Before hiring a private investigator, you have to make sure that the person you will be dealing with is highly professional. What’s the best way to identify a professional? Making sure they have the appropriate license for the kind of work you are hiring them for is a great first step! Besides that, the person should be trustworthy, honest, reliable and prompt. A clean record and good character are also a must.

You should also consider hiring someone with experience. Investigating is not some game for people to just play with, after all. There are serious matters at stake such as in the case of a cheating spouse or identity theft. You will also need a competent investigator on matters like fraud and other cases that need serious consideration. Some people would even hire to investigate a son or daughter’s fiancé while they are engaged—and it is imperative to find the right person for the job.

Here are some things to ask your potential private investigator when looking to hire for a job:

1. Ask about expertise. Every investigator has individual expertise. Some investigators may claim how they are a jack of all trades. However, depending on the case you want to be investigated, you might just want to hire someone from a private investigation services company who has a certain area of expertise to accomplish your goal.

Do not get easily swayed by small talk from an investigator. Remember, even if they claim to provide the services you are looking for, they too are business entities looking for clients such as yourself to boost their revenue.  You should be sure to look for someone that is reliable and trustworthy.

2. Demand to see previous surveillance reports. Surveillance reports have time stamps on them. Getting access to them will give you an idea of the quality of your investigator. Consider it a red flag when a private investigator refuses to show you surveillance reports or simply has no such documents to show. If they are a real private investigative services company, they should be able to provide you with data that will help them earn your trust to hire them.

3. Ask about service cost and payment method.  This is to ensure you are dealing with the right people the right way. Generally speaking, private investigation doesn’t come cheap. Avoid those who charge a suspiciously small fee. If the payment method is shady (through services such as Venmo or the Cash App) don’t even bother. It would be wise to spend your money on services that mirror your expectations!

Most clients will begin their search for an investigator on a private investigation services website. However, it’s important needs to proceed with caution because there are scam companies out there acting like they are a legitimate private investigative services company.

In the end you should do some research on trusted services and go with your gut feeling. Search through a few companies you could potentially hire and narrow the list to your top three to  five.  When you are confident about them, proceed with interviewing someone from that company. This will entail calling each provider and talking to someone about your requirements. Contact Forletta Investigative Security Consultant in Pennsylvania and Ohio at 412-928-3945 and get a complimentary consultation!