How to Hire a Private Investigator

So something has happened and generally it wasn't a good thing. You think that you need to hire a private investigator.  You google, check the yellow pages and have even seen an ad or two on Craigs List but how do you know if the Private Investigator that you are about to hire is legitimate?  In California, Private Investigators are tested and licensed by the State.  California Department of Consumer Affairs, Bureau of Security and Investigative Services (BSIS) is the governing body that administers the Private Investigations Industry.  So once you locate a potential Private Investigator, you should verify that he or she has a P.I. License that is issued by the State and that that license is in good standing.  In California, you can go to:

http://www2.dca.ca.gov/pls/wllpub/wllqryna$lcev2.startup?p_qte_code=PI&p_qte_pgm_code=2420

and type in either the Private Investigator business name, in my case, American Fraud Institute or his or her P.I. Number.  Again in my case that would be 18774.  You will also see that there is a link to search by owner / qualified manager or principle's name. 

Once you enter your search information, you will see the results returned.  In reviewing that page, you will note that it says the license is valid or in good standing, that it is delinquent, suspended or revoked or potentially that it doesn't exist.  If there is a history of disciplinary action against the investigator, there will be a clickable link to the information on file with the Bureau.

If your potential private investigator is indeed licensed and that license is current, in good standing with no history of disciplinary actions, you can now move on to the next step in the process and determine whether or not the investigator has expertise that matches you particular needs.  If your issue is with regards to collecting back child support from a dead beat prior spouse, hiring someone who only does Death Penalty Defense matters does not seem prudent and vice versa of course.  Follow up by asking for references.  If they work product was good, one of their former clients will gladly discuss their results if not the atual details of their matter.

Does the investigator use sub-contractors and if so, are they themselves licensed?  These are important questions because there has been a growing trend for some to hire unlicensed sub-contractors do the tasks that you are paying a premium rate to have a licensed investigator complete.  You should be informed in advance if your potential private investigator is contemplating using a sub-contractor or whether or not he or she will actually be doing the work personally.  Don't confuse an actual employee who works for your P.I. on a full or part time basis, who ison the payroll and who is being supervised for an unlicensed sub-contractor.  Employee's are the responsibility of the employer and so is their work product.  You should be told in advance whether or not the P.I. is going to use an employee and if so, will you pay a lower rate for their hourly billing?

This information represents only the tip of the iceberg.  If you would like more details, feel free to contact me directly at:  (866) 866-2268 or director@AmericanFraudInstitute.org. 

M. Allen Garrison
Director
American Fraud Institute
65 Pine Avenue, Suite 372
Long Beach, CA 90802
Tel:  (866) 866-2268
Fax: (877) 514-2467
e-mail:  director@AmericanFraudInstitute.org
http://www.americanfraudinstitute.org/

CA. P.I. License Number 18774