If there are not signals after 20 minutes, it is possible that there is no GPS tracker in the vehicle.

   If the RF detector does receive signals, then the tracker will have to be found by hand. In this case, take the car back to the mechanic for a more in-depth inspection, which could mean removing door panels, pulling seats out or searching the steering column.

Tips & Warnings

• Try to find a stronger signal by moving the RF detector in and around the car, leaving it for 20 minutes at each new position.

• Mobile phone signals will interfere with the radio frequency detector. Be sure to turn off any phones or devices that emit signals when searching with the detector.

References

• Vehicle Trackers: How to Find GPS Vehicle Tracking Device on Cars
• GPS Auto Tracker: How to Detect GPS Tracking Units
• PI Newswire: How to Find GPS Tracking Device on Cars

Resources

• Vedosoft: Spy Bug Detectors