2. When you try to hire a private investigator there are many factors
you need to look at before you make the decision.
• Factor 1: Licensed
This may seem like a no-brainer, but there are people out there who
pretends to be a private investigator. Most likely if they do not have a
license, then they do not have the experience to back up their claims.
Some states require at least 3 years experience in law or a similar field.
Only four states do no require a license. Alaska, Mississippi, Wyoming
and South Dakota all do not require a license. Some cities in Alaska do,
but it is not mandatory everywhere.
So if you are not in one of those four states, try to double check and
make sure the private investigator is licensed.
3. • Factor 2: They Will Not Promise You The Results You Are
Hoping For
• Many people hire a PI to get the answer they want to hear. For
example if someone is suspected of committing Workman’s
Compensation fraud and they are found to be actually injured, even
though that isn’t the answer you wanted to hear, it was the truth you
were seeking.
4. • Factor 3: Experienced
• A private investigator with experience is a huge plus for any
person needing top results. Without experience in the field, it
would be extremely difficult to know the steps to get the results
desired.
• Some private investigators may have only done cheating
spouse investigations. You wouldn’t want to hire a PI with only
experience cheating spouses to perform an asset investigation
for you. They just do not have the expertise in that area to get
you the best results possible. That would be like hiring a
divorce attorney to represent you in court on criminal charges.
That would be a very risky move.
5. • Factor 4: No Criminal Record
• This may surprise you, but there are private investigators with criminal
records and even felonies. A woman in Alabama spent $20,000 on a
private investigator to find out he was in jail for burglary for six of the
eight months she was paying him. The guy didn’t even have a valid
drivers license and his girlfriend was the one who was picking up the
money.
• This is a nightmare story, but there are others out there that are bad
as well. If you are going to court and the private investigator has to
testify, the lawyer will discredit him/her and they will not be worth a
whole lot in court.
6. • Factor 5: Straight Forward About Fees
• There are stories of individuals or businesses hiring a private
investigator and had to dish out way more than they were told or
expected. The retainer isn’t 100% of your fee, but not all private
investigators tell you that.
• Good private investigators will tell you exactly what you will pay now
and what you will pay later. They will not surprise you just to get you
to sign the dotted line.
7. • Factor 6: Has An Office
• If a PI is trying to meet you at a restaurant or a park they most likely
do not have an office. Before paying make sure you pay at the office.
Even if it is a home office that will give you a way to track down the PI.
If you meet them in a restaurant or a public place how do you expect
to keep in touch with the investigator.
• It also shows professionalism to have a place of business. You know
they take their business seriously if they have a workplace you can
meet up with them.
8. • Factor 7: The Private Investigator Connects With You
• If the private investigator seems shady, then he most likely is. You
want to work with a private investigator you feel very comfortable with.
A good private investigator will do what they can to make you
comfortable and make sure you are confident in them to get the job
done right.
9. Things To Consider
• When you want to hire a private investigator you need to look at it like
you’re finding a doctor. You want to find a doctor who is licensed, has
experience, and has the proper training to get the job done right. If the
doctor is shady and makes you feel uncomfortable you probably will
not use that doctor again.
• Knowing that the doctor doesn’t have any legal issues and does
everything by the book will make you more comfortable with their
work.
• You’re not going to hire a shoulder specialists to do neurosurgery on
you. You want someone who specializes in the job you need to be
completed.