More creeps are using small hidden cameras – How to spot them

December 2, 2024

By Kim Komando

It seems like every week, there’s another disturbing story in the news about hidden cameras. Spying on unsuspecting victims is nothing new, and, thanks to today’s tech, these creeps have taken their creepiness to a whole new level. Unfortunately, it’s easier than ever to get away with these crimes. Here are some recent ones we know about.

In a church bathroom

Will Johnson, a pastor in Michigan, admitted to placing a hidden camera in the church bathroom stall and recording people for the last two years. Johnson confessed everything to police, who are now trying to find where all these recordings ended up. I bet it’s probably some sicko porn site.

In a doctor’s office

In Pennsylvania, a chiropractor was caught using hidden cameras to record patients as they undressed. Police found a hidden camera in his office disguised as a working digital clock.

In a Starbucks bathroom

A Starbucks customer in San Jose, California, noticed something unusual about the bathroom’s baby-changing station. You guessed it — a camera’s tiny lens was strategically placed to record patrons using the bathroom.

In a teen’s bathroom

You’re not going to believe this one. A Kentucky family found a hidden camera in their 13-year-old daughter’s bathroom. A man living in the apartment above them had run a borescope inspection camera through his floor and into the ceiling of the teen’s shower below.

Do a manual sweep for hidden cameras

Today’s cameras are so small, they can be hidden virtually anywhere — lamps, light fixtures, vases, flowerpots, smoke detectors, air filters, vents, decorations, TV remotes and even within water bottles. Here are a few tips for spotting them:

• Inspect your surroundings: Shine a flashlight on mirrors, smoke detectors and alarm clocks. Hidden cameras often have tiny lenses or holes that reflect light.
• Use a hidden camera detector: They detect wireless signals or infrared light emitted by many hidden cameras. Here’s one I like.
• Check Wi‑Fi networks: In hotels, rentals or offices, scan the list of available Wi‑Fi networks nearby. If you see devices you don’t recognize, they could be hidden cameras.
• Cover suspicious devices: Blocking the view is a simple way to ensure some privacy. Any hidden cameras, though, will probably still record audio.
• Report it immediately: If you find a hidden camera, don’t tamper with it. Take photos, document everything and call the police.

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