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us Sexual violence & highly sensitive situations hidden camera in hotel room • hidden camera in shower • suspicious device aimed at bed • spy camera in rental • covert recording device • bathroom privacy breach • bedroom privacy breach • hotel room surveillance • vacation rental hidden camera • undisclosed indoor camera • found camera in accommodation • filmed without consent • privacy violation while travelling • suspicious usb charger camera • suspicious smoke detector camera • small device pointed at me • accommodation safety concern • voyeurism concern • sexual privacy violation • hotel incident report • rental platform safety case

What to do if…
you find a small device aimed at your bed or shower in a hotel or rental

Short answer

Leave the room and get to a safer, public place first, then contact law enforcement and the accommodation/platform to relocate you and document what you found.

Do not do these things

  • Don’t keep using the room/shower/bed “just for tonight.”
  • Don’t confront the host, cleaner, or hotel staff alone or behind a closed door.
  • Don’t take the device apart, remove memory cards, or plug it into your phone/laptop.
  • Don’t start doing a full sweep for other devices while you’re alone.
  • Don’t post about it publicly while you’re still on-site.

What to do now

  1. Get to a safer pause. Put on clothes, grab essentials (phone, keys, wallet, ID, meds), and go to a public area (hallway, lobby/front desk, outside).
  2. Call for help based on urgency.
    • If you feel in danger or someone may return: call 911.
    • If you’re safe but want to report: ask the front desk/security to help you contact the local police non-emergency line, or look it up from a safe public place. Ask for an incident/report number.
  3. Ask to be moved immediately (and avoid going back alone).
    • Hotel: ask the manager to move you now and create an incident report (ask for the report number and the manager’s name).
    • Rental/platform: contact the platform’s safety/support line and request urgent rebooking/relocation and a safety investigation.
  4. Preserve the situation with minimal handling (only if it feels safe). If you can do this without increasing risk, take 1–2 quick photos showing the device in place and the wider location, and write down the time/date, room number or listing address, and booking details. If it doesn’t feel safe, skip this and focus on leaving and calling law enforcement/support.
  5. Ask for records to be kept. Request that the hotel/platform retain anything that could help later (for example: key-card/access logs, staff entry records, and any relevant hallway/security camera footage). Ask who is responsible for preserving this and note their name.
  6. Get confidential support (optional, but available 24/7). You can contact RAINN’s National Sexual Assault Hotline for support and options:
    • Call 800-656-HOPE (4673)
    • Chat via the hotline page
    • Text “HOPE” to 64673

What can wait

  • You do not have to decide right now whether to file a formal report, give a statement, or pursue a case.
  • You do not need to identify the device model, find more devices, or figure out who did it.
  • You can wait to write reviews, post online, or negotiate refunds until you’re safe and supported.

Important reassurance

This can feel violating and disorienting even if you don’t know whether anything was recorded. Leaving immediately and asking for help is a reasonable response.

Scope note

These are first steps only: safety, documentation, and preserving options. Later steps (formal complaints, legal advice, longer-term support) can come after you’re out of the situation.

Important note

This guide is general information for immediate safety and next actions, not legal advice. If you are in immediate danger, call 911.

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