Who said you have to buy an expensive car alarm in order to help protect your car? Certainly not us. Follow these easy steps to create your own cell phone surveillance system.

Step 1. Find a good GSM mobile phone, can be used or new either one. You just need to look for a phone that has both auto answer and mute. You also need to make sure the microphone works. Another feature that is nice is an external antenna simply because the range is a bit better.

Step 2. Store in a safe place the IMEI or International Mobile Equipment Identification number of the phone. You can access this yourself by dialing *#06# from the phone itself. In addition, you can also usually find it under the battery.

Step 3. Choose a good cell phone carrier that will work well with your phone that you purchased. Find the cheapest contract you possibly can to use with the phone. Remember you are creating a cell phone surveillance system, not a phone you will be using constantly so the cheapest plan will do.

Step 4. Activate the phone for the new service you have signed up for. Check all features of the phone to ensure it works and adjust all settings as necessary to ensure that it has roaming and that you are able to make and receive calls without problems.

Step 5. Turn on the Automatic Network Search function. You may need to consult the user manual of the phone, or even customer service for assistance.

Step 6. Turn off all sounds, and lights on the phone. This includes the ringer, earpiece volume, screen lights, keypad lights, and keypad sounds. You want the phone as dark and quiet as possible.

Step 7. Turn the phone’s auto answer feature on. Check this to ensure it is working properly, the phone should automatically answer when it is called.

Step 8. Purchase a car charger for the phone and mount it under the dashboard and run the wires to your battery. The purpose of the cell phone surveillance is not as effective if the charger can lead someone directly to the phone.

Step 9. Turn on the Personal Identification Number or PIN feature of the phone.

Step 10. Using key guard or other similar feature, lock the keypad to avoid accidental phone calls, and keep someone else from using the phone.

Step 11. Carefully mount the phone behind the dash or anywhere else where it can be securely hidden. Remember, you do not want it visible and you do not want any wires seen for it.

Step 12. Carefully connect the phone to the charger and attach to make sure they stay connected. Once this step is done, it is wise to occasionally check to ensure that the charger is still connected properly.

Step 13. Write down the mobile phone number and keep it only for yourself, never give out the phone number to anyone. Remember, the phone is mounted to the dashboard and is not available to be used for actual phone calls.

Step 14. Check all of the settings on the phone by calling it several times. Look for the lights on the phone and listen for any sounds that it could be making. You want to ensure it is as quiet as possible. In addition, check to see how well you can hear conversations over the microphone on the phone.

Step 15. Test the system occasionally to ensure it is still working properly. Once it is set up if your car is stolen, you can give the police your mobile number and network and all of the information about your car. This will allow them to track down your car to ensure that it is returned to you as quickly as possible.