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The first time:
If you are searching for a
Private investigator, chances are that this is your first time seeking
out this type of service or you are simply looking for a better service.
Let's face it, it is not very common to hire a PI and it probably makes
you a little nervous. Whether you are involved in a domestic issue
or company matter, it is usually a turbulent and trying time in
your life right now and you want accurate resolution and swift judgment
on your sensitive matter. Make sure you hire the right person for
the job!
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Make sure they have a license!
The vast majority of states require that anyone engaging the practice of
investigations be licensed. A Private investigator should be able to
produce a copy of such a license immediately for you. Note: there are
many companies offering services on the internet which do not qualify as
“investigations” but really should be. These companies are completely
unregulated and what they give you is whatever they want. Most of these
companies are “information brokers” who have access to databases of
public records, like telephone numbers, address directories, voters
registration filings, etc. These companies offer “background checks”
that are nothing more than database searches of old public records. That
may be enough to get you what you need, but if you need to be sure that
the information is accurate, contact a licensed private investigator.
Please be sure that you understand who and what you are dealing with and
what they are going to give you, before you hire anyone working in this
sector.
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Do you need to meet with the P.I.?
No, not unless you want to. Much of what we do can be done quickly and
with a minimal amount of inconvenience and the formality of a meeting is
usually not necessary.
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Always get a contract.
Like any other service, you should get a contract that indicates what
you are hiring the P.I. for and what you will get in return. If they
cannot or will not present you with a contract, hang up the phone.
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Experience.
Some private investigators have little or no investigative background.
There are those who have retired from a law enforcement or military
career and decide that being a “private investigator” would be action
packed and exciting. They enroll in some Private Detective school and
after two months, they become a P.I. Does that mean that they are
qualified to investigate your case? Not necessarily! It is important
that you know the qualifications and experience of the investigator that
will be working on your case. In our opinion, the more experienced the
investigator, the greater the likelihood that your desired results will
be achieved. You don’t want a 19 year old kid with a video camera
conducting surveillance for you. It is also our opinion that you need
someone who does this type of surveillance regularly. They do not need
to be former FBI agents, secret service or ninjas. They should be
experienced surveillance experts.
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Licensed and Bonded.
Being bonded is almost always a requirement to get a PI license. If you
see a PI advertising that they are “bonded” that does not mean that they
are a better investigator or that they offer you some special protection
or status.
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Are they insured?
Keep in mind that the private investigator who you hire is working for
you, as your agent. If he or she is working on your case and they damage
someone’s property, get in a car accident, presents false information,
etc., etc., etc., they should have ample insurance to cover any loses
that arise. If they don’t, you, the one who hired them, are exposed. It
is just good common sense to check for insurance coverage before you
hire a PI. At SSL, we carry two million dollars in liability coverage to
protect our clients. It should be no problem for a reputable
investigator to present a certificate of insurance coverage for you to
review and verify.
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You get what you pay for.
Nothing further needed.
John C. Frycek
John C. Frycek, LPD, PPS, CIS
Director of Operations
There are fine Cigars and cheap
Cigars, but there are
no fine cheap Cigars....Winston
Churchill |
SPECIAL
SOLUTIONS, LTD.
1508 Miner Street
Des Plaines, Illinois 60016
(847) 803-6922 Fax: (847) 803-9022
www.specialsol.com
E-mail:
info@specialsol.com
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