How do you tell if your phone is tapped?

[FreedomDeb]

Hi! Came across this site doing a search on phone tapping. I am trying to find out how to tell if my phone is tapped without having to use special equipment to do so. I have good reason to believe this is a possibility, thus the question here.

Whenever my phone rings, before it actually rings, it does a very slight, momentary partial ring. The phone I used to have did a momentary "whirring" type sound prior to ringing. Whenever I go to dial my phone, as soon as I turn it on (a tone cordless), it sounds as if it is doing a one second pulse connection prior to dial tone. Does anyone know what this is? And if it is a wiretap, how do i get rid of it?

Any help you can give would be appreciated. Thanks!

[DentsRun]

As for 'how to get a tap removed,' stop doing whatever it is you're doing that's getting your phone tapped.

But what if all he's doing is exercising his constitutional right to free speech?

[cva66snipe]

BTW the reason I know this info is because I am a listener to police scanners and understand basic radio wave theory. They are capable of listening to a bunch of things especially older scanners. However it is illegal to monitor phone communications this way. One other thing a cell phone is a radio as well. In the analog mode the world can hear you also. I also know some of this from my dad a 45 year experienced Bell Tech.

[Ben Bolt]

Its my understanding that the lady is in good standing in her community .

[DAnconia55]

All phones are actually 'tapped'. Do a search on Echelon. Either on Google. Or here.

Never use a telephone, especially a HOME phone linked to your name to do anything illegal or private.

If you're doing something you don't want observed, use code phrases - prearranged.

All you have to do is this, and it neutralizes their ability to monitor you effectively.

[DAnconia55]

I might add another method - use a payphone, NOT ON GOVERNMENT PROPERTY - and a prepaid calling card, paid for with cash - from a country store with no video cameras...

That one's a tip for the really paranoid :)

[Dec31,1999]

There was a case in my area where some people suffered from years of hang-up calls. They tried everything. To make a long story short, it turned out that their line number was incorrectly inputted into a security compay's database, which meant that every time someone would open a particular door at a Long Island hospital, the aggrieved party would receive a call from the security computer. Maddening!

[ladyjane]

Deb, I'm glad you asked the question. I had/have a similar problem. I had a caller ID box that in the middle of my phone conversations used to light up saying "extension in use". I mentioned it and showed it to a telephone engineer friend who got all excited and said somebody was listening in - using old technology. He told me to call the telephone company when the red light was on. I would do that and whoever was listening would immediately disconnect. This went on for over a year. I dropped the caller ID box and it broke. I assume they may still be listening. The telephone engineer said it is pretty easy to do it and some people do it as a hobby. Weird. I haven't been able to find another caller ID box with the "extension in use" option. Would like to though. In the meantime I'd try to call as many older relatives as I can. Bore the listener out of his mind!

[Cultural Jihad]

Yikes! Years? The phone company couldn't have placed a trap on the line to trace who was dailing?! Glad they got their peace and quiet finally. Technology generally allows convenience but apparently is not idiot proof yet.

[DAnconia55]

Yet you don't seem to understand the archaic ramifications of your own preferences. You are a true twit.

I would call that a bit naive. CJ understands and enjoys the ramifications. He's looking forward to it.

[Dec31,1999]

Apparently not. In fact, we had hang up calls for years as well, until we finally switched to an unlisted number, and cell phones. The tel co. here just tells you that you basically can't do anything about it. The only downside is that now old friends cannot find us. I always wanted to be listed. Oh, well.

[Cultural Jihad]

If you're doing something you don't want observed, use code phrases - prearranged.

Anyone foolish enough to not know the obvious won't be helped by your admonition, DA55.

"Welcome to Crime, Incorporated's interactive voice response system.
For quality assurance reasons, you call may be monitored at any time.
For Schedule I narcotics, press 1.
For Schedule II narcotics, press 2.
For forbidden images of people copulating, press 3.
For help in committing crimes undetected, press 4.
If you wish to speak to a Libertarian Party representative, you may press zero now."

[Ken H]

I'm pretty sure my phone is tapped whenever I'm reading Free Republic.

Everytime I lift the phone receiver I hear this high pitched "EEEEESCREEEEKKKKKKKNNNNNFFFTTZZZZ".

It stops when I disconnect from the computer.

[Cultural Jihad]

I haven't been able to find another caller ID box with the "extension in use" option.

Radio Shack has many such products.

[Buckeroo]

"If you wish to speak to a Libertarian Party [Republocrat representative, the key to your success in a police-state] you may press zero now." -- Cultural Jihad

[Drammach]

I keep a large brass Police Whistle by the phone.
When I recieve prank calls, heavy breathing, etc., I simply pick up the whistle and blow REAL LOUD, into the phone.
The prank calls usually end immeadiately.

[ATOMIC_PUNK]

Phone Tapping

How do you to tell if your phone is currently tapped or has been bugged in the past?

Call 101-073-2177-0988-9664

They will first repeat the phone number you are calling from and then repeat a bunch of zeros.    The number at the end of the zero's is what is important.  

If it is a 1 - you have never been tapped and are not presently tapped.

If it is a 2 it means you have been tapped in the past but no longer are tapped.

If it is a 3 it means you ARE being tapped presently and you need to be careful what you say over the phone.

Other nice to know phone facts

FCC: 1-202-418-0190

ANI Readback number:    10-10-732-1-770-988-9664 (What is the telephone number from the line I am using?   Dial from the telephone line in question.)

Resp-Org Number:
Find out who is the Resp-Org Company for a particular Toll-free number.
    1- (800) 959-2000    

How do you know when your phone is tapped or room is bugged?

It's impossible to determine if an eavesdropping device is in place without electronic testing unless you accidentally stumble upon it.. People often notice clicking on the phone line, sounds in the wall or people knowing information that should not be known. Most of these symptoms don´t have much relevance as to the existance of bugs or taps. The only sure way to locate a device is through the experienced use of professional test equipment. Noise on a phone line is usually due to bad connections in wiring and not a tap. A tap is silent if installed correctly. Sounds in the wall may be caused by a variety of reasons. A bug or radio transmitting device is also silent. Myers has the electronic tools, training and experience to detect bugs and taps as well as other types of eavesdropping operations.

[hole_n_one]

Hi! Came across this site doing a search on phone tapping

I came across this site when I was doing a search on cheese.

[Focault's Pendulum]

I came across this site when I was doing a search on cheese.

This sounds like one of My posts....I think my phone is tapped...now I'll never get any sleep.

[eno_]

Good call on the "modem protector," which you could use to detect fraud, as in the article you pointed to, but the poster (as ignorant as they seem to be) is worried about an eavesdropper. As long as one phone is off hook, an off hook indicator indicates the same thing. An ammeter would, however, register different readings depending on the number of phones off hook. Capacitance would probably change, too. What you want is the ability to detect the second phone going off hook, which would change both the impedence of (which is why you get a different sound quality even if an evesdropper has muted their mouthpiece) and current in the circuit.

[maxwell]

As for 'how to get a tap removed,' stop doing whatever it is you're doing that's getting your phone tapped.

Bwahaha...