Hotel rooms typically do not have cameras inside, but they typically have cameras in the hallways and throughout the rest of the building. Airbnb apartments are more likely to have cameras inside, but the Airbnb host has to make you aware of these cameras. In some cases, Airbnb hosts place cameras in the Airbnb property they rent out for nefarious reasons.
Conduct A Physical Search
When you get to your hotel room start by looking in bedrooms and bathrooms for hidden cameras as these are the two most common places hidden cameras would be placed. In the vast majority of cases hidden cameras will be placed in innocent household appliances such as lights, thermostats and plugged clock radios.
You can eliminate the risk of secret cameras recording you from small household appliances by putting them in a draw; but for bigger items and light fittings, you are going to be more creative. Shining a light from a torch or your phone on different objects in your room can be a good way to detect the reflective glass of a camera lens; it is recommended that you take your time when searching for cameras in your room to increase the chances of spotting them and taking action.
Look At The WIFI Network
You can download WIFI scanning applications on your smartphone, tablet or laptop that can scan the WIFI network and detect how many devices are connected to it at any given time. Hidden cameras that are live streaming and sending video of your room to the perpetrator will be connected to the WIFI network; using the WIFI scanner app you can detect if any other devices in the Airbnb apartment are connected to your device. Whilst this can be a good way to root out certain hidden cameras it is a luck of the draw how successful you will be at rooting out hidden cameras, as cameras of different makes and models may be better at evading detection.
Look At Youtube Videos Of People Finding Hidden Cameras In Their Hotel Rooms Or Airbnb Apartments
There are videos you can find where people take you through the steps of finding a hidden camera in a video format, for some people watching videos is a more effective way to take in information. Also, the fact that that someone taking a video showing you all of the different places that people can hide cameras can make it easier for you to check different areas of your room.
Buy A Spy Camera Detector
Spy camera detectors can detect the radio frequency used by secret cameras, however again this will only work if the spy camera is transmitting live data to the perpetrator. This method will not root out cameras that save video footage to an SD card.
Read: What Size Suitcase Should You Take On Holiday?
What To Do If You Find A Hidden Camera
If you find hidden cameras in a hotel room you should report this to the hotel receptionist and consider asking for a full refund and taking your business elsewhere.
If you find a hidden camera in an Airbnb apartment you should do the following:
Photo And Video Evidence
Take Photographs of the hidden camera and where you found it, but avoid disconnecting the camera as you may unknowingly wipe evidence against the perpetrator.
Cover The Camera
Cover the lens of the camera with a piece of fabric, some tape or something else that will block the camera in your room.
Avoid Speaking Around The Camera
Some hidden cameras have microphones that can allow the perpetrator to listen in on your conversations, it is especially important to avoid speaking about things such as passwords and financial information around a camera. As this information could be used to scam you.
Contact The Police
Setting up hidden cameras in Airbnb apartments and hotel rooms is illegal and is not tolerated by law enforcement because it invades your privacy. By getting the police involved you may be able to take legal action against the perpetrators or at least add it to the log that can be used as evidence at a later date.
Contact Airbnb
Alerting Airbnb to your findings can allow them to create their investigation and take action against the Airbnb host if they are culpable, Airbnb may prevent them from listing their apartments on Airbnb again. Which will protect people in the future from such an individual.
Conclusion
Finding hidden cameras in hotel rooms or Airbnb cameras may be tricky, but by spending a bit of time and learning about the different places they can be hidden you can increase the chances of you finding them and being able to take action. Remember, if you are a victim of a scam you should contact your bank and fraud recovery professionals who will be able to maximise the chances you will get your money back.
