ORLANDO, Fla. — Families are getting ready for summer vacations, but your vacation rental could be home to hidden cameras.
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One in four people said they have found a camera at a vacation property according to a recent survey by a real estate investment company.
Nearly six out of every 10 Americans said they worry about hidden cameras where they’re staying.
Channel 9′s Christopher Heath investigates how you can spot them, even in the most unsuspecting places.
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The camera’s unblinking eye captures everything, even though you may not see those cameras – small, secretive and each less than $70.
Det. Sgt. Patrick Dixson has already handled a handful of cases where unsuspecting tenants found out they were being recorded, with devices available at the click of a button.
“You go on Amazon and type in ‘hidden cameras’ and you’ll find hundreds of brands, different types,” Dixson said.
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Those types range from those that record directly on the device itself, and those that broadcast a signal over Wi-Fi. The ones that broadcast can usually be detected with your phone by searching for signals,
As far as the others, some devices can help find a hidden camera lens.
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Vacation rental company Vrbo prohibits surveillance devices inside all properties. Security cameras are allowed outside if the homeowner discloses it in the listing.
Airbnb said property owners can have cameras inside if they mention it in the listing, but cameras are not allowed in private spaces such as bedrooms and bathrooms.
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