Staying in a hotel, Airbnb or rental? Bring this hidden camera detector with you

Summer’s almost here, and you’re likely anxious to get out there and enjoy some good times. We understand.

Before you leave, you want to make sure your home is protected. A surveillance system is a great way to keep tabs on your home and deter crime. But you can’t go placing cameras at random. Tap or click here for our camera placement tips.

Now you’ve reached your destination and can relax. Or can you? Someone may be using surveillance to keep tabs on you, especially if you’re renting space from them. Fortunately, there’s a way to spot hidden cameras.

Camera rules

Airbnb allows devices to monitor or view public spaces on a property, such as a front door or driveway or a shared space that is disclosed to the guests ahead of time. Monitoring devices are forbidden from bedrooms, bathrooms and common areas used for sleeping.

Vrbo does not allow surveillance devices of any sort inside the property. Surveillance devices are permitted outside the property “for security purposes” and must be disclosed on the property description page.

Do a manual sweep for hidden cameras

Today’s cameras are so small that they can be hidden virtually anywhere, including inside behind lamps, light fixtures, vases, flowerpots, smoke detectors, air filters, vents, decorations and more.

Follow these tips for detecting cameras:

• Look for unusual decor or out-of-place picture frames and fixtures.
• Watch out for pinholes that could be hiding a camera lens.
• Check openings such as vents or gaps in the walls or ceiling.
• Turn down the lights and scan the room with a flashlight or laser pointer. You’re looking for bright reflections that indicate a camera lens.
• Connect to the rental’s wireless network and use a free program like Wireless Network Watcher to see which gadgets are connected.

RELATED: These SHOCKING hidden spy cams could be secretly recording everything you do

This spy tool helps you detect spies

Even your most thorough sweep could miss something. An RF detector (commonly known as a bug detector) picks up radio frequency signals from devices such as wireless cameras and listening devices. They inform you of a find with any combination of lights, vibrations and sounds.

The JMDHKK Anti Spy Detector is one of the best options around.

JMDHKK Anti Spy Detector

The JMDHKK Anti Spy Detector detects wireless cameras, audio bugs, body wires, wire taps, phone taps, and other devices that emit RF signals. It also has an infrared mode for locating pinhole cameras and magnetic field detection to locate magnetized GPS trackers. Adjust the sensitivity to detect distant RF signals or find closer ones with more accuracy. A row of LED lights indicate the strength of the signal from 1-10, while green, yellow and red are used to indicate low, medium and high signal strengths. Sound and vibration alarms kick in at signal level 7 and you'll get steady alarms when the RF source is locked. The lithium polymer rechargeable battery lasts 5-8 hours.

Promising review: "I bought this for my daughter to prove that her husband was recording her conversations and actions. She found SEVERAL devices in her home. They are now getting a divorce!! It only took her a few minutes to locate all the devices he had installed."

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$46.89 on Amazon.com

Call the police if you find hidden surveillance equipment not disclosed to you. Document the evidence with your smartphone camera. Once you file your police report, contact the rental site.

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