If you watch enough television, you might begin to wonder if your entire life is under surveillance. The crime shows like Law and Order, CSI, Criminal Minds, Without a Trace, and NCIS depict cameras everywhere: at the ATM, in the convenience store, in parking lots, in interrogation rooms, in elevators, and on all the major roadways. That doesn’t even begin to mention all the cell phones lying in wait for just the right moment to record a viral video for YouTube. But other than a friend or family member who wants to win some money on America’s Funniest Videos, why would anyone want to record you? Should you give a second thought to bugging devices or would that just be paranoia?
Perhaps you are employed at a highly competitive company. You might not be an executive, but you are privy to sensitive information and trade secrets. In fact, when you were hired, the company asked you to sign a non-compete stating you would not divulge such secrets to those outside the company. You thought nothing of it at the time, but lately your office phone has a buzzing, static noise. The phone company said all the lines are working properly, and the phone is relatively new so you doubt it could be a malfunction. There is the possibility that a company competitor has bugged the phone in an effort to gain confidential information about company strategies, trade secrets, or product development.
Are you going through a nasty divorce? Has your lawyer advised you to not speak to your former spouse unless your legal council is present? Are there property disputes, financial holds, or custody battles? Although it is unethical, it is possible that your ex’s lawyer has hired a private investigator to gather any information about you that could help their case. Perhaps it’s not a divorce at all, but if your significant other is the jealous type, bugging devices are a possibility.
Is your bank or mutual fund company under investigation for any reason? It was discovered that the Key Bank in Florida had been illegally tapped in a politically-motivated investigation. Unfortunately, your business does not always remain your business. Sometimes you are just in the wrong place at the wrong time.
Not everybody is out to get you, but technology has made bugging devices more accessible than ever. You don’t have to be a celebrity or a high ranking politician to be bugged.