NEWS & EVENTS

What questions should I ask a private investigator to identify a good one? 1.) What is their license number and the state issuing it? How long have they been licensed? Call the state bureau overseeing private investigators to confirm the license is valid and that no disciplinary actions are on record. 2.) Do they have…

Where can I hire a private investigator online in the US? The days of looking in the Yellow Pages for a private investigator have long passed. However, referrals can still work as long as they are not from unreliable sources. Hiring a PI online is easy and straightforward, but some cautionary guidelines exist. Use the…

How do private investigators get clients, and if they don’t, how do they make a living if business is slow? The best advice from someone who has been in the business for 50 years is that the PI business is very cyclical, with massive peaks and even larger valleys. The “old school” admonishment is to…

What methods do background check investigators use to gather information about individuals they are investigating for others? Fortunately, we don’t have to use the Internet, as many PIs do nationwide. They charge for what you can access for free. In 1982, we started our in-house computer system called US UNITE. Through this system, we access…

What is the average cost for a private investigator to use GPS tracking devices on vehicles? Vehicle tracking is not a service we provide, as GPS tracking is illegal in the following scenarios:1.) We can not track a vehicle without the owner’s consent nor when a spouse wants their mate to be tracked.2.) Without a…

What are some common mistakes made by individuals who conduct their own background checks? Don’t be misled by information brokers or PIs who advise that “their way is the only way.” There are many useful online tools for doing a background check. The question is, “Are you getting incomplete or inaccurate results?” Your searches will…

How can I find an experienced, professional, and affordable private investigator for surveillance work in Toronto or the surrounding area? If you live in Toronto, the process will be a lot easier than if you are in the U.S. or another country. Either way, some of the tips below will apply to either scenario. For…

What are the requirements to become a private investigator? What kind of training and education are needed? How does one go about getting started in this career field? This is a simple, straightforward process based on the state in which you reside. Each state has a department/bureau that handles the licensing process. Please note that…

Is it common for private investigators to collaborate with others from different states during investigations? We have been a full-service investigative agency for 43 years and have cases in all 50 states. To answer your question directly, it is very common for top-echelon private investigators to collaborate with associates from different states. Here is a…

How do you choose a reliable private investigator for investigating disinformation? Disinformation is a broad term with a variety of meanings for people. With 43 years of experience, here are the different types our agency has encountered: 1.) Personal slander or defamation. 2.) Online smear campaigns. 3.) Corporate Sabatoge. Candidly, this is not a matter…

Do insurance companies use private investigators? Probably not if you are in the top echelon of the private investigative industry, meaning the top 10% in the U.S. Why? Insurance companies pay the least amount of money and do so because there are hundreds of PIs who are struggling and need their work. This is a…

Can someone hire a private investigator to follow another person in today’s society? If so, what measures can be taken to prevent this from happening? Yes, every day in this country, hundreds of private investigators are retained to follow subjects for various legal issues. We do not know how to prevent someone from hiring a…

What are some notable discoveries made by private investigators or detectives? History shows that private investigators (the term detectives is usually associated with the law enforcement community, not PIs) have made some significant discoveries over the past many decades. Here is a list you can research without our comment other than a bit of history…

What questions do background investigators ask? First, this depends on the investigator’s level of experience in the art of “interview and interrogation.” Second, the purpose of the investigation will dictate the range of questions asked. These are generally the areas of inquiry you should be ready to address: 1.) Personal Information 2.) Address History 3.)…

What types of people do private investigators typically meet with and investigate on behalf of their clients? This answer could be a chapter in a book. For clarity, let’s define the type of cases in which the top ten percent of PIs work within the industry and then directly answer your question above. Four areas…

How to Spot the Signs of a Private Investigator Following You Do you have a creeping suspicion that someone has put a private investigator on your trail? Well, perhaps you are not paranoid after all. Private investigators or PIs do discreet surveillance, but even so, they may give themselves away.  It might be a personal,…

How Private Investigators Conduct an Address Search An address search provides Private Investigators with significant data about the address history of their subject of inquiry. This technique involves using investigative research software in cases like asset investigation, surveillance, criminal investigations, background searches, and process service investigations.  A subject’s address is a crucial component of their…

The Role of Social Media in Locating Missing Persons The disappearance of an individual casts a long shadow over families and communities, invoking a profound sense of urgency and the need for swift action. In such critical times, the specialized skills of a missing person investigator become crucial.  Here, we explore the intricate world of…