FAQs
- What advice would you give a customer looking to hire a provider in your area of work?
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.
- What questions should customers think through before talking to professionals about their project?
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.