I’ve spent time covering the cameras you can see in your neighborhood, notably Flock surveillance cameras going up by surprise to track nearby people and cars. But for home security, it’s also important to talk about the hidden cameras that burglars may be using in residential areas to spy on houses and prep for break-ins.

I’ve been tracking this tactic for years. It’s real, and these hidden cameras aren’t going away: One burglary ring was recently arrested in Los Angeles after a series of break-ins connected to surveillance cameras. In Oregon and Washington, police recently rounded up thieves posing as delivery drivers and landscapers after using hidden cameras.

The good news is that updating to newer security systems and cameras that have defenses against hacking and Wi-Fi jamming is typically enough to drive these burglars away, and so far, break-ins have been limited to certain neighborhoods in the US, not widespread. Here are the details you should know to keep your home safe.

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Is this really a new wave of high-tech ‘crime tourist’ burglars?

Sort of, but it’s not as extravagant as some news stories would have people believe. Traditional burglars are adopting new surveillance techniques thanks to wireless cam technology. 

Some news and law enforcement organizations have started calling these thieves “crime tourists,” based on the belief that the practice began with visitors — particularly from South America — using short-term visas or visa-free entry to identify and burglarize homes. Certain robbers were tracked back to Chile, Peru, Colombia and nearby countries that share these programs with the US.

However, these techniques aren’t exclusive to any particular group. (The UK and Australia have seen similar problems.) And not all claims made in the media about these acts have been confirmed. Some people also use the term “South American theft groups,” which we stress aren’t self-identified gangs, or limited to South America — rather, this is a phrase police organizations coined when trying to track down sponsorship for certain crimes.

But this new wave of thieves using hidden spy cameras do share a number of common tactics. Those include:

• Identifying affluent neighborhoods or specific homes that look like they could contain lots of valuables. Sometimes specific communities, such as Asian neighborhoods, are targeted.
• Looking for homes where it’s easy to hide things or people in nearby bushes, trees or shrubs.
• Monitoring these homes for several days to track people’s movements. These cameras often have motion detection or even AI recognition capabilities.
• Seeing what homes get regular, unattended packages ripe for piracy. 
• Camouflaging spy cams with leaves and green cases to hide them in trees or bushes.
• Quickly breaking into homes during the day to steal jewelry, cash and expensive accessories while homeowners are gone.
• Avoiding the purchase and use of firearms or other illegal activities that could draw attention.
• Having contacts who can swiftly bail out the thieves if they’re arrested.

Police are also claiming that these rings use Wi-Fi jammer technology to disable security systems. I’ve dug into this issue, and police typically have very little evidence that jammers are used. Plus, with modern technology, Wi-Fi jammers don’t threaten security systems the way they used to. Be wary of local security companies claiming you need a wired system for defense — they’re typically seizing the moment for marketing, nothing more. Here’s my full guide on jamming technology and why burglars struggle to use it.

Wait, why are the burglars hiding their own security cameras in the first place?

It’s all about learning your schedule. Most burglaries happen in the middle of the day, when no one’s home. But it’s harder than ever to count on that, so these advanced thieves use battery-powered security cameras and apps to quickly view a full day’s activity outside of a home, noting when people leave and return.

With this information, burglars can create a plan to quickly break into a house when everyone is gone and get out before anyone realizes they were there. They can also note when neighbors leave or arrive, to cut down on other risks. A couple of weekdays of monitoring, and a burglary can become much more efficient.

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What do these burglar cams look like? How do I know if I see one?

The burglars are using various models, but they are often wireless and mounted on nearby trees or bushes to provide a clear view of specific houses. Typically, these cameras will appear one day with no warning. People may assume that it’s a neighbor installing a surveillance system. Others may never notice the cams at all.

When you see an unexpected camera appear near your house, you should try to track down its source. Call up your neighbors. Contact your HOA or any other governing body in your neighborhood and ask if they installed cameras. Contact your city and see if they put up a surveillance system in your area. Flock cameras usually have a very identifiable camera and solar panel, but not all surveillance cams are from Flock Safety, and they can take many forms.

If you’ve ruled everything else out, it’s time to contact the police about a potential threat.

Are police working to stop these crimes?

Different police departments have different responses, but with agencies including the FBI involved, law enforcement has had a measure of success in catching these criminals. For example, a surveillance project enabled detectives to capture a three-person crime ring (all US citizens in this case) in Boston.

Similar efforts have been successful in other cities. The West Coast cases I mentioned above saw several different rings arrested as police grow more aware of the tactics used. In other cases, homeowners have found the hidden cams themselves and reported them to police departments, but that hasn’t led to arrests so far.

The problem is that police don’t always have the resources and time to arrange a surveillance project like Boston did. They definitely don’t have the resources to check every suburban neighborhood for hidden cameras in the foliage. And if a burglary has already happened, it’s tough for cops to do much unless the burglars keep hitting homes in the same area.

That means homeowners are the first — and often best — line of defense against these patient, tech-savvy thieves.

How can I stop burglars who prep like this?

It’s very hard for most people to adjust their routines or try to fool hidden burglar cams. But all the prep in the world won’t do thieves much good against the right kinds of home security. Here’s how to think about boosting your protection if you consider your home a likely target for these kinds of criminals.

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1. Deal with overgrown areas on your property

Avoid leaving any overgrown shrubs or trees where thieves can hide their own cameras. Keep your bushes and other greenery well trimmed, well away from walls or fences and without blind spots. Consider removing ivy or any wall-growth plants. A well-tended yard is a poor place to put a camera.

If you’ve had recent burglaries in your area, consider taking a tour of the street-side trees and any large shrubs on the other side of the street to see if there’s a camera hiding there.

2. Use a security camera with lights and human detection

Advanced security cameras have two-way audio, human detection and programmable LED floodlights you can use to make any trespasser think twice, regardless of whether you’re home. Even if thieves approach confidently during the day, a camera or video doorbell can still alert you to their presence, while the audio features let you immediately tap in from the app and ask what they’re doing.

Read more: Best Security Cameras With Lights

3. Program smart light schedules

Vacation modes for smart lights simulate people being home, so burglars don’t recognize houses as vacant. Similar smart light settings can make it seem as if people are working from home during the day, or coming home from work, even if no one’s there that early in the evening. Confuse burglars with these settings, and they’re much more likely to choose a different target.

4. Arm a home security system with sirens

Though tenacious thieves may ignore a home security system, systems armed with access sensors and loud sirens remain an excellent deterrent. These new burglaries depend on no one noticing the break-in. Sirens that can alert neighbors and passersby can help drive worried burglars away ASAP. The top home security systems have features and add-ons just for this, as do the best DIY systems. Also, they’re designed to sound off even if Wi-Fi signals are disrupted in most cases.

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5. Lock valuables in a durable safe

Any small valuables left accessible are easy targets for these thieves, as are smaller safes that can be carried away. Keep small valuables in a high-quality home safe while you’re away, and if it’s a smaller smart safe, find one that can be bolted in place for added protection.

For more tips on improving your overall home security, take a look at our full home security cheat sheet and review the worst home security mistakes you can make.

Tyler Lacoma

Editor / Home Security and Smart Home

Tyler has worked on, lived with and tested all types of smart home and security technology for over a dozen years, explaining the latest features, privacy tricks, and top recommendations.

With degrees in Business Management, Literature and Technical Writing, Tyler takes every opportunity to play with the latest AI technology, push smart devices to their limits and occasionally throw cameras off his roof, all to find the best devices to trust in your life. He always checks with the renters (and pets) in his life to see what smart products can work for everyone, in every living situation.

Living in beautiful Bend, Oregon gives Tyler plenty of opportunities to test the latest tech in every kind of weather and temperature. But when not at work, he can be found hiking the trails, trying out a new food recipe for his loved ones, keeping up on his favorite reading, or gaming with good friends.

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