gps tracking unit Archives

Car Trackers: What Are They, And How Do They Work?

 A tracker in this context means a small GPS tracking device designed to be discreetly and covertly attached to a car, other vehicle, or asset.

The tracker then enables the remote tracing of the car’s location and movements, providing what can be invaluable insight into its location, and the ability to potentially interpret its owner/operator’s behaviour, and intentions.

When And Why Do People Wish To Track Vehicles?

 The reasons are many and varied, but all share something in common. At the heart of them is the desire firstly to understand the vehicle’s location and movements, and secondly to be able to demonstrably prove this in a range of legal, personal, or professional circumstances.

Examples might include an employer tracking company vehicles, an organisation or individual protecting an asset against theft, or an individual concerned about another’s whereabouts. Very different reasons – but all sharing that same desire to gain insight and understanding, to inform future decision making.

Is It Legal To Put A Tracker On Someone’s Car?

The short answer is it depends. On intent, on method, on if and how data is gathered – and then used, and on many other factors. It’s important to ensure that the process used – and equally importantly, the justification for the vehicle tracking itself – is thoroughly explored, understood, and soundly reasoned out. For one thing to ensure your behaviour is legal, and for another to ensure that consequently any findings are admissible in court if and when required.

How Do I Ensure I’m Acting Legally?

Because this issue is complicated, and variable, the only answer we can provide is to contact us to discuss your needs. Our 25 years experience in – among other things – tracing, surveillance, and legal matters gives us as much knowledge around legality and ethics as it does the practical on-the-ground skills to enact operations in practice.

Covert GPS trackers on cars and other vehicles are among the most effective technical surveillance measures.

A question we commonly receive from our valued clients and potential clients – especially those concerned with surveillance, counter-surveillance, and the sense they’re being tracked or watched – is: How do I know if there’s a hidden GPS tracker on my car?

This post concerns various answers to that question: what to look for, what to avoid, how we can help, and also crucially – how to ensure you’re always acting safely and legally too. 

Before We Begin: Safety

There’s some vital housekeeping to cover before addressing any specifics. And this concerns what it may indicate that you initially find yourself in the position of asking the question “how do you detect a hidden GPS tracker on a car?”

1 – Are You In Fear For Your Safety?

Is the reason you suspect there may be a hidden GPS tracker on your vehicle indicative of a bigger issue that means you’re in any way fearing for your safety or wellbeing? If so – it’s essential to contact the police or relevant authorities to express your safety concerns and seek appropriate help.

2 – Have You Considered How To Investigate This Safely?

A willingness to investigate whether any GPS tracking devices are hidden on your own vehicle is one thing – but it’s important not to automatically presume you will do so safely. Examples of this include (but are of course not limited to) not doing so on or near an open road, and not with the car’s engine running. Our advice to you would always be to not undertake anything you can’t be certain of undertaking safely.

3 – Is This Part Of A Bigger Picture Of Your Counter-Surveillance Needs?

After considering your personal safety, if you find that this vehicle-tracking concern is part of a bigger picture of you needing counter-surveillance measures, you can contact us any time to discuss your needs. We’ll help you undertake an audit of all your needs in this field, identify any areas of concern, and help you to strategise to ensure you are not under any form of surveillance.

Hidden GPS Trackers On Cars: What To Look For

 The fact that GPS trackers are by definition technological devices can often create an assumption that the best methods used to detect them are also technological. And while that idea holds some truth and utility, there is no substitute for physically looking in, around, on, and under the car or vehicle itself. To reiterate – our advice is not to do this if you are inexperienced and in any way uncertain of the relevant safety and practicality.

Ideally, the attempt to detect a GPS tracker covertly placed on a car would combine physical and technological methods, and be undertaken by someone with significant prior experience, to ensure safety as well as certainty that no stone has been left unturned.

Why Use PDL To Find GPS Trackers Hidden On Vehicles

We have all the skills and experience required to help you. Here are the key benefits of working with us to locate GPS Trackers covertly placed on cars or other vehicles:

We deliver a combination of the physical and the technological so that nothing is missed.

Our significant experience means we have knowledge of all the tricks and hiding places used – meaning our sweep can go above and beyond what’s possible for the individual.

Our readiness to advise on any wider counter-surveillance measures required, if you fear the tracking of your vehicle is part of a bigger picture issue.

Please read more on why to use PDL more generally.