People Are Discovering Hidden Cameras In Common Objects – Here’s How To Spot Them And Stay Safe
Camera technology is getting smaller and smaller, which is not necessarily a bad thing. Police and detectives use these small cameras to record and catch criminals all the time. On the flip side, these new, smaller cameras also mean that creeps are finding new ways to secretly record people.
You have to be extra careful if you're in an Airbnb or rented home. We could have never imagined people would find hidden cameras in coffee cups, pen holders, screws, and wall outlets, but here we are. Prepare to be creeped out.
In A Water Bottle
Portable cameras like this one are great for detectives.
You generally don't see your average, everyday creep walking around with a spy camera like this one, although they could easily use something like this if they wanted to.
In A Smoke Detector
These people were staying in an Airbnb when they saw something suspicious on the ceiling.
They took down the smoke detector and discovered that there was a hidden camera inside.
In A Motion Sensor
Twitter user @textfiles posted this photo online along with the caption: "In 'oh, that's a thing now' news, a colleague of mine thought it odd that there was a single 'motion detector' in his Airbnb in the bedroom and voila, it's an IP camera connected to the web.
(He left at 3am, reported, host is suspended, colleague got a refund.)"
In A Notebook
This person found a hidden camera inside a notebook. This one isn't all that hidden, so it's probably good for detectives on the go.
This is something that a detective could easily carry around with them without raising suspicion.
In A Wall Clock
Can you spot the camera hidden in this wall clock?
Look really closely. It's at the bottom of the clock in the rim under the "6." That's really quite scary.
In A Wall Outlet
Wall outlets are perfect for hiding cameras. You can tuck all of the wires into the wall and nobody ever inspects wall outlets all that closely.
Now we're all going to be looking at our outlets twice.
In A Phone Charger
This person was staying in an Airbnb when they found a hidden camera disguised as a phone charger.
He reported the camera to the police, but the police couldn't do much about it.
In A Flash Drive
This device looks like it could be used by detectives or by your garden variety creeps. It's either useful or awful.
That's kind of how spy devices work. This does look pretty sleek.
In A Coffee Cup
We've seen detectives use devices like this one on TV shows all the time.
It turns out, detectives use these coffee cup cameras in real life too. It's pretty cool.
Another Camera In A Smoke Detector
This smoke detector doesn't actually work as a smoke detector.
Inside, there is a hidden night vision HD camera and a DVR. Apparently, you can pack a lot of equipment in there.
In A Sprinkler
These sprinklers are supposed to keep us safe, but in this case, we're not even sure if this sprinkler has the ability to spray water.
It definitely has a camera in it.
Another Smoke Detector
Smoke detectors seem to be the perfect place for hiding little cameras.
Basically, you should always be checking the smoke detector whenever you get into a hotel or an Airbnb.
In A Digital Clock
This person found a hidden camera tucked away in a digital alarm clock in their Airbnb.
This one isn't even trying to hide. It's just out here in plain sight.
In A Pen Holder
This pen holder has a hidden camera in it. It's not that big circle in the middle, but it's in the little green sticker at the bottom.
That's super sneaky.
In A USB Charger
This Reddit user posted this photo online along with the caption, "Found this camera disguised as a USB charger in the woman's bathroom at the Starbucks I work at.
It was plugged in directly across from the toilet. Please keep an eye out!"
Found In An Airbnb
This husband and father found a hidden camera in the Airbnb he and his family were staying in.
They all posed for this picture and then reported the camera to the authorities.
Another Digital Clock
People love to hide cameras in digital clocks, apparently.
Here's another device that you should always inspect for cameras whenever you check into a new rental place, hotel, or Airbnb.
In An Air Freshener
This one seems especially nefarious. Air fresheners are supposed to smell wonderful, they're not supposed to smell fishy.
Something definitely smells fishy about this one. Can you see the camera in it?
In A Bottle Of Body Wash
This one is particularly scary because you just know that somebody is hiding this one in a shower.
Let's just hope that whoever set this camera up gets punished appropriately.
In A Screw Head
How have cameras gotten so small that they can fit inside the head of a screw? This isn't actually a screw at all. It just looks like one.
There's nothing behind the screw head but wires.
Behind The Screw Head
This is what is actually going on behind that screw head.
It's connected to a bunch of wires and cables that can transmit visual and audio data. It's actually kind of impressive.
In A European Socket
It seems like people in Europe have as much trouble with hidden cameras in their electrical sockets as we have here in North America.
Can you spot the hidden camera in this photo?
How To Spot A Hidden Camera
Review the photos of your Airbnb or rental property very carefully. Read the reviews and the description of the property to make sure there isn't anything fishy going on.
Technically, Airbnb owners have to disclose if there's a camera on the property.
Get To Know What Hidden Cameras Look Like
Now that you've seen some of the places where cameras can be hidden, you're better equipped to know what to look for when you get into a new Airbnb.
Don't forget to check the smoke detector.
Ask About Cameras
Always ask your Airbnb host if there are any cameras on the property.
It's even better if you can ask the host in person because it's harder to lie to someone when they're standing in front of you.
Search The Property
Do a full sweep of the property when you check in to make sure that there aren't any cameras lurking in hard-to-see places.
Use a flashlight to check for any reflective surfaces.
Use An App
There are a lot of apps available that can help you detect hidden cameras. These apps will find any cameras that may be connected to the Airbnb's wifi network.
It doesn't work for cameras that aren't connected to wifi, though.
Use A Handheld Camera Detector
To find cameras without wifi capabilities, you can use a hidden camera finding device that detects radio frequencies that some cameras emit.
You can find these handheld devices on Amazon.
Use Your Phone At Night
A lot of hidden cameras start recording at night. Turn all of the lights off and then use the camera on your phone to scan the room.
Your camera may pick up tiny flickering lights that you can't see with your eyes.
