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.

10 Reasons To Hire a Private Investigator in Dallas TX

Some people have an image of a private investigator that is straight out of a dramatic movie or television show, complete with all-night stakeouts, back alley deals, and of course, the obligatory fedora and overcoat. The reality of private investigation is very much different; people in this field may combine a military or law enforcement background with expert skills of organization, critical thinking, and analysis.

Private detectives can help individuals and companies find out information that may be nearly impossible to track down on their own, and their level of proficiency and experience make them a trusted and reliable resource, even for other law enforcement teams. Still not sure what a PI can do for you? These ten good reasons to hire a private investigator can show you the value for your personal and professional needs.

Divorce

From marital infidelity to asset hiding, divorce may make reasonable people take unreasonable actions. A private investigator can help a legal team or individual to determine the truth behind any suspicions and provide evidence to support your position.

Background Checks

If you’ve ever attempted to perform a background check on your own, you know it can be time-consuming, expensive, and complicated. A private investigator has the resources and connections needed to take care of checking out a future employee, babysitter, company, a new tenant, or even a potential suitor to make sure everything is as it should be.

Child Custody

When parents are unable to reach an amiable solution to child custody, they may become secretive, vindictive, or irrational. A private eye can get to the bottom of asset searches or conduct surveillance to ensure that each child’s safety and best interests are protected.

Missing Persons

People may need assistance locating a missing person in Dallas or surrounding areas. Scanning public records and following paper trails on your own can be exhausting and difficult, but a private detective knows what avenues to explore to find people who may be under the radar.

Corporate Compliance

How does a company protect its interests from either the competition or their own employees who may not be following policies, government regulations, or legal requirements? With outside investigations with a PI, a company can learn more information to ensure that all appropriate protocols are taken.

Forensic Document Scrutiny

Private investigators can evaluate any paper trail to determine authenticity and accuracy to aid in civil and criminal matters. From handwriting verification to imprinted documents, verified evidence can make the difference in many cases, which is why a detective’s skills can be so important.

Due Diligence

No business transaction of any significance should be undertaken without doing due diligence, and again, a private investigator can take the hassle out of this process as well. Corporate due diligence is more in-depth than a standard background check or public record search, and companies frequently rely on private investigators to go that extra mile.

Forensic Accounting

Crime doesn’t have to be violent to be harmful; financial fraud, theft, and asset hiding can be devastating for both businesses and individuals. Private investigation can focus on documentation, bookkeeping, and even digital records using the latest methodology to get answers. Most companies or law firms do not have that level of expertise on staff to effectively resolve these issues.

Security Details

From bug sweeps to event security, private detectives have the expertise to anticipate scenarios, defuse situations, and ensure personal safety in any setting. Specialized training and professionalism make all the difference for spot-on security. Some private eyes may also work as bodyguards or provide discreet executive security, both armed and unarmed.

Surveillance

Yes, you can still count on private investigators to do stakeouts, but surveillance entails much more than that. In-person observation is just one level of surveillance; detectives can also monitor with technical equipment, online capabilities, and intensive interviewing to gather information for you or your company.

These ten reasons to hire a private investigator are not the only ones. If you are unsure how a licensed and highly skilled private eye can assist you, you should find a reputable company that can answer your questions and explain its procedures. You may be surprised at how much easier some of the more challenging aspects of your life can be with the help of a private detective.

If you need to hire a private investigator, contact A True PI. We have over 30 years experience in all the cases mentioned above and a team of discrete, passionate professionals with backgrounds in law enforcement. Call and speak with a specialist now- Telephone: 1-888-9-TRUEPI (87-8374)

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.