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tones or tone combinations. During our surveys, such devices are detected with a polytonic sweep generated by our Digital Electronic Telephone Analyzer, which, in effect, runs all tone combinations at ultra high speed, activating any such device, which causes a significant drop in voltage reading. In other words, we detect their presence by activating them.
Q. Is there anything that would indicate the presence of an infinity transmitter other than hiring you or a similar service to do a high-priced technical survey?
A. Yes. If people frequently mention to you that they tried to reach you by phone, but your line is often busy for long stretches of time during periods when you believe the phone was not in use, this is an indication such a device is on your system. If this occurs, it would make sense to begin closely monitoring your caller identification system if you have this service. If an unusual number or blocked calls show, this may be cause for concern. Additionally, it might make sense to periodically use the feature of your telephone service which allows you to automatically call back the last number that called your phone. In the U. S., on touch tone instruments, this can usually be accomplished by dialing *69.
Q. What is the most common mistake made by people who do, in fact, have taps on their telephones before contracting for your services.
A. A surprising number of people have called our offices from the suspect line asking that we perform electronic countermeasures work. If the line is actually tapped and conversation monitored, the device will likely be removed prior to our arrival--and probably reinstalled subsequent to the negative electronic search. This same problem exists when people who suspect an office is bugged discuss countermeasures in that office. We generally point out this error to the caller and delay providing services for a reasonable waiting period after making arrangements with the client on off premises phones. In most cases, however, we would detect the fact that a eavesdropping device was previously in place during our physical search. In one case, a California client advised he was making the arrangements from outside his offices, but in fact was calling from a private phone located in his office, but which was independent from the main computer-based system. This was an extensive operation which cost over $8,000. The offices and main system were found to be free of any problems, but an exceptionally crude tap had previously been in place only on the private line this client had used. When we conducted the survey, we found wiring which ran from his line to an area in the rafters over a maintenance closet. This illicit line had been freshly cut and the impression in the dust in this area clearly showed where a sound-activated recorder had been sitting for some time.
Q. I have been told that something was installed in my telephone at home that can be used as a tap. Is this possible and, if so, if I take the phone apart can I find it. Also, can you detect this electronically or in any other way?
A. Devices such as this do exist, but it is unlikely it could be detected visually, since it would undoubtedly be disguised as a standard component. Additionally, circuitry within these instruments can be altered. Visual inspection of telephone instruments is inconclusive and the only way to establish whether such a device or alteration is there is to electronically test all connections in the instrument and determine their function. For instance, in a typical residential instrument, the only electronic connection is a bell ringer circuit. If your only concern here is regaining your privacy and peace of mind, it would not be cost effective for us to con
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