How To Behave If You Suspect That You Have Been Bugged

How To Behave Around Bugs and Wiretaps
[Special precautions and behaviors which must be practiced if you
suspect that you are a potential victim of bugging or wiretapping]

Be Calm...
DO Immediately contact a TSCM specialist
DO Use E-Mail to contact (but be discreet)
DO Use the phone, but call from a phone away from your office or home.
DO Schedule a Vulnerability Analysis or Threat Assessment ASAP
DO Consider having a Full TSCM Survey or Sweep completed ASAP
Be Very Discreet...
DO NOT Try to find the bug or wiretap yourself
DO NOT Contact the telephone company to help (they will laugh at you)
DO NOT Contact the FBI/Secret Service to help (they will ignore you)
DO NOT Try to get the local police to help (they lack the ability)
DO NOT Use your office telephone to initiate contact
DO NOT Use your cellular or cordless phone to initiate contact
DO NOT Discuss this issue at the office, in your car, or at home
DO NOT Engage a private investigator to find it (they may have planted it)
DO NOT Buy spy shop bug detectors (most are worthless, and a scam)
It is critical that you get a TSCM specialist out to the area to be inspected a quickly as possible (typically within 72 hours or less, the same day is ideal).
It is important that you keep the area occupied until the TSCM specialists arrival to prevent removal of any possible eavesdropping device.
If you are currently the target of eavesdropping, special steps must be taken to avoid alerting the eavesdroppers that you are seeking professional help to detect their activities.
If such an eavesdropper learns that a team is about to perform a TSCM service they will quickly remove (or turn off) their eavesdropping devices, and re-install them after the sweep has been completed (and no bugs will be found).
Many TSCM sweeps have been compromised or ruined by clients who call the TSCM specialist from the suspect facility.
Keep in mind that there are less then a dozen legitimate and competent TSCM specialists and counterintelligence firms in the U.S. private sector, be patient when trying to locate one to help you.
Watch out for the "Two-Week Wonders," a number of private investigator schools certify students to do TSCM sweeps after only one or two weeks of classroom training. Their typical student has little or no technical background, and rarely any intelligence training or background.
All legitimate TSCM people have extensive background in either electronics or government intelligence operations (often both).
A legitimate TSCM person will also have at least 500 hours of specialized TSCM inspection training on top of their expert technical skills and technical training (don't be bashful about asking about their technical credentials).
Private Investigators are rarely qualified to perform bug sweeps, their training, background, and equipment are for the INSTALLATION of bugging devices, NOT removal. An honest PI will usually bring in an outside TSCM firm as a subcontractor or on a referral basis.
Be suspicious about any TSCM specialist who seems a little too pushy, too enthusiastic, or anyone who wants to play "cloak and dagger games" with you.
Many people pushing bug sweep services wear a good suit well, have just that right combination of absolute sincerity and dishonesty, and have the finely honed ability to completely mesmerize and alarm a potential client who needs bug sweep services but feel that only a James Bond type can do them job for them.
For every legitimate TSCM specialist there are 50 con artists, 50 outright crooks, and 100 bumbling fools who will also try to get your business. Many of these people are criminals (usually convicted felons), who also operate businesses which sell and/or install eavesdropping equipment. (Remember ask about their technical credentials).
Always ask the TSCM specialist "what else they do", as many firms do TSCM as an extra service, and do not specialize in it. Do they list TSCM as something they "also do", but not as one of the top services they offer? Many PI's list TSCM and Bug Sweep services at the bottom of their services list (right underneath polygraph interviews, executive protection, dog walking, grocery shopping, and technical security).

Special Precautions for Executives

When you suspect that you may be the victim of covert eavesdropping:

Watch what you say at home or at the office, and never discuss your concerns inside, outside, or near any suspect facility)

If you need to discuss this issue with someone, DON'T do it at the office, your auto, or home.

Never call a TSCM firm from any phone near your office, or your residence. Instead call from a randomly chosen pay phone that is 5-10 miles away for the initial contact (pay phones at hospitals, airports, large hotels, train stations, and other large public areas are a good choice).

Private telephones in the homes of senior executives are a popular and valuable targets for an eavesdropper, so do not call from home.

Never call from any type of cordless phone, cellular telephone, PCS phone, or any other type of wireless device.

Do not trust any type of spread spectrum telephone or fax machine line as they are very easy to monitor.

You can contact a TSCM specialist by E-mail, but only to set up an appointment for a phone, or face-to-face consultation.

Schedule a Vulnerability Analysis or Threat Assessment, and try to get the TSCM specialist to schedule a visit as soon as possible.

Have someone who specializes in technical counterintelligence do a TSCM Survey, and make sure that this person is an expert with computers, telecommunications, and electronics.

Handle the logistics of the inspection away from your office.

Don't wait until you have a problem to contact a TSCM professional.

Work with a TSCM professional to set up a formal corporate TSCM and technical counterintelligence policy

The most important issue you should start thinking about is: "What are we going to do if a bug is found?"

How To Engage a TSCM Firm

Recommended U.S. TSCM Firms

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