When faced with a tracking device, most people instinctively think of a private investigator, but in most cases the culprit is always a suspicious and overly jealous partner or ex-boyfriend. In these cases, the tendency is to use inexpensive detectors that are not very effective and above all easy to find and remove. However, even the smallest and most sophisticated devices can be identified, but more in-depth research is required in this case.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Inspect the exterior of the car
Step 1. Get a flashlight and the car owner's manual
The cheapest position detectors are enclosed in boxes of not exactly reduced dimensions, equipped with magnetic attachment. Obviously, it is fair to point out that there are also very sophisticated detectors of very small dimensions. In some cases, the only trace of the presence of a device of this type is a simple electric wire that protrudes from the point where it is installed. Unless you know your car in depth, it is always a good idea to have the instruction and maintenance booklet handy to avoid damaging vital parts of the vehicle.
Step 2. Check the car chassis
Lie on the ground on your back, then aim the flashlight beam towards the back of the vehicle. Most car detectors need a GPS connection to be able to track the position, so it is not possible to install them in very hidden points of the vehicle where the presence of many metal parts would block the connection. Turn your attention to the outer perimeter of the bottom of the car for antennas, suspicious small boxes, or objects taped into place.
- If you spot a strange or oddly shaped object, try to remove it with a little pressure.
- First, examine the fuel tank. It is a large metal surface, often smooth without protrusions, an ideal place to install a device of this kind equipped with a magnetic attachment.
Step 3. Inspect the wheel arches carefully
Check carefully the plastic parts that seal the niches in which the tires are housed. Focus mainly on the points of the wheel arches that are loose or bent; these are the most obvious places to install a position detector. Remember that the main function of the wheel arches is to protect the internal parts of the car from splashes and foreign agents while the vehicle is running, so in these points there are never any electrical devices equipped with antennas or cables.
If you suspect that someone has accessed the vehicle for an extended period of time, you can remove the wheels to be able to examine the interior area more carefully, but this is usually a very rare occurrence. In this case, be careful because modern vehicles are equipped with ABS, so sensors connected to electrical wires are installed on the brake calipers of these cars which are right and permitted to be there
Step 4. Check the inside of the bumpers
Both the front and rear ones provide several well-hidden points where even a very cheap GPS detector can be easily housed. Check carefully the inside where anyone could have installed a detector anywhere.
A device installed on the front bumper may also be connected to the vehicle's electrical system. Before removing any electrical or electronic device, carefully consult the car's instruction manual
Step 5. Inspect the roof
This is a useful point for installing a device of this kind only in two specific scenarios: in the case of an SUV or other very high vehicle capable of hiding the tracker from the view of the occupants or in the case of the presence of a sunroof that could house a small device in the housing that allows it to open.
Step 6. Finally, examine the engine compartment
This is a very hot spot on the vehicle that is frequently inspected by the vehicle owner. These conditions make it a bad place to install a tracker. In any case this is not an impossible possibility, but it is very likely that a jealous partner or a paranoid neighbor would prefer not to use it to install their tracker. To be on the safe side, quickly inspect the car's engine compartment, then move on to carefully check the cockpit.
Suspicious or misplaced electrical wires connected to the car battery could indicate the presence of a location detector. Before jumping to wrong conclusions, take note of the correct electrical system configuration shown in the vehicle's owner's manual
Part 2 of 3: Inspect the Interior of the Car
Step 1. Check inside the seat covers
If your car has seat covers and detachable head restraints, unzip the seat cover so you can inspect the interior. Check each removable part carefully.
Step 2. Check under the seats and under the floor mats
Point the flashlight at the bottom of the seats. Remember that some modern cars are equipped with heated seats. Compare the look of the bottom of both front seats to check for any visual anomalies.
Step 3. Access the area under the dashboard
On most car models it is possible to remove a compartment for objects placed in the lower part of the dashboard exactly above the pedal board. Look for electrical wires that appear loose or connected to others in the vehicle's electrical system, then try to walk them back to their origin. Run your fingers across the underside of the dashboard looking for an antenna-like object attached with glue or tape.
Step 4. Check the trunk
Remember that most position detectors cannot receive the signal through the metal parts of a vehicle. Before inspecting the trunk sheets, focus on the part of the luggage compartment located just below the rear window. Remove the spare wheel from its housing, then carefully check both the spare wheel and the wheel itself.
Part 3 of 3: Additional Controls
Step 1. Hire a professional
If you haven't spotted any detectors, chances are there aren't any, but if you still have any suspicions you can hire a professional to carefully inspect the vehicle. Try to turn to professionals of this type:
- Official alarm system installers selling GPS trackers;
- Mechanics who have already had experience in detecting trackers installed inside vehicles;
- Private investigators.
Step 2. Have the car analyzed electronically
Electronic devices that transmit an active signal can be identified with precision using special detectors (otherwise, position detectors that simply store information and need to be recovered by the owner are not detected by this type of detectors). If you are willing to spend a significant amount of money, you can turn to a company that specializes in selling devices designed to circumvent surveillance systems.
There are trackers designed to transmit data only occasionally or only while the vehicle is in motion, so get help from a friend and perform this type of electronic check while the car is in motion (remember that radio transmissions generated by cell phones can interfere with the normal operation of this type of device)
Advice
- Always remember to lock your car and park it in a safe place when you are not using it. These measures do not totally eliminate the risk that some attacker will install a GPS detector, but at least minimize the likelihood of this occurring.
- Most of these devices need to be recovered in a short amount of time both to replace the battery and to download the data they have stored. Monitor the vehicle by installing a video camera near the place where you usually park the car so you can catch the culprit in the act. Modern car position detectors are equipped with a very long battery life and a transmitter, so there is no guarantee that the person using it will necessarily have to retrieve it quickly.
