I hate using dressing rooms at retail stores. I’d rather buy two different sizes and return the one that doesn’t fit. Plus, those mirrors are awful and don’t get me started on the lighting. The last thing you want to worry about is being spied on while changing.
Women nationwide are reporting a new kind of dressing room violation — one using a smartphone.
Creeps who love to spy on unsuspecting victims are nothing new. And thanks to today’s tech, they’ve taken their creep skills to a whole new level and it’s easier than ever to get away with crimes.
Dressing room dread
In Kansas, a woman was trying on Halloween costumes at Forever 21 when she noticed a phone inside her dressing room nestled into a pair of jeans. Another woman discovered a phone watching her try on bathing suits at Target.
Turns out these women were victimized by the same peeping Tom, who also had other victims. He was arrested.
In Ohio, a different guy was arrested for spying on women in dressing rooms at a Nordstrom Rack store. He was caught in the act after reports of him filming were called in. This slimeball was convicted of two counts of voyeurism.
A new kind of turbulence
It’s not just in dressing rooms. On a recent American Airlines flight from Charlotte to Boston, a 14-year-old girl made a shocking discovery in an airplane bathroom: an iPhone taped to the back of the toilet seat.
The worst part? The family believes it was placed there by the flight crew.
The girl says a male crew member instructed her to use the first-class bathroom. He entered the bathroom before her and said the toilet seat was broken. Once inside, she noticed the iPhone. Thankfully, she thought to take a photo with her phone for evidence.
Massachusetts State Police escorted a flight attendant away when the plane landed. The case is still under FBI investigation, and American Airlines claims to be taking the matter “very seriously.” As they should.
Take your privacy back
When it comes to protecting yourself from creeps, it pays to be vigilant.
- Stay alert in any public place where you change clothes. This includes gyms, day spas and even hotel rooms.
- Carefully check your surroundings for cameras. Look for suspicious wires, lights and lenses. Pay close attention to things like wall decor, lamps and shelves. Check the toilet seat and behind the tank if you’re in the bathroom.
- It’s easy to hide cameras in mirrors. If you can, turn off the lights in the room and shine your phone’s flashlight into the mirror to check for hidden tech.
- Consider investing in a hidden camera detector and bring it with while you’re out. You can also try using a hidden camera detection app on your Android or iPhone.
I don’t tell you this to freak you out. I want as many people as possible to be aware and on the lookout. Pass this story along, especially if you have teens and young adults in your family. You know what I say, “Knowledge is power.”