How to check for Spy Cameras in your hotel room

There are many reasons why you would seek to find hidden spy cameras. Protect your privacy, especially if your on a sensitive trip; prevent eavesdropping when conducting sensitive meetings with peace of mind.

There is nothing wrong with being over cautious checking the hotel room as you arrive?  You have probably seen or heard of scenarios where they have been recorded when innocently booking into a hotel room or AirBNB. If you follow the simple 5 steps below you can protect your privacy from others.
 
5 steps to check your hotel room for spy cameras or listening devices.

1. Scan the surroundings
Familiarise yourself with your temporary surroundings. Whether your just staying for a night or a few weeks is makes logical sense to review the room or premises first.

Common places to check where a device is more likely to be hidden are:
Wall furnishings such as clocks and picture frames
Electrical sockets and extension leads
Cushions
Tissue boxes
Table lamps
Light bulbs, Smoke detectors & CO2 alarms

2. Look for the flashing light
Many surveillance cameras have a flashing light to indicate when it is operating. Turn off the lights as it is easier to locate flashing lens in low light. Remember to sweep the room in a clockwise direction to make sure you don’t miss anything. It is always better to take a rigid approach i.e clockwise, left to right, top to bottom as should you delve deeper to turn your attention to a an area or device, you may forget what you have already completed.

3. Use your mobile phone
Spy cameras can create noise and interference during a mobile phone call. Walk round in a clockwise direction and stop if the call is interrupted or picks up a background noise.

4. Use the light on your mobile phone
One of the most effective ways of locating a camera lens is to turn off the lights in the room. Turn on the flashlight and sweep the room in a clockwise direction. You are looking for a reflection from the lens. If there is a visible lens it reflect back the light, look for the reflection and investigate further.

5. Check the mirrors
Mirrors can hide camera behind them as it may be one way. It is always best to check mirrors especially if they are not flush with the wall or deep.
Put your hand on the front of the mirror glass. Look for a gap between your reflection and your hand (if there is, then you’re fine. If not, then there may be something hidden there).
First place to check is the bathroom, the last thing you want is someone viewing or recording your intimate moments. If you carefully remove the mirror you should be able to detect a tampered mirror or indeed a device hidden behind.

There are some great compact camera and bug finders from £25 available to assist you in detecting spy cameras and spy bugs . They don't need to break the bank.

What should you do if you find a hidden camera?
It’s probably illegal if a camera is placed in a location that a customer would reasonably expect to be private. This is especially in areas such as bathrooms and toilets.
Don’t tamper with the device, but obstruct its view by placing something infant of it.
Don’t panic and report the device to the relevant authorities. Remember most spy cameras do not also have sound recording if it's a small lens only. The sound pickup would have to come from a microphone which is normally not included in amateur spy cameras with a lens on a thin cable.