Can I hire a private investigator in Dallas Texas?

Service of Process, A True P.I

If you’ve never had to hire a private investigator, you might not realize what they can and can’t do. PIs need to have a license to operate. Most states require a criminal justice degree, a law enforcement background, or an apprenticeship under a licensed investigator.

Regardless of qualifications, there is usually also a test to establish their understanding of the legal aspects of their job. Contrary to their image in movies and novels as outsiders who act on their own accord, actual private investigators provide a range of legal and investigative services for individuals and businesses.

What Do Private Investigators Do?

It’s common knowledge that private investigators are often hired to gather evidence in legal disputes, but these professionals can do so much more. Here’s a list of the most popular reasons that businesses and individuals hire a private investigator.

Surveillance and Counter-Surveillance:

Whether it’s tracking down a cheating spouse, finding a stalker, or just finding out whether someone has eyes on you, a private investigator can provide you with accurate intelligence and the professional testimony to contextualize it in court.

Background Checks and Due Diligence:

Whether you’re screening someone you met online before meeting in person or checking out job candidates for sensitive positions within your organization, proper background checks take access to professional investigative resources.

Forensic Document Investigation:

Document investigation using modern forensic methods can help unearth proof of doctoring and other evidence of fraud.

General Fraud Investigations:

Fake or altered documents aren’t the only kind of fraud PIs can detect. They also uncover the workings of larger fraud and confidence schemes to aid victims or legal professionals.

Landlord-Tenant Disputes:

Investigators are often hired by one side or the other in disputes between renters and landlords. For landlords, property usage and whether tenants abide by agreements can be the key to an eviction. For tenants, an investigation can uncover past violations and ongoing landlord issues that support the lawsuit or other civil remedy.

This is just a cross-section of services, which vary if the client is an individual or a business. Laws governing corporate background checks and employment screenings allow them, under some conditions, to request information not available to private individuals who request background checks or to companies who are conducting them for reasons other than pre-employment screening.

If you’re wondering whether a private investigator can help you, chances are the answer is yes, even if you need some help figuring out exactly what that investigator should do to gather evidence for you.

Expertise and Independence

The biggest reason why people hire an investigator is to gain access to the intellectual and professional capacities of someone who understands the process of uncovering evidence. It’s a highly unique skill set that is difficult to develop. The methods used are usually very dependent on the situation. Many times the client request is for evidence about an issue. Then the investigator devises the exact range of services, who explains their necessity and obtains client approval for the expenses.

This means clear communication is key when you are hiring an investigator, and it’s an important part of the job. If you are looking to hire a private investigator in Dallas, TexasA True PI  offers a range of services and can help you navigate the legal system when you need to resolve a dispute.

Online Dating Are You Being Catfished in Dallas?

Meeting people online today is as normal as waking up in the morning. Many relationships start on the internet and the old days of meeting through mutual friends are much less common. While online dating can be exciting, it’s also important you keep yourself safe from catfishing. Being catfished means you are being tricked into a relationship by someone who isn’t actually the person they say they are. The following are some signs of being catfished and what you should do about it. We at A True PI are here for all of your needs to protect you and find the truth.

  1. The Other Person Never Does a Video Chat

Now that you’ve been chatting online for a while, you’re ready to take the relationship up a notch and do a video chat. If your new significant other doesn’t ever want to show his or her face, that’s the first sign you’re being catfished. Perhaps they’ll have a good excuse, such as, “I look awful at that moment and am embarrassed.” Perhaps they’ll tell you they don’t have a webcam. Maybe they have an Android so they can’t FaceTime your Apple device.

In any situation, these are all excuses. Everyone with access to the internet has some sort of access to a camera and an app in which they can do a video chat. If you’ve received excuse after excuse about why the other person can’t ever do video chat, chances are their profile pictures, as well as any other pictures they’ve sent you, were stolen from someone else.

  1. Your New Love Interest Wants You to Send Money

Someone who you don’t know well and is asking for money is also a serious red flag. Of course, they’ll probably have some very sad story, possibly something they’ve been buttering you up for, but you should never send the funds. Even if the transaction seems secure, you may not ever see that money, or that person, ever again.

  1. Their Social Media Accounts Aren’t Super Active

There are some people who aren’t very active in social media, but you’ll still see things pop up every once in a while. Perhaps they’ll be tagged in a friend or family member’s photo. Maybe they’ll have 100 friends wish them happy birthday. If this new person you’ve just met online doesn’t have a very active social media account or doesn’t have many friends on it at all, those are signs of being catfished.

  1. Meeting in Person Is Always Out of the Question

After spending a lot of time in online conversation and interaction, you’ll probably want to meet in person at one point or another. If the other person makes excuses or says meeting is absolutely out of the question, you may want to think about this relationship again. Perhaps they agree to the meeting, only to bail at the last minute with a very compelling excuse. This is reasonable if it happens once, but if it keeps happening, you can assume they’re not who they say they are.

  1. The Person Has a Dramatic Life

If the person at the other end of your chat history tells outlandish tales, they may not be true. If the person or the stories seem too good to be true, they probably are. Sometimes catfishers will claim to be undercover agents, giving you a reason they can’t meet up in person. Others may claim to travel the world for work or be stuck in another country while traveling for leisure.

Other drama to be leery of is if your new boyfriend or girlfriend shares very intimate details about his or her life early on. This tactic is meant to draw sympathy from you so you’ll form an emotional attachment and want to help him or her. Only so many traumas can occur in one person’s life, so if it starts to sound extreme, it probably is.

What You Should Do About It

Now that you’ve learned how to tell if you are being catfished, you need to know what to do about it. The first thing you should do is contact an investigator. A private investigator can help you determine whether or not you are being scammed and what to do now that you know. If you’ve already been taken advantage of by catfishing, a private investigator may also be able to help you track down this person and take back what you’ve lost. Next, cut off the relationship. The other person may seem rudely persistent, which is another sign they have evil intentions, but don’t go back and engage in conversation.

Finally, change your online accounts. This might include completely deleting accounts and starting over again or simply changing passwords and usernames so they can’t find you anymore. If your online chatting spilled over into text messaging, it might be a good idea to get yourself a new phone number. Any personal information you shared with the catfisher is already out there, but you can make some changes to protect yourself for the future. Contact the experts at A True PI for a Free Consultation today! 1-888-987-8374

6 ways How to Hire a Private Investigator in Dallas Texas

Service of Process, A True P.I

There are many reasons why you might want to hire a private investigator in Dallas Texas. You may wish to obtain extra security, find a missing person, or screen a potential employee. Regardless of your reason for hiring a private investigator, you want to be careful in how you go about finding and choosing one. You will be investing a great deal into the PI you hire, not only in terms of money, but also trust. You need to be sure that the investigator will work for your best interest and not try to take advantage of you.

Red Flags To Avoid

There are many legitimate private investigation firms ready and willing to serve you to the best of their abilities. Unfortunately, a lot of scam artists pose as legitimate investigators to rip you off at the first available opportunity.

There are specific warning signs that indicate that the investigator you’re talking with is not right for you:

  • Doesn’t have an office
  • Doesn’t have a website
  • Pressures you into hiring them
  • Doesn’t ask you any questions
  • Promises the exact results you want
  • Offers or agrees to do illegal things

By law, there are certain things a private investigator cannot do for you in an Infadelity investigation. These include tapping into someone else’s online accounts (social media, email, etc.) or wiretapping someone’s phones. You shouldn’t ask a private investigator to do any of these things for you. And if the PI offers to do them, it indicates that this is not someone you should hire.

Places To Start Looking

Web searches are good ways to find information about private investigators, but they are not the first places you should start looking, and you should never hire a private investigator on the basis of a print or online ad alone.

As with many services, the best way to find a private investigator is referrals from trusted sources. If you have a friend or family member who has hired a PI in the past, you can ask for the name of the agency. Then make sure your acquaintance was satisfied with the service.

However, you may not know anyone who has hired a private investigator in the past. If that’s the case, there are other places to obtain referrals:

  • Criminal defense lawyers
  • Sheriff’s department watch commander
  • Local FBI duty agency
  • Police department clerk

Ways To Vet a Private Investigator

Once you have the names of a few candidates, you should narrow down the list by checking to see if each has a good reputation. Check to see if the agency is a member of the Better Business Bureau, or if any past clients have lodged complaints against it with the BBB. Your state’s private investigator association should also have records of any complaints or disciplinary actions against the PI or the firm.

Questions To Ask a Private Investigator

A legitimate PI should offer you an initial consultation at no charge. This is an opportunity to meet the investigator face to face and gauge whether this is a person in whom you can place your trust. When meeting with a private investigator you’re thinking about hiring, the following are good questions to ask.

  1. “Can You Provide References?”

A private investigator unwilling or unable to provide references for past clients is not trustworthy. Be sure you check out any references provided to make sure they are on the up and up.

  1. “Are You Licensed?”

Most states have licensing requirements for private investigators, although some are more stringent than others. If the investigator answers in the affirmative, ask for the licensing number so you can check.

  1. “Are You Insured?”

This is important because if the PI is not insured, you could be held liable for any damages resulting from the investigation. In some states, errors and omissions insurance is a requirement to obtain a private investigator license.

  1. “Do You Have a Specialty or Area of Expertise?”

Like many professionals, private investigators sometimes specialize in a particular area. It’s often best to hire someone with expertise in the type of service you require.

  1. “What Is Your Professional Background?”

You should look for a private investigator with previous experience in law enforcement, such as with the state or local police or the FBI. Also ask about any professional certifications or degrees in relevant educational programs, such as sociology or criminal justice.

Before hiring an investigator, you should take a moment to ask yourself if you are prepared to cope with the outcome of the investigation. You might find out something that you don’t want to know, or you may be upset if the results are not what you expected or wanted. Once you decide that you’re ready to hire a private investigator, contact A True Pi to find out more about available services.

Can a Private Investigator in Dallas take videos?

A True PI in Dallas Texas specializes in Surveillance.  Private investigator’s posses with artistic advanced techniques to help our clients achieve extraordinary results during a surveillance investigation. A True PI can uncover sensitive and confidential information, within the legal guidelines. A surveillance detective can testify as an expert witness in a court of law; And the evidence would be admissible within the courts procedures, in compliance with State and Federal law guidelines.

The most dangerous, illegal, costly and reckless act is to start your own surveillance. Following a person is not an easy task and causes many people to be involved in deadly auto accidents and even worse; If you have no idea who you are investigating, watching or following around. You will find yourself in uncharted and dangerous situations that may increase your legal problems. Not to mention, of course it’s illegal for anyone to start or commence their own surveillance. A True PI in Dallas and surrounding counties can cover the entire state of Texas. A True PI investigator’s always provide clients with integrity shots with the most advanced camera and video equipment.

Any and all videos and evidence must be obtained by a licensed private investigator during a worker compensation defense, Sub-Rosa investigation, or evidence that will be entered in a court of law.  Any other way such you or a friend helping by taking pictures, videos or evidence will not be admitted in court; Since it was not recorded and or collected by a licensed private investigator who is responsible to authenticate the evidence to be submitted, recognized and accepted in a court of law.

If you would like a free consultation tailored to your specific case parameters and needs; Then please just give us a call at 1-888-987-8374

If you’re caught running a surveillance or following a person around, you maybe charged with stalking, arrested and even a restraining order filed against you. The cost of surveillance can triple after an individual starts their surveillance and investigation without a private investigator; Since it would take the private investigator longer to capture the evidence due to a compromise.

Surveillance is an art that an investigator masters from years of experience through trial and error. Surveillance may sound simple, however, there are several obstacles that meet the most experienced investigator. For example Surveillance requires a private investigator to sit in a vehicle for long hours in the middle of the day, while being quiet and alert of the surroundings. Private Investigators must keep a close watch on the subject in order to be ready and follow.

In order to engage in a successful surveillance, a private investigator must have the most advanced equipment and tools since most people who are being watched are surveillance sensitive and always paranoid and looking around. Surveillance is a very useful investigative service and tool since it provides intelligence and and overall picture of a person, business or entity. For example most people who are committing or doing wrongful activity are naturally paranoid and their conscience play a big part that indicates guilt but at the same time caution. Human nature plays a very unique part of any surveillance, it can be described as a sword that cuts both ways: Through a video surveillance you can clearly notice from the body language how a person is uneasy, paranoid and looking around to ensure that he/she are not caught committing or doing something wrong. At the same time this uneasy feeling and paranoia allows the perpetrator to become more responsive, alert and fully aware of the surroundings. An experience PI surveillance expert would have learned that obtaining several different types of video equipment, binoculars, internet access in a vehicle and most advanced surveillance tools & tactics are a must for successful results of an investigative surveillance.
Surveillance pays off when it’s done by a professional private investigator who is consistent and ready to capture that priceless moment.

 

Is it Legal to hire a Private Investigator in Houston?

Listening Device Detection & invasion of privacy, A True P.I
Vehicle quickly driving by blurred city streets
Male taking mysterious photo from his car in the dark

How does a private investigator catch a cheating spouse?

Surveillance – A private investigator watches your spouse using advanced surveillance methods to ensure that you obtain the evidence you need. Some of these methods include tracking your spouse’s vehicle, searching their assets, and monitoring their internet activity.

Infidelity / Cheating Spouse Investigation

Is your husband or wife cheating?

The suspicion that your spouse may be cheating is a painful thought. Unfortunately, if you have a suspicion that your spouse is unfaithful, you may be right. According to statistics, wives who suspect their husbands of cheating are correct 85% of the time, while husbands who suspect their wives of cheating are correct 50% of the time. Therapist Peggy Vaughan’s research has suggested that approximately 60% of men and 40% of women will cheat at least once in their marriage. Despite the prevalence of cheating, 70% of married women and 54% of married men do not know about their spouse’s infidelity. These statistics do not even include nontraditional forms of infidelity. It is estimated that 40 million Americans have virtual encounters of a sexual nature on the internet which many consider to be “emotional affairs”.

What are the common signs of a cheating spouse?

Signs of a Cheating Spouse Infographic

In a cheating spouse infographic released by PINow in February 2012, infidelity investigators noted six of the most common signs of cheating:

  1. Changes in intimacy: A distinct increase or decrease in intimacy, affection levels, and/or sexual preferences may indicate infidelity.
  2. Suspicious phone habits: A spouse that hides his or her phone or is secretive about their call logs and text messages may be cheating.
  3. Changes in appearance: A marked change in style of dress, intimate wear, and/or personal hygiene can be a clue.
  4. Suspicious internet use: Much like phone habits, a cheating spouse may be overly secretive when it comes to their browser history and general internet and computer habits.
  5. Changes in work routine: It may seem like a cliche but a husband or wife that suddenly needs to “work late” or “go to a conference” frequently is a sign of infidelity.
  6. Changes in bathing habits: A spouse that showers right when they get home, switches cologne or perfume, or changes their grooming habits can be a sign of cheating.

If you have suspicions we are here to help! Call a Specialist at A True PI Now for a No Cost Confidential Consultation! 1-888-987-8374

Is Your Partner Having an Affair?

Do you have suspicions of a cheating spouse?

This is the question that goes through the mind of any individual who has raised suspicion about his/her spouse. Do I have a cheating spouse? This is a very painful and dreadful question to ask yourself, but if you have strong feelings that it may be happening to you, then most likely it is. Although the media may have planted this thought through shows like Cheaters and many instances blasted on social media of a cheating spouse; the signs that slap you in the face in your own relationship may be a strong indication that it’s your reality as well.

Cheater

Signs your partner is cheating

It is understandable to think that your spouse is cheating when you see strange behavior, especially if the relationship seems a bit rocky at the time. Changes in your spouse’s habits and odd behavior may be very well linked to infidelity, so keep a very good eye on these things. While every situation is different and cheating can manifest itself in many forms, the following are definitely a few signs to consider as possible links to infidelity when they come up:

  • A decrease in sexual intimacy and affection.
  • Suspicious habits with their phone such as, changing the passcode, hiding the screen when receiving a notification, clearing the browser history, etc.
  • Sudden changes in work schedule and coming home late from work.
  • Constantly moving to a different room in the home that you’re not in.
  • Making sudden improvements to their physical appearance and hygiene.
  • Being less communicative and avoiding any conversation with you.
  • Seems nervous every time you try to have a talk.
  • You sense indifference from your spouse and don’t seem interested in any activities with you, inside or outside the house.
  • Excessive spending on unknown items and bills are not being paid.
  • Leaving the house late at night, while you’re sleeping.

These signs may be the determining factor that your spouse is in fact cheating. However, it also may be a mirage, deceiving your sight and leading you to believe something that is not happening. So be very careful to go on accusing based on signs and gut feeling alone, without having the facts lined up.

Do not confront your partner until you find evidence

When you see signs of infidelity, your immediate reaction may be to confront your partner, but this may not be the best idea right away. Confronting your partner directly about how you feel, may not be the best idea without strong evidence. Your spouse may just simply lie to you and tell you that nothing is happening if you don’t bring solid proof to the table.

The next time they do it again, they will probably begin to be more careful and secretive with everything they do, to prevent you from discovering the truth. So don’t go on immediately accusing your spouse without the facts. Be prepared and emotionally ready with strong evidence before you bring it up at the dinner table.

There may be indirect conversations you may be able to strike with your partner concerning infidelity that may provide you some strong leads. This is a very delicate topic, especially if your spouse is actually cheating, so make sure that the conversation you have isn’t raising suspicions to them that you have concerns of infidelity. Be patient and look for signs in the conversation, because if they are or have been actively cheating, they will tell on themselves.

However, some people are very good at disguising and masking the truth, so make sure you are also doing your due diligence and research outside of these conversations, to find out what’s really happening.

How to conduct a cheating spouse investigation

It can be quite challenging to identify if a spouse is cheating, because they lie and take advantage of the trust that their spouse has in them. This allows them to easily disguise themselves and put on a mask to not get caught in the act. However, there is always a trail of signs left behind and if you become suspicious, it is your job to begin investigating and finding out if your intuition is telling you the truth about what is actually going on.

You may ask yourself “well, where do I begin my investigation?”. Below is a list of steps you can take towards your discovery:

  1. Check yourself for STD: Although this is something that should be done regularly, the best time to get tested is when you have suspicions that your partner is cheating. If the results come back positive and you have only been intimate with your partner, this may be a huge sign that your partner is being unfaithful to you.
  1. Look for receipts or random documents: Check around your home for receipts or any paperwork that seems suspicious to you. You can check in areas in your home where your spouse spends most of their time, in their vehicle or even in the trash. Anything you can find that doesn’t seem normal can be an indication that they are up to no good.
  1. Check bank statements: Seeing what your spouse is spending their money on can be a great way to find out if they’re cheating. Taking random restaurant or liquor store visits without your knowledge can be a major indication of this. Check their bank statements if you have access to this to verify any unusual activity.
  1. Check or set up a home security system: If you have a home security system, this may be a good way to see if you can find any unusual activity, especially while you’re at work. However, if you don’t have one, you may want to set one up in your home, but be very careful to not identify it as a means to discover infidelity in your relationship. Talk to your spouse about it to see if they are fine with it. If they seem resistant to the idea for no apparent reason, then this could be a sign.
  1. Check their phone records: If you’re under the same phone plan with your spouse, you can request a print out of call history and text history from your carrier. If not, see if your spouse receives a bill in the mail and check for any unusual activity.
  1. Check their cellphone: If you have access to their phone or can somehow gain access while it is left unattended, this may be one of the best ways to dig up some dirt. Go through text messages, email photos and random documents saved on the phone. Also check their browsing history or even GPS history to see where they have recently gone. Checking messages, comments and what has been searched on social media is also a good place to check. Be prepared to discover the worst possible, because this is where most of the dirt can be found.
  1. Follow them around: Your partner may leave at random hours of the night or times of the day without not knowing exactly where they are going. Get in your own car or find a way to get around and follow your partner. This is a good way to see if they are on their way to have an affair.

Hire a cheating spouse investigator

This may be too much work for you to do or perhaps you’re too scared to do it yourself. This is one of the reasons why there are professional private investigators who handle these types of investigations. You may have to go to the bank with this option, but it’s the professional way to go about it and it will alleviate the stress and fear of doing it yourself. You may be feeling too overwhelmed and stressed about your concerns anyways, so why not leave it to a pro, who can probably do a better job in digging up some dirt on your spouse.

Every situation is different, so the cheating spouse investigation may vary based on your needs. Be very specific and thorough with your private investigator, because they will need as much information as possible to do their research effectively. Keep in mind that there are laws in place, so they’re unable to take certain actions such as:

  • Act as law enforcement
  • Use wire tap
  • Obtain cell phone records without consent
  • Tamper with mail
  • Trespass private property
  • Hack personal accounts

However, here are some means they use to conduct their investigations:

  • Search public records, such as run background check, social media and search engines.
  • Set up hidden cameras and obtain access to surveillance.
  • Use GPS tracking to track their every move and see where they’re going.
  • Use a decoy to tempt the cheating spouse and see if they will fall for the bait.
  • Work with other investigators and lawyers to help them with their investigations.

Hiring a cheating spouse spy or private investigator is definitely a solid means to obtain all the evidence you need to confront your spouse who is cheating on you. These are professionals, so they can conduct an investigation without the risk of your spouse finding out that you are monitoring them. Private detectives have a fiduciary responsibility when you hire them, so they will provide a truthful and accurate report of their findings. We have Boots on the ground 24/7 in the Dallas Fort Worth area.

Consider A True P.I. to investigate your spouse and find out the truth about their secret activities. We will provide a free consultation if you need help.

Give us a call today at 1-888-9-TRUEPI (87-8374)  to set up an appointment with a specialist today!