Private Investigator & Certified Process Server

Q. What advice do you have for a customer looking to hire a provider like you?

A. In Florida, a licensed private investigator must own or be employed by a Class “A” licensed private investigative agency and may only engage in investigative services through a licensed agency. So, the first thing you want to do is verify the licenses of both the agency and the investigator. Although many states differ in their licensing requirements, you can check with the Division of Licensing in the state in which the investigation agency operates to confirm that they are licensed. Here in Florida, private investigators are regulated through the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Division of Licensing. Check to see if there have been any complaints filed or if the state has taken any disciplinary action against the private investigator or agency. In Florida, these records are available to the public under the Florida Sunshine Law.

Next, verify that the agency is insured. While there is no requirement that a private investigation agency in the state of Florida be insured, a firm that is responsibly managed will be.

Q. If you were a customer, what do you wish you knew about your trade? Any inside secrets to share?

A. Avoid hiring an investigator who claims he has never “lost” a subject during surveillance. No investigator likes to lose their subject, but even the most experienced investigators lose their subject occasionally. Weather conditions, traffic flow and traffic lights are some examples of things that an investigator can not control while following a subject. Following a subject can be dangerous to both the investigator and the public. A professional investigator will not put anyone’s safety at risk.

And finally, stay clear of an investigator who guarantees he can get you anything you want. Some information is considered private and can not legally be obtained. A reputable agency understands trespassing and privacy laws, is fully and legally compliant with the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act (GLB) and all other local, state and federal laws and will never engage in conduct that is illegal or considered improper.

Q. What questions should a consumer ask to hire the right service professional?

A. Inquire about experience and qualifications. Be sure to ask specifically about the investigator that will be working your case and how much experience they have. Be clear about what your objectives are and the evidence that you are looking for. If the agency does not offer the precise service that you need, ask for a referral to an agency that can help you.

Most agencies will require you to sign a Contract and Retainer Agreement. If they don’t, you should insist upon it. It is for your protection as well as theirs. At a minimum, the contract should include the specific service and purpose that you are retaining the agency for, the retainer amount paid, the hourly rate (or flat rate if applicable) charged, any expenses which are deemed necessary to carry out the investigation that you will be responsible for in addition to the hourly rate, the agreed upon rate for any court appearances or depositions, administrative costs and any refund policy, If there is something in the contract you don’t understand, ask for clarification.

Q. What important information should buyers have thought through before seeking you out?

A. If you are hiring a private investigator for a surveillance assignment you should have the following information available: A photo and/or a physical description of the subject, home/work addresses, work schedule, vehicle information, driving habits, any third party information (if suspected), places they like to frequent, times they are most likely to be active and any other information that you feel might be helpful to the investigation.
Keeping a log of the subject's comings and goings for a few weeks prior to the intiation of surveillance will help you determine the times that they are most likely to be active, and allow the investigator to make the most efficient use of the money you have budgeted for the investigation.

If you are hiring a private investigator to find someone, the more information you have about them, the less costly it will be for you. Ideally, you should have the subject’s full name, date of birth, social security number and a last known address in the last two years. At a minimum you should have the subject’s name and one of the other identifying pieces of information.

Q. Why does your work stand out from others who do what you do?

A. Our work stands out because of our commitment to excellence. Our company's foundation is built upon the belief that our client's needs are critical. We genuinely appreciate and deeply respect the confidence and trust that they place in us when retaining our services. From the private individual to the largest corporation, we are dedicated to building strong client relationships by providing our clients with excellence.

We guarantee to respect the individual needs of each client; to communicate clearly and proactively with them; to work diligently on their behalf in the most efficient and effective manner possible; to conduct each investigation with professionalism, discretion and confidentiality; to provide a complete and thorough investigation; and to provide excellence throughout from the receipt of the initial assignment to the conclusion of the investigation

Q. What do you like most about your job?

A. We truly have a passion for the work we do in helping people. We recognize that our clients are real people with real problems needing real solutions - they are NEVER just another case to us. People call us because they have a need for answers. We are happy to be able to help them obtain those answers they need in order to make informed decisions that affect their lives, their families and their businesses.

Q. What do you wish customers knew about you or your profession?

A. Private investigation in the real world is much different that what is portrayed on television and in the movies. Private investigators must follow the law and always act in a legal manner or they risk losing their licenses and their livelihood.