Detecting a Phone Tap

Is your phone being tapped?

Phone tap technology is constantly evolving. The devices used by the government and law enforcement to listen in on the conversations of suspected criminals are often far more advanced and difficult to detect than devices used by amateurs. However, if you suspect that an amateur eavesdropper has bugged the phones in your home and is listening in on your calls, there are several signs you can look out for to determine whether or not this is the case.

Instructions

1. Check all phone receivers and cords in your home for signs of tampering, or for anything that doesn't look like it should be on them. Some tapping devices appear in the form of coils on your phone wires, while others may be placed inside the phone receiver or base.

2. Look outside your home at the area where the phone lines attach to your house. If there are any small secondary boxes or wires that don't seem to fit in with the rest, they may have been installed by someone interested in listening to your calls.

3. Listen for changes in volume and strange sounds during your phone calls, such as scratching or static--often caused by amateur phone tap devices. Your phone may also make faint sounds when you aren't using it; this generally happens if it has been tapped with a device that allows an eavesdropper to listen to anything being said within approximately 20 feet of the phone, even when it's on the hook.

4. Pay attention to how often your phone rings but nobody is on the line when you answer. While some of these calls may simply be wrong numbers, if it's happening frequently, it may be a sign that your phone has been outfitted with a "slave device," which is used to transmit recorded information to eavesdroppers.

5. Purchase a device that detects phone taps, such as a frequency counter, if you feel fairly certain that someone is listening in on your conversations. Many of these devices simply attach to your phone and will let you know if someone is indeed listening by displaying a small red or green light.

Tips & Warnings

• Contact the phone company if you have determined that someone is likely tapping your phone line. A technician can be sent over to your home to look things over and remove any unauthorized eavesdropping devices.

References

• Espykit.com: Best Methods to Check for Phone Taps
• EInvestigator.com: How Do I Know if I've Been Bugged With Electronic Surveillance Tools?