Are you wondering how to check if your phone is tapped by police or law enforcement? Finding out if police are tapping your phone is more accessible today with the advancement of technology. While it’s challenging to identify wiretapping over landline phones, for a cell phone, there are companies and apps that can assist in identifying a phone tapped by the police.
Certain companies can inform you if a fake antenna is tapping your phone, or if the police are trying to hack your phone to get into your private phone conversations and messages.
However, the antenna that is being used to identify if police tap a phone doesn’t involve encrypting your calls or text messages. These antennas will only inform you that your phone is being tapped.
Can Police Tap Your Phone Without You Knowing?
Yes, your cell phone can be tapped by the police without you ever knowing. There are a couple of different ways they can go about it – putting a physical bug on your phone or connecting to your ISP and gathering all your calls and SMS data. However, there are certain rules they must follow before they can tap your phone. Unless they’re certain that collected data can be used as evidence in court, they probably won’t be able to get a warrant to tap your phone.
How to Know If Your Phone Is Being Tracked by Police
Wondering: Can anyone listen to someone’s phone calls without them knowing for free? Yes, they can! Because our phones are connected to the cloud, it has never been easier for the police to tap phones and track your data. Here are some of the most common signs that show that your phone is being tracked by the police:
1. You’re Having Difficulties Turning Off Your Device
If you are having special issues in turning off your mobile like it keeps freezing up or fails to shut down properly. It could be a sign that it is compromised, and there might be a spy app installed on your device.
- The backlight remains on even after your device shuts down
2. Decreased Phone Battery Life
Unauthorized background programs installed on your phone are probably responsible.
- The phone heats up more than usual.
- Your phone’s battery lasts a lot less than usual.
3. You’ve Noticed Some Unusual Activity
Inexplicable activities on your device may indicate that it is bugged. If there are weird or unexplainable activities that are not usually on your mobile, especially if you are not using it, it could be a sign that someone is trying to hack or target your mobile account. Some of these could include –
- You are receiving strange coded SMS texts with weird characters.
- Strange pop-up ads from malware or spyware apps that you didn’t install.
- Screen distortions and program installations without you doing them
4. Background Noise When Making a Call
Hearing strange, suspicious background noises coupled with other signs might mean your phone has been tapped.
- Inexplicable static, clicking or high-pitched murmurs
- Static signals and unusual background noise when you make a call.
- A low-frequency sound bandwidth sensor goes off when checking for inaudible sounds on your phone networks.
5. Electronic Interference
You encounter electronic interference from cell phones and surrounding devices even when you’re not connected on a call.
- Your FM radio or television emits a high-pitched sound when you’re device is close to it.
6. You’re Phone Is Spending More Data Than Usual
If you notice increased call data usage or SMS usage, there’s probably a phone tapping software that’s responsible for it.
- There’s spyware transmitting information from your phone to a receiving device.
- You run out of data sooner than you usually do.
Code to Check if the Phone Is Tapped
If your phone has been subjected to surveillance, it may imply that your calls and messages are being redirected to another device. You can determine if this redirection is in place by utilizing Man-Machine Interface (MMI) codes. These codes serve the purpose of helping you detect and terminate any unauthorized call or data forwarding. To employ them, input the relevant MMI code using your phone’s keypad (the specific code may vary depending on your carrier) and then press the call button.
For Verizon and US Cellular users:
- Dial *92 to view all call and data forwarding settings.
- Dial *93 to clear all call and data forwarding settings.
For AT&T and T-Mobile users:
- Dial *#61# to display a list of all call and data forwarding settings.
- Dial # #61# to clear all call and data forwarding settings.
You can also verify these settings through your phone’s menu.
To verify these settings through your phone’s menu:
For iPhone users:
- Navigate to Settings > Phone > Call Forwarding to manage this feature.
For Android users:
- Access the Phone app.
- Tap the three-dot icon.
- Select Settings.
- Navigate to Supplementary Services > Call Forwarding (Samsung) or Calls > Call forwarding (Google).
- Ensure that there are no active settings in place.
What to Do if Your Phone Is Tapped
- Inspect for Spyware: To ascertain if your phone has been compromised with spyware, consider utilizing anti-spyware software like Avast antivirus programs. Detecting and promptly removing any spyware is crucial.
- Cooperate with Authorities: If you find yourself in a situation where you believe your phone is being monitored as part of a legitimate police investigation, it’s advisable to cooperate with law enforcement. Consult with your attorney to ensure your rights are protected.
- Consult with Legal Counsel: In cases where you suspect police surveillance on your phone, seeking advice from a legal professional is paramount. A lawyer can provide guidance on your legal rights and help you take appropriate measures to safeguard your privacy.
- Explore Legal Remedies: If you believe that your phone is being unlawfully monitored by law enforcement, you have the option to pursue legal action against such actions. It’s important to note that without a court-issued order, the police cannot engage in phone tapping.
- Exercise Caution with Calls: If you have concerns about phone tapping, exercise caution when making calls. Assume that any conversations held over the phone could be recorded, and refrain from discussing sensitive or potentially incriminating matters.
Final Verdict
In conclusion, if you find yourself in a situation where your phone has been tapped by the police, it can be a cause for concern as it may indicate suspicions or investigations involving you. However, if you are confident in your innocence, cooperating with the authorities during the investigation is generally the best course of action to protect your rights and interests.
On the other hand, if you suspect that your phone is being monitored without a proper legal warrant, it is crucial to consult with your attorney promptly. Legal professionals can provide guidance on addressing any potential privacy violations and help you take appropriate steps to address the situation.
Remember, in cases of unlawful phone monitoring, you have the option to pursue legal action against those responsible, whether it’s the police or other parties involved. Your rights to privacy and due process should always be respected and upheld.
