If you have reason to believe that your cell phone or landline is tapped, there are some clues you can look for that might support your suspicions. However, many of these indicators can be caused by other sources, so you need to check multiple signals rather than relying on just one. Once you have enough evidence, you can seek official help. Here's what to look for if you suspect someone has installed a listening device on your phone.
Steps
Part 1 of 5: Initial Suspicions
Step 1. Start worrying when your secrets get out
If confidential information, which only a small number of trusted people should have, suddenly leaks out, there could be a chance that the leak was the result of a wiretap, especially if you've discussed the information over the phone at some point.
- The question becomes more important if you are in a position that makes you valuable to spy on. For example, if you hold a high-level position in a powerful company with many competitors, you may be in danger of falling prey to the underground information market.
- On the other hand, your reasons for getting wired can be simple, like a messy divorce. Your future ex-spouse can wire you if they want information that might be helpful during the process.
- If you want to test, you can issue false information that seems important to someone you trust. If this information gets out, you'll know someone else was listening.
Step 2. Stay alert if you have been recently robbed
If your home has recently been robbed or broken into, but nothing of value has been taken, this indicates something is amiss. Sometimes, he may suggest that someone has broken into the place to tap your phone.
Part 2 of 5: Signals on Any Phone
Step 1. Check for background noise
If you hear a lot of static or other background sounds when talking on the phone, it is possible that the noise is coming from interference created by a tap.
- This, however, is not the best of clues to take into account alone, as echoes, static, and clicking sounds can also be caused by random interference or poor connection.
- Static, scratching and popping sounds can be the result of a capacitive discharge resulting from the connection between two conductors.
- A high-pitched tinnitus is an even greater indication.
- You can look for noise that your ears can't pick up by using a soundband width sensor at a low frequency. If the indicator lights up several times a minute, your phone may be bugged.
Step 2. Use your phone near other electronic devices
If you suspect that your phone may be tapped, head to a radio or television during your next call. Even though there is no audible interference on the phone itself, there is a chance it will occur when you get close to another electronic device, causing static.
- You should also look for distortions when not actively using the phone. An active wireless phone signal can disrupt data transmission, even without additional software or hardware being installed on your phone. An inactive signal, however, should not have the same effect.
- Some taps use frequencies close to the FM radio band, so if your radio squeaks when placed in mono and tuned to the far end of the band, one of these devices may be in use.
- Likewise, taps can interfere with the broadcast frequencies of UHF channels. Use an antenna TV to check for distortion.
Step 3. Listen to your phone when not in use
It should be silent when not in use. If you can hear beeps, clicks, or other noises even when the phone is not in use, listening software or hardware may be installed.
- Listen in private for a pulsing static sound.
- If this noise occurs, it can suggest that the microphone and speaker are active even when the phone is not in use, by means of a tap. Any conversation you have within 6 m of the device can be overheard.
- In the case of a landline, if you can hear a dial tone while the phone is on-hook, that is another listening signal. Look for the presence of this sound using an external amplifier.
Part 3 of 5: Signs of a cell phone tap
Step 1. Pay attention to the battery temperature
If your cell phone battery gets too hot when the phone is not in use and you can't think of a reason why, there may be listening software running in the background causing it to be in constant use.
Of course, a hot battery can also be a sign of overuse, especially if your cell phone is more than a year old, as their batteries tend to get worse over time
Step 2. Note how often you need to charge your phone
If battery life suddenly drops for no reason, causing you to charge it twice as often, it could be running out of eavesdropping software running constantly in the background and consuming the charge.
- You also need to consider how often you have been using your cell phone. If you've used it a lot lately, the greater need for a good recharge is probably just because you've used more charge. This check is only valid if you barely touch your phone or if you haven't used it more than normal.
- You can monitor your battery life over time using an app like BatteryLife LX or Battery LED.
- Also note that as the device's battery gets older, it loses its ability to stay charged. If this change happens after you've had the cell phone for a year or more, it may just be the result of an old, well-used battery.
Step 3. Try turning off the cell phone
If the shutdown process slows down or cannot be completed, this strange behavior could indicate that someone else is controlling your device through a wiretap.
- Pay close attention to whether your phone takes longer to turn off than usual, or whether the display stays on after you turn off the phone.
- While this may be a staple signal, it could also just mean a defect in the device's hardware or software that has nothing to do with a tap.
Step 4. Look for random activities
If your phone lights up, turns off, starts or starts installing an app without you doing anything, someone could be hacking your phone and controlling it through a wiretap.
On the other hand, these things can happen if there is random interference during data transmission
Step 5. Note unusual text messages
If you've received messages consisting of lines of random letters or numbers from an unknown sender, these messages are a sure sign that there's an amateur tap on your cell phone.
Some programs use messages of this type to send commands to the target cell phone. If installed carelessly, these messages may appear
Step 6. Pay attention to your cell phone bill
If your data cost jumps and you know you are not responsible for the increase, you may have someone else using your data via a wiretap.
Many spy programs send your cell phone records to online servers using your data plan. Older programs used large amounts of data, making them easier to find, but newer ones are easier to hide as they use less data
Part 4 of 5: Fixed Line Listening Signals
Step 1. Check the environment
If you are already suspecting a wiretap on your landline, take a good look at your surroundings. If something seems out of place, like a sofa or a table, don't automatically dismiss that information as a symptom of paranoia. It can be an indication that someone has been tampering with your space.
- A wiretapping installer can move furniture while trying to access phone lines or outlets, which is why this is an important element to note.
- Especially note the mirrors on the walls. You should pay special attention to the signs around the telephone connection inside the room. If they look out of place or disturbed in any way, they may have been tampered with.
Step 2. Take a look at the outer casing of the phone
You may not know what it looks like inside, but even if you only have a vague idea, take a look. If the box looks tampered with or if the contents have been disturbed, someone may have installed a bug.
- If you notice that something appears to have been hastily installed, even if you don't know what it is, you should call someone to inspect.
- Take a good look at the "restricted" area of the box. This side needs a special Allen key to open, and if it looks like it's been tampered with, you could be in trouble.
Step 3. Make a note of the number of utility trucks you see
If you notice an increase in the number of vehicles of this type near your property, this could be an indication that they are not actually utility vehicles. They can belong to the people who are listening to your calls and keeping listening.
- It's especially important to notice that no one ever gets in or out of these vehicles.
- Generally, people who hear a fixed line through a wire will be between 150 and 213 m away. Vehicles will also have tinted windows.
Step 4. Pay attention to mysterious service technicians
If someone comes to your house claiming to be a technician or a telephone company employee, but you have not requested a visit, it could be a trap. Call the company he claims to be from to verify his identity.
- When calling the company, use the phone number you have on record, not a number provided by the stranger.
- Even if you confirm the technician's identity, you must carefully observe his actions during the visit.
Part 5 of 5: Confirming your suspicions
Step 1. Use a tapping detector
This device can be attached to the phone and, as the name suggests, detect external signals and taps, confirming your suspicions that someone else is listening to your calls.
The usefulness of these devices is questionable, but for them to serve their purpose they will need to be able to detect electrical or signal changes on the line being tested. Look for a device that measures impedance and capacitance levels, as well as changes in high-frequency signals
Step 2. Install an app
For smartphones, you can install a tap detection app capable of picking up eavesdropping signals and unauthorized access to your cell phone data.
- The effectiveness of these applications is debatable, so even they may not provide you with irrefutable proof. Some programs of this nature are only useful to detect wiretaps placed by other apps.
- An application that claims to be able to detect eavesdropping is Reveal: Anti SMS Spy.
Step 3. Ask your service provider for help
If you have strong reason to believe that your phone is bugged, you can ask the company to verify it using professional equipment.
- A standard line analysis performed by the operator will be able to detect most taps, tapping devices, low frequency devices and illegal telephone line splitters.
- Note that if you've asked your operator to check for wiretaps and wiretaps, but the company refuses your request or says it can't find anything after barely searching, there's a chance it's complying with a government requirement.
Step 4. Look for the police
If you have strong evidence that your phone has actually been tapped, you can also ask the police to check. In addition, it is possible to request her help to catch the person responsible for listening.