NEWS & EVENTS

How do I hire a real and legit private investigator?1.) Are they licensed? What is the license number and issuing State?2.) Call and confirm with the state agency that the licensee is in good standing and has not been disciplined.3.) Do they have an office? Having an office doesn’t make you a good investigator, but…

How do I hire a private investigator online?1.) Define your needs and goals. Some investigators offer full-service services, while others specialize in one area of investigation. Determine which one is the best fit.2.) Verify their license and credentials.3.) Evaluate their online presence.4.) What is their fee structure?5.) If investigators are limited in your area, you…

What is the average cost of surveillance services provided by private investigators in Los Angeles, California, USA?The cost is directly related to the private investigator’s level of experience and expertise. All rates should be publicized on their website and NOT related to the case’s complexity. Some investigators try to increase rates for marital surveillance versus…

Is it possible for an individual to hire a private investigator to find someone’s location? How does the process of hiring a private investigator work? Most private investigators simply use the Internet to locate subjects, which means they are “fishing” in a small pond. A small club of PIs uses its own in-house computer system…

Does someone need to be officially certified as a “”private detective”” or “”private investigator”” by law enforcement in order to call themselves one?The law enforcement community is not involved in designating the title of a person who has secured a private investigative license. All the Investigative Service Agencies issuing licenses do so with the words…

How can someone with no experience in being a private investigator get hired by one?The truthful answer from someone who has been in the business for 50 years is that making the Olympic hockey team might be easier. We are not being negative or dissuading you from trying. The stark reality is that no established…

What does it mean when a job application says references will be checked?Don’t be fooled by an application that says your reference will be checked. This will probably not occur if the agency or the assigned private investigator is in the top echelon of their industry.Here is what happens. Everyone knows the three references you…

What are the reasons for private investigators refusing service based on the nature of the investigation? Over the past 43 years, we have declined to represent or perform services for corporations, insurance companies, attorneys and the public. The first one below may surprise you.1.) The mental health of the client makes it prohibitive to engage…

What methods do private investigators use to determine who to investigate?For the past 43 years, we haven’t decided who to investigate, as that is almost always the client’s decision. Granted, a PI may accept or decline a case based on several factors, but the initial matter is brought by a client, corporation, insurance company, or…

How do private investigators typically acquire clients? Do they primarily receive clients through law firms or other sources, or do they actively advertise and wait for potential clients to reach out to them?Before you ask how PIs acquire clients, they need to know the four main pillars of our industry:1.) Attorneys2.) Insurance Companies3.) Corporations4.) The…

Does contacting a private investigator about someone’s whereabouts indicate that there is evidence against them? No. There are many reasons we have been retained over the past 43 years to locate subjects. Here are a few: 1.) Subjects who are voluntarily missing. 2.) Subjects who are accidentally missing. 3.) Subjects who are involuntarily missing/foul play.…

Is a private investigator license required for working at a PI firm or only for owning one? What if someone does investigations for others without using their own business name?Let’s take the questions in order:1.) First, you must check with the state bureau that licenses private investigators in your area. Many states allow individuals to…

What impact will this investigation have on KCBS 740 AM’s operations in the future?We will answer this question based on our experience as former federal agents with the U.S. Department of Justice, not as an active private investigator. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) initiated an investigation into KCBS 740 AM. The station allegedly broadcasts the…

What methods do private investigators use to gather background information on people who are not willing to pay for their services? If we understand your question, it would be a simple: “Wishing you a great day and the best of luck!”BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION SERVICES Thorough Background Searches and Investigation Get a comprehensive background investigation completed today! …

Is registration required to work for a private investigation firm or can one start their own business without registering it?Requirements for working or starting a private investigative firm depends on the state where you plan to operate. Check with your state’s Bureau of Security and Investigative Services (or similar name).Most states require a license to…

How do private investigators gather evidence during their investigations? Is it possible to obtain footage from a private investigator’s investigation?For the past 43 years, we have used various methods to gather evidence. Here are just a few:1.) Accessing our in-house computer system for asset searches and background investigations.2.) Using other highly proprietary data-based indexes for…

What resources are available for learning about open source intelligence gathering techniques for finding information online about people, places, or events?In the interest of brevity and assisting other readers, you are asking about OSINT or Open Source Intelligence. This is one of the hot topics for 2025. We admire those who want to tackle this…

What is the payment structure for surveillance investigators?Expect to pay, for the top echelon private investigator who performs this service, between $100.00 to $150.00 per hour. In 2025, most are at the $150.00 fee. There is generally a minimum fee to go out, most of which are at the four-hour mark. Except to pay mileage…