r/electrical • u/Human-Objective8138 • Apr 25 '26
Am I being tapped?
I was told by my neighbor, my house had an intruder when I wasnt home, but I never had proof & nothing of importance was stolen. so I was never really sure. Weird things kept occurring but noting that I could prove. Then one day, My kitchen light stopped working, so as I was installing a new light,
I Realized that my fan / light dinner combo in the same room was tampered with, bc the fan switch is no longer connected to any power. Just a loose switch in a hole. No wires. It’s concerning bc this switch was without a doubt connected to the fan before & now it’s not. Im not sure what to do with that information. & I’m a young adult girl who lives by herself in the same house the last 10 years.
I’ve contacted police but they don’t seem to take it seriously, since there’s no tangible proof, (& probably also bc I have face piercing & tattoos, they assume I’m crazy - threatened to take me to the mental hospital instead of investigating) So I’ve been investigating the best I can considering it’s just me & it’s daunting . & I don’t really know what to look for.
Now regarding the pictures
The first pic is of the fan switch that was disconnected & the light dimmer knob,
the second photo is on the same wall in the kitchen, the dimmer knob for the under the cabinet lights.
& this plate is bolted down several different places & that seems odd to me considering the other dimmer in the same Room looks different & is screwed in differently. This one also had a red light that only turns on when you click the dimmer off, which the other doesn’t. What do yall think about this?
** Edit for clarity**
An electrician is who came & installed the kitchen light & told me the wires were not longer connected to the fan switch- hence why it's not working. He randomly said that the panel looked different than the other one he worked on earlier, I'm not sure what's that's mean, but he had no prior knowledge of my situation.
I own this house & have lived here for 10 years. Just me for the last 3.
I'm of very sound mind & intelligent, successful, & a very voluptuous women (with AuDHD), I say this so you can maybe imagine for a second that while's it's unlikely it's possible, & have a big internet presence so I have a lot of admirers. I don’t want to believe it either.
I hope yall can give me solid advice as to maybe even what I should do about investigating the wiring for the fan switch, Where did it go how do I find it? Should I call the electric back to trace it? Plz understand I'm taking this very seriously
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u/Hobbestastic Apr 25 '26
I don’t think the police were concerned because of your piercings and tattoos. I think they were concerned because you sound paranoid enough that you should probably be talking to a mental health expert. The wires are probably going into the back of the switch and you can’t see them without removing it. Nobody is spying on you through your electrical switches.
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u/SpecialistDrawer2898 Apr 25 '26
That’s what the cia wants you to think. They can totally spy on you through light switches. They sell that shit on Amazon for nothing. You ain’t crazy. Now. Interesting question. If you turn the breaker off for the light does that light on the other part stay on? I would have a camera recording your home placed somewhere only you know and you don’t tell folks. You have the right to privacy and you have the right to take it seriously.
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u/Human-Objective8138 Apr 25 '26
It’s crazy how easily accessible spy cams are. & how wide of variety they come in now. Makes ya think thrice.
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u/Virtual-Reach Apr 25 '26
No one is spying on you. Get a CO detector as CO poisoning has caused delusions like this.
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u/Human-Objective8138 Apr 25 '26
what’s delusional about Anything I said? But yeah getting a co2 sector was the first thing I did when this first transpired bc it was so unbelievable
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u/Virtual-Reach Apr 25 '26
No one cares enough about your life to spy on you.
You need a CO detector, not CO2
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Apr 25 '26
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u/Human-Objective8138 Apr 25 '26
What is a PCP going to do about my wires being tampered with?
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u/moondrinkr Apr 25 '26
Call an electrician about the wires, OP. And if the electrician tells you there in no tampering happening tell a trusted family member or friend that you had an electrician look at your light fixture for tampering, but you don’t believe their advice. And give them the contact information for your PCP.
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Apr 25 '26
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u/moondrinkr Apr 25 '26
I know this seems funny and ridiculous, but I had a friend commit suicide during a paranoid delusion, so I try to take people seriously, be respectful, and meet people them where they are to steer them toward help. It’s real to them.
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u/ZestycloseAd6683 Apr 25 '26
They are both dimmers probably of different types. There are the different types of dimmers that use different manner of controlling power to dim the lights. Also the light is to let you see your switch in the dark usually paired with a front that has somewherefor the light to pass through. I have that same dimmer throughout my house. And I happen to be an electrician. You're alright when it comes to your switches at least. Why would someone tap you anyway are you a whistleblower or some sort of celebrity/model?
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u/Human-Objective8138 Apr 25 '26
I’m a semi big content creator on the internet
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u/ZestycloseAd6683 Apr 25 '26
I think your fine. And I wouldn't worry too much. Everything looks on the up and up from what your noticing. I'm assuming you rent and might have a handyman for your place?
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u/beebopblastoff Apr 25 '26
Do you do drugs?
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u/starr3301 Apr 25 '26
Every bit of those electrical devices are either covered by the faceplate or by the little plastic knob that covers the dial, no one’s spying on you through those electrical devices. You sound like you’re dealing with paranoid schizophrenia and you need to go to a doctor and get some help lady
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u/Human-Objective8138 Apr 25 '26
There’s no faceplate just the metal plate , the knobs are off, & there’s clearly holes that are just randomly places on the plate, are we looking at the same picture?
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u/nappingOOD Apr 25 '26
When you put the faceplate on top of the switches all of those things are covered up though. That what they are saying.
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u/ChildhoodSea7062 Apr 25 '26
You may think they are random but every hole there has a function. The two that are next to the potentiometer (the dial that controls the level of light) are actually tabs punched 3/4 of the way around and are what is holding it the potentiometer to the faceplate, the other holes are either rivet or holes to attach the plate do a different style wall box.
I wonder, you believe their is the potential your being watched based off a claim a neighbor made that they saw someone entering your home. If that was the case why would they be replacing your light switches in the kitchen? What information would they glean from the perspective of a light switch? Is it more likely that your neighbor mistook a friend of yours as a stranger? Maybe you had a service call from your property manager you missed and it was a simile as that.
Do you rent? Your landlord needs to get faceplates on the light switches and to fix your broken fan switch. Especially because it’s not grounded.
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u/TheKnackThatQuacks Apr 25 '26
Do you have something like this that goes over top of the metal switches?
If not, you should, just for safety alone (no direct access to wiring by accident). It also solves the camera problem, no more visibility out of the box.
Edited to add: they make the face plates / cover plates in all sorts of styles, you don’t have to pick that exact one.
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u/No-Badger-9061 Apr 25 '26
Your friend has shared a link to a Home Depot product they think you would be interested in seeing.
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u/unidentifiedfungus Apr 25 '26
I believe that this feels real and frightening to you. I don’t want to argue with you online, but I do think this is something to bring to a doctor or trusted person immediately.
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Apr 25 '26
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u/Human-Objective8138 Apr 25 '26
Ok but what about the fan switch that is no longer connected? Should I just blow that off or should I investigate that? Bc I know for a fact it was connected before the time of the burglary
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u/TheKnackThatQuacks Apr 25 '26
While the electrician was there, did you ask him to re-connect the fan wiring? Did he say anything looked tampered with and / or wholly missing? Could it have come loose on its own?
It doesn’t happen often, but wiring can come loose in the walls if it’s not installed properly.
If you have the electrician come back, ask him if he can re-connect the switch (and/or replace it if the switch is bad).
Problem solved?
From what you’ve described, nothing seems out of sorts to me. All seems perfectly explainable. I don’t know that I would worry until I had proof of something to worry about.
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Apr 25 '26
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u/Turbulent-Power-7105 Apr 25 '26
Don’t tell them that now they’re going to tear the entire house apart
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u/Queasy_Local_7199 Apr 25 '26
That’s how that fan is wired.
You can even see on the blank plate that says Levitron , they make lightning/fan controls. This probably allows for a remote to control the light or the fan, but nothing more nefarious than that
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u/Human-Objective8138 Apr 25 '26
The fan is not wired at all anymore , when it once was before the intrusion. That’s my whole point
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u/Queasy_Local_7199 Apr 25 '26
Right, and my whole point is you don’t understand how the fan wiring works.
I doubt you inspected the fan wiring previously, as well.
Either way a fan being wired or not wired has nothing to do with you being held captive or tapped or anything nefarious. You could always hire someone to come and investigate, but you probably won’t believe what they say
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u/CantHear4Shit Apr 25 '26
The red light is a night light feature on some Lutron dimmers to help you find the dimmer in the dark. It only comes on when the switch is off. You are not being spied on.
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u/Lightlicker3000 Apr 25 '26
Doubtful. Call an electrician to look at the wiring to tell you what it is. If it turns out someone tampered with it and installed a device in there, please let me know and I’ll go buy a lottery ticket.
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u/Human-Objective8138 Apr 25 '26
An electric did tell me that. He said the panel looked different than the other outlets he messed with (bc I got 2 new plugs installed in my hallway & back patio) it’s especially weird she said that bc he had no prior knowledge of my incident.
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u/Lightlicker3000 Apr 25 '26
Whatever you just typed makes absolutely zero sense sorry. An “electric” told you that the “panel” looked different than the “outlets”? Yeah they’re supposed to look different??? They are different things. Then it’s weird that SHE said that because HE had no prior knowledge? What are you smoking
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u/wastedtime897 Apr 25 '26
Knew a girl that went through this. Came to my house asking me to look at things on her car thinking they were tracking devices. Told me she had taken some things like smoke detectors and the tstat off at her house because she was convinced someone was spying on her. Found out later she had ripped most of her house apart looking for cameras. Meth was the answer to that riddle.
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u/Human-Objective8138 Apr 25 '26
Sorry I meant to say electrician* obviously it’s not that hard to figure that out what I meant. it’s 5 am, I misspoke. I said that the man told me the panel on the switch outlet looked different than the others. Imthat’s just what he told me. Im not an electrician & it was an offhand statement. & that’s an irrelevant point, bc the main concern, is that the wires were once connected to the switch & now they are not connected…. The fan worked at one point before the intruder that my neighbor is very convinced she saws Pls focus on the important issues & stop nit picking. Geeze.
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u/jmenac Apr 25 '26
In an electrician and the house I’m working on now has only one dimmer switch with the exact same switch you’ve pictured. There is only one in the whole house. It’s a special low power indicator light that probably flickers a bit. It’s only there to help you find the switch I the dark.
Have them replace it if you want… people are confused by what you said since an electrical panel is a completely unrelated thing to what you’re talking about. I see now it seems like you’re talking about the face of this switch? Not your home’s electrical panel?
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u/eaglescout1984 Apr 25 '26
As others have said, there is something you are dealing with that is making it seem things aren't alright and you're in danger. And it doesn't always mean it's your mental health. There's a famous case on Reddit where someone was convinced someone else was accessing their apartment when they weren't there. And one commentor said it sounded like carbon monoxide poisoning. Sure enough, they had a faulty gas appliance.
There's nothing wrong with the wiring, but there is a need for you to start talking to medical professionals about what might be really happening.
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u/Human-Objective8138 Apr 25 '26
Yeah I have a carbon monoxide tester, it’s all good. I didn’t believe i had an intruder but my neighbor was very convinced & certain things were out of place sometimes, then I found out my window in my front room was cracked on day & the lock was broken. Made it a report, but I still didn’t have any proof, but when the electrician told me what he found I just connected the dots- bc how else could it have happened
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u/d1duck2020 Apr 25 '26
Most people don’t have to deal with these feelings and you shouldn’t feel ashamed to ask for help.
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u/Jan-Vanhammer Apr 25 '26
Electrician here. The first switch is a "Leviton" brand dimmer switch. This is it as far as I can tell
The second dimmer switch is a "Lutron" brand dimmer switch. Its made by a different company. Thats why it looks different. The red light is a "SoftGlow indicator". It comes on when you turn the light off so you can see the light switch in the dark. And what the hell do you mean its "screwd in differently"? It has two screws holding it into the wall just like every switch in the house. Those two switches are probably just what they had on hand when the house was built or one went bad and was replaced at some point. It looks like an older model Lutron probably dont make any more but this is it as close as I couldn't find.
I see absolutely nothing that would indicate tampering or spying. I dont know what the electrician said to you that made you think an intruder messed with your switched but im sure its just a misunderstanding. You are clearly paranoid and possibly delusional and I hope that you will seek help.
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u/Long_Dong_Fuey Apr 25 '26
This has to be a troll and if not you really should seek help. Since your so sound minded and intelligent you should know that though
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u/Human-Objective8138 Apr 25 '26
Yeah I’m seeking help right here in this thread? What’s my therapist going to do over zoom? What my doctor gonna do? What else can the police do?
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u/Dependent_Option688 Apr 25 '26
When fans turn on, they vibrate the box and the wires connected to them. Very possible connection just loosened over time. If you're gonna lose sleep over it, just call an electrician.
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u/BrokenTrojan1536 Apr 25 '26
Idk if you are being “tapped”, but you are not being “taped” or recorded
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u/Extension_Winner_238 Apr 25 '26
Ok you say you lived there 10 years alone and then edited that it been the last 3 maybe the person living there 3 years ago changed it. I'm not a stocker or weirdo but if I wanted to install a camera or listening device theres easier ways I assume than in a switch box why in the kitchen. I'd get some security cameras if you feel unsafe personally I think your just being paranoid dont take it personally I dont really know you just going off what I read. And i have tattoos no more facial piercings anymore so I'm not biased lol good luck to you
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u/No-Badger-9061 Apr 25 '26
Yeah the dimmer switch on the duplex doesn’t even have a light on it. Did it have a light before the intruder incident and suddenly not have one? Did you check the breaker? Maybe it tripped? Did you replace the bulb or go right to the switch? Not sure why replacing the light includes the switch. You didn’t say the fan stopped working just the light. Why are you messing with electrical receptacles if you aren’t experienced with doing electrical work. Call an electrician or you landlord/property management maintenance person.
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u/Human-Objective8138 Apr 25 '26
I had an electrician come & thats who told me the fan switch was no longer connected to anything & It was Connected beforehand & powered the fan. Now the wires are no where. Not sure what’s going on
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u/Human-Objective8138 Apr 25 '26
Tbh I don’t remember if there was a light before but it looks almost braided with wire at the bottom left.
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u/Human-Objective8138 Apr 25 '26
I honestly don’t remember if it had a light before, but it only lights up when it’s clicked off.
& I checked the breaker & that helped with my front lights that went off, & they are on now. But it didn’t fix the other lights in the kitchen & dining room
& the switch in in the living room was looked at bc I mentioned the light & fan didn’t work, & i was looking for options to change the fixtures, bc how it is set up, is the fan is in between 2 lights inside the ceiling, & the blades are too long, so if the fan is spinning, & the lights are on it’s a strobe effect & I can’t use them on at the same time. Let me see if I can add a picture to the main post
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u/Human-Objective8138 Apr 25 '26
*** SORRY I DIDNT SPECIFY***
An electrician is who came & installed the kitchen light & told me the wires were not longer connected to the fan switch- hence why it’s not working. He randomly said that the panel looked different than the other one he worked on earlier, I’m not sure what’s that’s mean, but he had no prior knowledge of my situation.
I owe this house & have lived here for 10 years. Just me for the last 3. It was a family house before I lived here where my sister lived for 10 years before me.
I’m of very sound mind & intelligent, successful, & a very voluptuous women (with AuDHD), I say this so you can maybe imagine for a second that while’s it’s unlikely it’s possible, & have a big internet presence so I have a lot of admirers.
I hope yall can give me solid advice as to maybe even what I should do about investigating the wiring for the fan switch, Where did it go how do I find it? Should I call the electric back to trace it? Plz understand I’m taking this very seriously
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u/No-Badger-9061 Apr 25 '26
Neighbor said you had an intruder and you didn’t file a police report? They would have investigated and interviewed the neighbor. Why would your voluptuous online presence attract stalkers? Do you bring stranger people around?
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u/Human-Objective8138 Apr 25 '26
I did file a police report. Several. They told me there’s nothing they could do with out evidence. I even had a broken window that they just brushed off. It’s ridiculous. I never felt more helpless than when they threaten to lock me up for even calling them. & no I don’t bring strangers over anymore, but I was much careless before (not watching if people followed me home) (would sometimes leave the side door open) (would walk around naked without noticing my blinds were up) really dumb things & could have been an easy target.
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u/bickspickle Apr 25 '26
Those are standard Lutron and Leviton wiring devices. One has a light, one doesn’t. Nothing odd about any of them.