Under what circumstances would a person's phone be bugged?

[Deja Q]

A really stupid question; a coworker thinks his phone lines are being bugged and that they are out to get him fired.

Having listened to other people, I think there's a little bit of paranoia going on.

What say you?

[AirmensMom]

1. I'd say it's possible.

I knew someone who was fired b/c he made phone calls to a coworker that were suggestive. They had a tape for evidence. :shrug:

[Deja Q]

3. Ah. That would make sense.

I'm being "compelled" to join in something I'm just not sure is accurate - to me, anyway.

I've kept an open mind through it all and, so far, it's best I stay out of it. Apart from being an ear open on both sides because it's a hell of a lot more fun than watching scripted rubbish on the television set.

[cssmall]

2. Is it home phone lines?

If so, then only the government has the right to go in there. However, if it's work, then they can do whatever they want.

[Deja Q]

4. It's home phone lines, but it's about his workplace.

The usual mudslinging stuff. He's about to get fired, evil management, double standards, rule breaking, and so on.

Quite honestly, I don't know what to think - but, again, it's better than watching tv.

[cssmall]

5. They can do whatever they want at work.

At home, I believe he's just being paranoid.

[Deja Q]

6. As I suspected.

I think the person, if he's got a case, should just quit and get a lawyer. Better on the nervous system that way, I suppose.

[AirmensMom]

8. Oh, well if it's his home phone,

he's probably being paranoid ... unless he's done something illegal.

[Deja Q]

10. Nothing I'd been told.

Which would make sense. He has shown obvious signs of paranoia; far moreso than anything loopy I could even conjur up. So maybe there's something else going on. I don't know and I don't care. OTOH maybe there isn't. It's totally goofy, however.

While there may be some truth in his side of the story, I've heard the other side AND some commentary that suggests my friend wants to drag me down as well.

So, obviously, I'm remaining impartial.

[AirmensMom]

12. There might be something you don't know about.

He sounds paranoid but I'm willing to entertain the idea that he's left something out of his story. People thought I was paranoid when I thought I was being watched. Turns out that my LTD insurance co. hired a PI to film me in my own yard. I never did anything remotely illegal and my claim is legitimate. It was totally creepy when I found out.

[Deja Q]

13. Fascinating. But logical.

[Jara sang]

7. What a coincidence.

I was looking on amazon for books about this as I read this post. Here is what I found:

Bug Book: Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Electronic Eavesdropping ... But Were Afraid to Ask

[skygazer]

9. His home line wouldn't be bugged in regards to work

Unless there was suspicion of a crime being committed. Sounds unlikely though - the cops or the feds don't go around tapping phones to help companies get rid of unwanteed employees.

Now if he's dealing dope or hatching terrorist plots or belongs to an anti-war group or prints anti-Bush fliers in his basement or sports a Democratic Underground sticker on his car, I wouldn't be surprised in the least. ;)

[Deja Q]

11. Wow.

Fortunately, none of what you said sounds like the issue. Just an employment tussle and accusations vs counteraccusations of unreasonable performance. And definitely paranoid to levels even I couldn't ever get to.

And trying to get me involved, possibly because lawyer fees are so astronomical. I do not know.