MiamiDetectives.com
How to Properly Use and Select a Private Investigations Agency©
By Joe Diaz, FCI

1) Use private investigative services anytime you need to find out what the facts are regarding an individual, a group, an entity, or a particular situation, ideally before you are aggrieved.

2) Don’t rely on your attorney, accountant, or other service professional to recommend, or even encourage you, to use investigative services. Evaluate the situation and make the decision yourself; occasionally, a service provider may not be interested in recommending the services of an investigator that may solve the case prematurely. Delays can cost you and/or your business money, aggravation, prestige or customer goodwill. If you need the situation investigated, consider a reputable private investigations agency.

3) Check that the private investigations agency you want to hire is properly licensed and insured. Most states provide this information to consumers for free by phone or online.

4) Make sure that the PI firm you are considering is qualified in the area of expertise you need. Not all investigators are equally trained or experienced.

5) Verify professional qualifications. Some investigators tend to overestimate their qualifications and their agencies’ capabilities.

6) Preferably, hire an established PI firm that has been in continuous business for a number of years. Longevity demonstrates a certain degree of stability

7) Understand the specific terms of your fee agreement with the PI firm and ask for a Retainer Agreement or Proof of Deposit.

8) Expect to receive a report, video for surveillance cases and any other evidence discovered by the investigator, as allowed by law

9) Weight the investment you make to hire an investigator against the benefits that you can reasonably expect to derive from the investigation. A professional investigator should be honest and forthcoming about the realistic expectations of your particular case. Establish a clear objective prior to commencing the work and ask for recommendations that will help you achieve that objective.

10) Follow your instincts and use common sense. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably isn’t. Call us and we’ll be glad to answer your questions.

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