Why a Professional PI Might Be the Smarter Option

In the age of the internet and the DIY spirit, it can be easy to get tangled into a debate whether to hire a professional private investigator (PI) for a business, personal, or legal matter or just handle things yourself. Perhaps you have seen web content of amateur sleuths and are jonesing the thrill of playing Nancy Drew yourself, or it could be that you've heard recounts of negative experiences working with PIs and are just iffy about what to do. 

Either way, it's easy to get lost in the jungle of facts and opinions, so we will set things straight so you can determine whether a PI makes the most sense in your situation and why you should hire Martin PI experts.

What's A Private Investigator

A Private investigator is someone, specifically a professional, who provides services for information gathering for leverage or security purposes in various situations. They employ many different kinds of tools and methods in a wide variety of investigations – from complex online research to multi-day surveillance and bug sweeps for private individuals, businesses, or law firms. 

We are talking about surveillance, witness interrogations, public record searches, and social media deep dive. PIs help in matters related to infidelity, missing persons, background checks, hidden assets, stalking, spying, fraud, and even criminal investigations. They get people the information they need to win a court case, enforce a court judgment, reunite with a long-lost person, determine how to hire the right person, etc.

Is It Worth It To Hire A PI?

Yes, but it depends on your situation. You may be familiar with the basics of the private investigation process, but you may not know that PIs have to follow the law in their line of work. PIs are not allowed to trespass or break into private property to dig for clues. Most of the time, when we surveil individuals, we record their activities in public spaces, as this is not illegal as long as we do not threaten or infringe on their rights. 

We also can't burst criminals even if they are in the act of the crime- -unless it's a citizen's arrest. Simply put, we don't have any more powers than regular citizens when it comes to the law. 

That being said, some aspects of investigations may require special access to databases and tools not available to the general public. These databases consist of public records of texts of real estate transactions, birth records, death records, court records, and much other information that a regular person may not have access to. Apart from that, we know the legal boundaries within which to gather information, so it's admissible in court or helpful for case resolutions. 

Moreover, we have connections and tools that may not be available to a regular person. We are discussing ties to various law enforcement services, access to specialized, subscription-based databases, digital forensics tools, DNA and fingerprint analysis kits, surveillance drones, covert cameras, etc. 

These resources, combined with our qualification license and affiliation with trustworthy institutions, should give you the peace of mind that you are not dealing with an amateur and that we can get you the information you need. 

In What Situations Are PIs Worth It?

Child Custody Cases

Say, for example, that you are in a child custody battle, and you suspect that your ex or their new partner is not the best person to be around your kids. It could be that they have a violent temper or are involved in drugs or criminal activities.

In such a case, hiring a PI to record the person's behavior, especially anything illegal or inappropriate is worth it for your case. 

Suspicious Partners

Most divorce courts still consider adultery when awarding alimony, so having information about your ex's affairs may reduce your alimony exposure or help you win a much bigger award in a court case.

Business Deals And Partnerships

Before shaking hands on a business deal, it may be worth hiring a PI to conduct a thorough check on your potential business partner so you don't sign a bad deal.

Missing Person Searches

A missing person search service encompasses a large bracket of missing person cases. You may want to track down a long-lost partner or a missing relative who you've not seen in years. 

Missing Inventory

We are talking about missing stock at work or missing property at home. Either way, hiring an investigator can be worth it to get to the bottom of the matter and stop further stock bleeding.

Hidden Assets

This type of asset theft is often seen in divorce, business partnerships, money lending arrangements, etc. In such cases, your lawyer may not be willing to subpoena the subject's bank or investment records if they are not sure that the person is keeping the assets there. 

But while lawyers can't do fishing expeditions, we have a lot of room to operate and can help you get the evidence you need to win your court case and avoid financial struggles because someone stole your money.

Background Checks

This can fall under a large bracket of background checks. You may want to find out who someone is before hiring them, or you could be a family member or friend concerned about the person your child or friend is dating or the person who is suddenly claiming to be a long-lost relative. 

Bug Sweep Services

If you have concerns about being eavesdropped on, it can be worth it to have PI sweep your place and determine whether you are being bugged. It could be your home, car, or place of business.

What Are The Risks Of A PI?

We've talked about the merits of PIs and some situations where they'd be much of help, so it's only fair to mention the risks that come with such arrangements. Hiring a PI is like getting into a relationship, which means there's potential for your trust to be broken. 

We are talking about dishonest PIs who provide totally made-up details, break the law, and violate the subject's security, leading to information being inadmissible. Some PIs may never give you any worthwhile information or care for your property during bug sweeps, causing you an ugly financial loss.

Ultimately, it all depends on who you choose to work with. Always do your homework on the services and reputation of a PI to avoid being taken for a ride. 

At Martin PI, our investigators are former federal officials with experience in various branches of law enforcement who conduct investigations thoroughly and cautiously to get you actionable information without jeopardizing your case. We are friendly and approachable and genuinely care about your best interest. 

How much do Martin Investigative Solutions Cost? 

We provide many different investigative solutions, so here's a quick breakdown. 

Basic Background/Asset Search

• $1,500.00 + $45.00 for FedEx (Total: $1,545.00). Expect a turnaround time of 24 hours or less. We'll forward reports to the address you specify.

Financial Institution Account Search

Statewide or nationwide investigations of individuals' bank, savings, and other checking account activities. 

• Statewide Search: $4,800.00
• Nationwide Search: $7,500.00

Brokerage Account Search

We'll search for hidden assets disguised as bonds, stocks, mutual funds, and other financial assets. 

• Statewide Search: $4,800.00
• Nationwide Search: $7,500.00

Expect a turnaround time of 5-8 working days. The results will be sent to your email or whatever address you specify.

Bug Sweeps

Bug sweep services for vehicles, homes, and places of work to identify and eliminate recording and eavesdropping setups. 

• Sweep Of A Residence Under 2,000 SQ. FT. $3,975.00
• Sweep Of A Home Over 2,000 SQ. FT. Is $1.85/SQ. FT.
• Sweep Of A Business Is $2.35/SQ. FT.
  Vehicle Sweeps: $1,975.00

Conclusion

A PI may be worth it, depending on your situation. However, it may not be cheap. This is a professional service; you want to hire the best and minimize your risk exposure. Contact us here at Martin Investigative Services to speak with an experienced and reputable PI. 

We offer free consultation and have a 100 % money back guarantee on our services. We are available anytime and will be happy to talk to you and answer any questions. Call today at 800-577-1080.

Martin Investigative Services

Martin Investigative Services office is located at 620 Newport Center Dr Suite 1100, Newport Beach, CA 92660 

Open: 24/7

Phone: (800) 577-1080