It’s been 90 years since the archetype of the hard-bitten detective first became popular. However, truth is often a far cry from fiction, and private investigators are no exception.
Unlike Sam Spade and his hard-boiled compatriots, real private investigators don’t often spend their days chasing murderers. Missing persons are not uncommon, but there are other specialties as well. These include background checks, fraud cases, and infidelity among numerous other things.
Finding the right detective means knowing what you’re looking for. For those asking ‘How do I find the right private investigator near me,’ we’re here to help. We’ll give you some tips in the paragraphs below.
1. Make Sure They’re Legitimate
There are plenty of skilled PIs out there, but every business has its share of frauds. The good news is that there are ways to spot them.
All detectives need to be at least 21, though the minimum age varies by state. They should also have no felony convictions and a high school diploma.
Some states also require an associate’s degree in a related field, like law enforcement or finances. You will also need a few years of work experience to qualify for a license. You’ll need an additional license to carry a firearm if your state allows it.
You can also check the Better Business Bureau. See what kind of grade the business has and why. You can also check on other sites to see what kind of reviews the business has.
Too many reviews, specific reviews especially, may indicate that the company is dishonest. After all, private investigators aren’t the type of people you talk much about hiring.
2. Determine Their Specialties
There are a lot of different reasons you might seek out a private investigator, which can make things a bit more complicated. If I were looking for a private investigator, it wouldn’t be enough to find a private investigator near me. I’d need to find a private investigator who specializes in my type of case.
What are you trying to do? Do you suspect that your spouse is cheating? Some detectives are very experienced in that.
Perhaps you think your employer is cheating you out of money. Maybe you are the employer and you think your worker is exaggerating their injuries for a payout. There are detectives who can help.
3. Talk It Out
Hiring a private investigator can be complicated. Not only do you need to find the right investigator, but you’ll also need to agree on a price and whether or not the case is worth it.
Some people call private investigators only for the PIs to point out that what they’re asking for is technically illegal. For instance, they can’t record conversations without people knowing. They also can’t hack computers or trespass on private property.
How to Find a Private Investigator Near Me
“How do I find a private investigator near me?” It’s a question that a lot of people ask.
We’ve given some of our advice in the paragraphs above, but there are plenty more. We encourage you to do more research on your own if you’re interested.
If you want more information about detectives and related services please visit our site. We can tell you all about hiring a personal bodyguard.