What Should I Do if I Discover a Hidden Camera in My Vacation Rental?
Renters often don’t believe their eyes when they discover hidden cameras in vacation rentals. It’s normal to wonder if you should reach out to the property owner or rental company in such cases, especially if you’re not sure about the camera’s purpose. Do not do this without a lawyer’s help, as it’s likely to tip off the offender and result in lost evidence.
If you discover a hidden camera in a South Carolina vacation rental, especially in bathrooms, bedrooms, or children’s rooms, this is a serious crime. Contact the experienced victims’ rights attorneys at Ryan Beasley Law immediately to discuss the best approach for protecting your family.
Understanding Your Right to Privacy in South Carolina
Guests have a right to privacy in rental homes, including private homes rented through vacation platforms such as Airbnb and Vrbo. Homeowners are not permitted to place cameras or recording devices inside these rentals under the terms and conditions of their rental agreements. Further, hidden cameras are not permitted under South Carolina law if they’re used to obtain sensitive sexual content.
If you find surveillance equipment in a vacation rental, especially cameras hidden in private areas, do not give the homeowner the benefit of the doubt. This is unlawful and likely criminal. Instead, consider taking the following steps:
- Contact a local privacy rights attorney
- Do not touch the device
- Take pictures of the recording device location
- Contact the police
- Avoid ‘tipping off’ the offender
- Do not leave the premises
The sooner you contact a victims’ rights attorney who can help you connect with law enforcement, the higher the likelihood of catching the offender. Tipping off the criminal by contacting the landlord, who may be a liable party, may result in substantial lost evidence. He or she may even attempt to unexpectedly enter the property and reacquire the device. Remember, offenders are likely watching you via Wi-Fi. For this reason, it’s important to quickly connect with a legal advocate and law enforcement to preserve evidence before contacting the rental company or landlord.
Potential Compensation for Voyeurism and Privacy Violations in Vacation Rentals
In South Carolina, using hidden cameras or recording devices to obtain sensitive content is considered voyeurism. This is criminal, and penalties increase if your private information is shared with online streaming platforms. However, compensation from criminal prosecutions is limited. Most victims of spying obtain damages from civil lawsuits against the offender, vacation rental company, streaming website, property owner, or property management company.
Qualified privacy rights lawyers might help South Carolina families victimized by hidden cameras in vacation rentals obtain compensation for their emotional distress, damages for breach of contract, and punitive damages from offenders. Punitive damages punish intentional offenders for heinous crimes, and our attorneys have obtained multi-million-dollar verdicts in such cases.
Contact Our Law Firm Immediately for Suspected Hidden Cameras in South Carolina Vacation Rentals
With a record of success, the experienced victims’ rights attorneys at Ryan Beasley Law know how to handle unlawful private surveillance claims. Do not delay, as this may result in critical lost evidence. Call us now at (864) 679-7777 or contact us online if you discover a hidden camera in your vacation rental.