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AIBU?

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Original poster

Phone bugged

404 replies

Beingspiedon · 13/01/2019 07:43

(Posting for traffic) I would really appreciate any help or advice anyone can give me as I don’t even know where to start right now.

Have a very bad relationship with PIL. Found out a few years ago they hired a private investigator on me. I found out because I overheard a conversation between PIL when they were drunk but they don’t know I’ve heard them.

Over the years since our relationship deteriorated, I’ve had a few cases where they’ve said things they shouldn’t know. I’ve always put it down to coincidence but recently my fil has word for word quoted two of my telephone conversations with my sister and he should have absolutely have no way of knowing any of it. He also got warning “looks” from mil when he said these things.

I can’t speak to anyone IRL about this in case I am being paranoid or I look crazy. If my phone is bugged then a lot of things that have happened over the last few years make sense. Is there anything I can do to find out if someone has access to
Personal information on my phone? Can anyone give me advice on this?

OP posts:
ApolloandDaphne · 13/01/2019 09:23

Did you do your calls to your DSis in the same room each time? i would be searching around to see if there was anything obvious that looked
like a bug in your house.

Original poster
Beingspiedon · 13/01/2019 09:24

Yes PIL have visited at our new house. It’s only temporary so when we move again they will absolutely not be allowed to the new house. I would love to catch them I just don’t know how to prove it. Even if something was found on my phone is there a way of tracing it back to them?

OP posts:
Original poster
Beingspiedon · 13/01/2019 09:25

AppolloandDaphne - yes always my living room.

OP posts:
GOTBackThisYear · 13/01/2019 09:26

It is sooooo easy to hide a surveillance device in a home, but if they have very rare access then it's hard to power. Batteries die. If they can only access your house rarely then check all your plug sockets. Especially ones behind units like bookshelves etc. Also check devices that can have a usb device plugged in such as the back of the tv. If they have money, wiring a camera into your smoke alarm is also possible.

Grab a duster and start a mad cleaning day, make sure to get those dusty bits you always miss, like under tables and behind the sideboard. If you see anything, don't react, just go outside and call the police.

GOTBackThisYear · 13/01/2019 09:28

I highly doubt there is anything at all on your phone. It's your house that you need to check.

Phones are harder to bug.

SheCameFromGreeceSheHadaThirst · 13/01/2019 09:30

What are your thoughts about what to do about this, OP? Other than starting this MN thread, what proactive steps can you take/have you taken to resolve this issue?

Have you taken your phone to be checked? That’s the obvious first port of call, and you presumably didn’t need strangers to tell you that.

Mix56 · 13/01/2019 09:32

In films, you see them bug, under tables/chairs, lampshades, under shelves, behind frames...... start there ! blog.spyassociates.com/bugging-device-look-like/

Original poster
Beingspiedon · 13/01/2019 09:32

GOTbackthisyear - ok I think I will look into bringing someone in to check our house. If nothing I will get my phone checked I’m just not sure where to do that yet.

I know it can be difficult to bug devices but I wouldn’t put it past them to have got
Someone who knows what they are doing involved.

OP posts:
Onecabbage · 13/01/2019 09:32

My husband worked in er....let’s say he worked for the civil service. [wink[
He used to have meetings in rooms that were swept beforehand. You can get a security company to do a sweep of your home. It will not be cheap but it will put your mind at ease. It’s also illegal to bug your home or put a tap on your phone.

TwoGinScentedTears · 13/01/2019 09:33

Get a burner phone.

Call your sister on it (out of the house and not in your car) and tell her what's going on.

Then you call her on your normal mobile and talk about som thing outrageous. Like your affair. Or your plans to emigrate and see what happens!

thebabysmellsofpooagain · 13/01/2019 09:33

Jesus! I've just googled USB powered listening devices, and all kinds of madness came up! I never thought these things would be so easy to buy/use!

OP, I've attached a picture for you, something to keep an eye out for on your mad cleaning day!

Keep us posted! Xx

Phone bugged
LemonGirl · 13/01/2019 09:33

Look on Amazon for hidden recording devices hidden cameras etc then do a search of your home - it will help you know what you are looking for, where they can be hidden and how they work.

thebabysmellsofpooagain · 13/01/2019 09:35

Also, on Google I saw one that just looked like a regular plug socket so definitely take a look online to see what you need to be looking for but I think it's going to be a hard task because they can hide this shit in plain sight 🤯

Original poster
Beingspiedon · 13/01/2019 09:36

SheCameffromgreeceshehadathirst - I’m actually not sure where I would get my phone checked as mentioned. Do I go to Apple is there a special service that offer this? I am here for advice.

I’m actually not sure why the need for spiteful replies. This is a real life situation for me which is actually very upsetting. I’m not sure where to start and don’t feel ready to say in rl yet as I have explained. I suggest if you’re going to spend your Sunday scrolling through other people’s posts and being not only unhelpful but rude you may want to reasses if you’re doing things right.

OP posts:
teainthemorning · 13/01/2019 09:37

What were the circumstances in which your conversations with your sister were quoted word for word ? I'm struggling to think of any scenario where it would be a natural thing to do.
Other than the bleedin' obvious "when you were talking with your sister the other day, you said......."

thebabysmellsofpooagain · 13/01/2019 09:37

@Beingspiedon I think if you factory reset your phone, it should delete everything so if they have installed something, it SHOULD get rid of it. However, I'm no expert!

mummmy2017 · 13/01/2019 09:40

Call your sis while out. On a payphone...
Start talking to your sis about your wanting to move to Australia, it has always been your dream,, ect....
Then pretend it is where your going soon....

ShadyLady53 · 13/01/2019 09:40

@thebabysmellsofpooagain I saw that too. Bloody terrifying. I don’t think it should be legal to sell these things. I can see why the police and MOD need them, but Joe Public? Why?

theplot · 13/01/2019 09:40

New phone and number. But I'd be looking for a device hidden within furniture, under sofa or something

Mia184 · 13/01/2019 09:41

Get a radio frequency detector www.amazon.com/dp/B07JFDT7RP/ref=sspa_dk_detail_0?psc=1&tag=mumsnetforum-21

YouTheCat · 13/01/2019 09:43

I'd make something up about emigrating. That'd have them frothing.

thebabysmellsofpooagain · 13/01/2019 09:43

@ShadyLady53 I'm actually gobsmacked! I never thought for a second it was so easy to do this kind of thing. Like you say, police & MOD -completely understandable but Joe Bloggs down the road does not need one! It's fucking crackers!

brokenhead · 13/01/2019 09:43

I really really promise I'm not having a go at you or discrediting what you are saying/ I just want to know do you have any history of anxiety (I'm sure you do because I would with a family like that) or mental health problems, do you think you are perceiving things as they are?
It's just that the whole spying and bugging thing sounds like a huge anxiety and paranoia

Which is totally justifiable with relatives like this
They sound awful
I just wonder if your mind is playing tricks on you xxxx

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