How can I Tell if My Vacation Rental Has Hidden Cameras or Surveillance Equipment?
With the rise of private rental platforms such as Airbnb and Vrbo, vacationing has become both more accessible and dangerous. Privately owned vacation properties are subject to less independent regulation and inspection than professionally managed hotels. Many of these properties are not re-inspected for cameras after each stay. As such, owners can easily hide recording equipment in vacation rental homes after the initial platform inspection.
If you suspect your vacation rental may have unlawful surveillance equipment, contact the South Carolina privacy rights attorneys at Ryan Beasley Law immediately by calling (864) 679-7777 or connecting with us online.
Signs of Hidden Cameras in South Carolina Vacation Rentals
Whether you’re staying in a private rental or hotel suite, it’s always wise to inspect the premises for unlawful recording devices. Anyone with access to the property, including previous guests, neighbors, ‘peeping toms,’ housekeeping staff, and property managers, could have hidden cameras. Online streaming platforms pay substantial fees for sexual content, so surveillance equipment for voyeuristic purposes is often hidden in bathrooms and bedrooms.
Check the following locations for hidden cameras in rentals and hotels:
- Air ducts and vents
- Light fixtures
- Mirrors
- TV boxes and game consoles
- Bathroom fans
- Plants
- Alarm clocks
- Outlets
- Bookshelves
- Picture frames
Most hidden cameras have an indicator light, so turning off the lights and checking these locations might reveal unlawful recording devices. Another helpful tip is to check the local Wi-Fi network for unidentified connected devices, as most hidden cameras stream content to off-site websites and computers. If you travel often, consider investing in a small surveillance detector capable of finding recording devices in vacation rentals. Do not touch the devices if found, as they may contain essential fingerprint evidence. Instead, it’s important to contact law enforcement and an attorney immediately to protect yourself and your family.
Obtaining Compensation for Unlawful Recordings and Privacy Violations
Under South Carolina law, you have the right to be free from unlawful recordings in any place you have a reasonable expectation of privacy. These privacy rights extend to vacation rentals, especially individual bedrooms and bathrooms. Recording someone for sexual purposes is a serious crime, and privacy rights lawyers may help victims file police reports and identify predators. Additionally, unlawfully recording someone in a private area gives rise to numerous civil causes of action, including invasion of privacy and even breach of contract.
An experienced victims’ rights attorney may file a civil lawsuit against property owners, hotels, and vacation rental companies for these violations. Even if the camera was hidden for ‘security’ and not sexual purposes, this still violates the law and terms of most rental agreements. Juries have awarded substantial damages in such cases due to the severe emotional harm caused by such invasions.
Contact a Dedicated Hidden Camera and Privacy Rights Lawyer Immediately
If you suspect your vacation rental contained recording equipment, call the personal injury and victims’ rights lawyers at Ryan Beasley Law. Our team of legal advocates and private investigators can quickly respond to your claims and might help you obtain substantial damages to punish criminal offenders. Schedule your case consultation today by calling (864) 679-7777 or contacting us online.