If you are looking at hiring a private investigator, then you may be concerned about choosing the right person or firm to handle your investigation. And rightly so, not only will you be parting with your money, but you want to be sure that the investigation is carried out professionally, quick and with full confidentiality.
Making the decision to hire a private investigator is sometimes difficult due to the often personal nature of a case, so it is important that whomever you decide to hire will not only get the job done and the results you need, but will do so ethically and with due care of any sensitive data you may provide.
So what details do you need to know in order to make sure that you hire a good private investigator?
Experience
Experience and results are vital when it comes to choosing a private investigator. Most private investigators or detectives will come from a professional police or military background and have expertise in surveillance. If you are looking for a specific type of private investigator, then it is important to check that the person you are considering hiring has the relevant expertise, for example, if you are a corporation that thinks there may be a security breach in their computer network, you would need to hire a private investigator that has a specialty in cybercrime.
Asking about a private investigator’s experience and expertise is one of the key priorities when considering hiring, so it is always best to know what type of situation or investigation you may need. This way you can compare the skills and experience of the private investigator to the type of investigation you require.
If you are unsure of what you would need, don’t hesitate to ask, a reputable investigator or firm will happily talk through all your available options with you.
Location
Although there are several considerations to take into account when looking for a private detective, such as trust, expertise and of course, previous results, it is also wise to consider location. This specialist knowledge of the location where your investigation is most likely to be based, or conducted, is vital when choosing a private detective. You may find a great private detective in London for example, but if you live in Manchester, not only will you likely incur extra costs due to travel, but there isn’t the local knowledge of Manchester that can be important when conducting an investigation and trying to obtain the evidence that you need.
Insurance
All private investigators and private investigation firms should have professional indemnity insurance, you can ask to see if a company or person has the right cover in place before you hire them.
Ethics
Before hiring a private detective or engaging the services of a private investigation company, it is always important to consider the ethics behind the industry.
You may have found it difficult to make the decision to hire a private investigator, so you may have worries about the ethical aspect of an investigation. If this concerns you, then it is worth finding a private investigator that is a member of one of the accredited trade associations, such as the Association of British Investigators (ABI.) These organisations hold members of the private investigative industry to a code of ethics.
This may seem odd to the average person, but as the industry has no regulation, it is vitally important for the integrity of the sector to have some form of rules and accountability. Because surveillance services can often require tracking, covert tracing and access to phone records and computer activity, it is imperative that private investigation firms operate in line with the law and in an ethical manner. Especially if you need actionable evidence.
Cost
As cost can vary between private investigators, it is important to know how much they are going to charge and the level of service you are going to get. Many reputable firms will offer a consultation to discuss your requirements and ascertain which services you will need to get swift and accurate results. This is especially important if you are requiring court-admissible evidence. They will then be transparent about the cost. Stay away from private investigators or firms that do not have clear fees as you may be liable to incur hidden costs further down the line.
Confidentiality and data protection
During the course of an investigation, you may have to provide sensitive information, and the investigator on your case will often have to collect information regarding the identity of a person. Because of this, it is imperative that you choose a reputable private investigator that is registered with the Information Commissioner’s Office, this is a requirement of all businesses to ensure adherence with data protection laws.
It is also prudent to choose a private investigator that guarantees full confidentiality. Look for investigators that say they are DBS checked and ICO cleared and don’t be afraid to ask for proof.
Research
Although this is a comprehensive list, you must do as much research as you can before hiring a private investigator. Look on their website, read as many reviews as you can, see if their address matches any other listings. As the industry is unregulated, there are many unscrupulous businesses looking to exploit this and you do not want to throw away your hard earned money.
Do not forget to ask for a contact number and ask when they will be available and always, always, go for a consultation with your private investigator before handing over money or information.
There are, however, good private investigators and firms out there that will get you the results you need, such as OpSec Solutions.
Private Investigators with OpSec Solutions
If you are looking for a specific type of private investigator, you want to be sure that they have the knowledge, the skills and the experience required to do the job efficiently and often discreetly.
Our expert security and intelligence team is at the heart of what we offer. Every member of the team has a professional background with invaluable experience, whether that’s military, policing, government, or the corporate sector.
When you hire a private investigator for a specific job, you want the reassurance that they can offer a fast response when required. Knowledge of the local area is also critical to the services they provide. Both can be achieved by finding a private investigator that is based near you.
Unlike many other private investigation companies, OpSec Solutions ticks both these boxes, with private investigator services across the UK. We have headquarters in London and Manchester, with local private investigators across the nation. Wherever you are based, we will provide a local service with a fast response and no compromise on the results.
We also don’t take a one-size-fits-all approach to surveillance. We understand that every case has its own requirements and complexities – whether it is a long-term static project, or dynamic mobile surveillance that needs operatives in various locations.
That is why our team takes time to assess every case in detail. After an in-depth consultation, we will outline a clear methodology, tailored to the type of private investigator you require.
It doesn’t matter who you are, OpSec Solutions works with solicitors, loss adjusters and insurance companies, small businesses and individuals, and even large enterprises who can subcontract their surveillance and investigative needs to our capable team.
We understand that the trust factor is invaluable when it comes to surveillance, especially in personal matters. At OpSec Solutions, we complete all work legally, confidentially and in full compliance with GDPR. We have accreditation and membership from some of the industry’s leading bodies, so you have peace of mind that any private investigative services are carried out ethically, legally and with full confidentiality.
Want to know more about the private investigator services we provide, our state-of-the-art technology, and how we could help you? Then please contact us today.