No, the FBI does not randomly or routinely listen to the phone calls or conversations of ordinary citizens. Such surveillance requires a legally obtained warrant based on sufficient evidence of serious criminal activity or national security threats, and it is subject to strict legal oversight and internal auditing.
Assess the situation: Pay close attention to your surroundings and any suspicious behaviour you observe. Look for signs of stalking/surveillance, such as individuals loitering nearby, unusual vehicles parked outside your home or workplace, or repeated encounters with the same people.
The FBI will never: ❌Call or e-mail private citizens to demand payment or threaten arrest.
Signs your phone is tapped
5 signs your phone is possibly being tracked
If a malicious actor has simply enabled your phone's built-in mirroring tools, you should be able to see a notification in your phone's top bar indicating this. On Android, this will usually say “Link to Windows” or “Casting,” while iOS users should look for anything mentioning mirroring or “Phone Link.”
How can you tell the government is watching you?
Can I run a test to see if my phone is hacked? Yes, running an antivirus scan using a mobile security app like Norton 360 Deluxe can help you identify malware infections that could be granting hackers access to your device or data.
Phone tapping sometimes involves call forwarding, where incoming calls are silently redirected to another number. Dialing MMI codes like *#62# or checking call settings can reveal whether calls are being diverted. If call forwarding is detected, you can disable it – instructions below.
You should be wary of answering calls from Caribbean area codes like 876 (Jamaica), 473 (Grenada), 268 (Antigua & Barbuda), 284 (BVI), and 649 (Turks & Caicos), as these are frequently linked to one-ring scams, lottery fraud, and investment scams, where a brief ring prompts you to call back, incurring high charges. Letting calls from unknown international numbers go to voicemail is best, as scammers often spoof local numbers or use these hotspots for fraud, and legitimate callers usually leave a message.
If you get a phone call from someone claiming to be from the FBI and they pressure you to give money—don't. Don't panic, don't pay, and do not provide any information. A real FBI agent will never ask you for money.
Government agencies will never call, email, text, or message you on social media to ask for money or personal information. Only a scammer will do that.
8 Signs of Being Under Federal Investigation
Press *#*#4636#*#* or *#*#197328640#*#* to see if anyone is watching your movements. These are Utility Net Monitor Codes. Dialing these codes can tell you if you're being tracked or monitored through your mobile phone.
Use a Listening Device Detector App
Listening device detector apps scan the area using an infrared scanner or the phone's magnetic sensor. To scan, walk around the property pointing your phone in all suspect areas as directed.
Why do Android phones turn up in breach headlines so often? Android powers most of the world's phones and many run outdated software, so attackers get more mileage for their effort. iPhones see fewer hits overall but attract highly skilled spyware crews.
Dial codes like *#21# or *#62# help check call forwarding settings, but they can't confirm if your phone is hacked. They're useful for spotting suspicious redirections, but use trusted antivirus apps for reliable threat detection.
Start by deleting unknown apps, updating your software, and running a security scan. Change passwords to any affected accounts and turn on 2FA. If you believe your phone has been hacked, start by removing any suspicious apps, updating your phone, and getting access back to any hacked accounts.
Spot Common Signs of Surveillance
You have the right to ask for a copy of records the police have about you on the Police National Computer (PNC) and this request is processed by ACRO. A Subject Access Request from ACRO will provide you with a record of information stored on the PNC.
How to protect your data against government spying
Three-finger gestures on iPhone primarily activate accessibility features like VoiceOver (for screen reading and navigation) and Zoom (magnification), allowing scrolling, zooming, and text manipulation (copy/paste/undo) with specific taps and drags, though some text actions work without VoiceOver enabled for quick editing. Common gestures include three-finger double-tap to toggle VoiceOver speech, triple-tap for the screen curtain, and pinching/spreading with three fingers for copy/paste actions, notes this YouTube video.
Keep an eye out for significant changes in device temperature and battery life, as these might indicate remote access. During calls, pay attention to any strange noises or voices, as they could indicate unauthorized call monitoring or recording. Be cautious of increased service messages and pop-up ads.
How to check your Android Bluetooth connections: