Hiring a Private Investigator need not need to be a difficult trying experience!
Don’t use a listing company! It adds cost to your investigation!
Listing companies such as Yelp, Bark and Thumbtack will list “jacks of all trades” who pay several hundred dollars for a listing. The only requirement they have is the listed company pay a few hundred dollars in advance each month.
Listing companies have no quality requirement and will sell a listing to any company including those NOT Pennsylvania based or licensed for private investigative work in Pennsylvania. Most are business enterprises scarfing up search leads then shopping out the work out to low cost and frequently unlicensed field contractors working under someone else’s private detective license.
The result of using a listing service is you aren’t likely contracting directly with a PA state licensed detective agency. You will also most likely not receive a licensed private detective for your field work. In addition to paying more than directly contacting with an actual licensed Pennsylvania private detective agency, use of unlicensed staff working under someone else’s private detective license poses risk of liability to you as well as risk when it comes time to testify.
WHAT TO DO INSTEAD!
THE BEST START IS TO perform organic Google searches, check Google reviews and then select (3) detective agencies to call. Request a free consultation and a written service and cost estimate.
Be sure to do the following investigation of your own before selecting a licensed private investigator:
Always inquire on what the minimal retainer amount is to start your investigation. Can more time be added to help with your budget and to not lock you into an agency. DO NOT SELECT AN AGENCY that asks for several thousand dollars in advance for basic private investigation services.
The best option is to request a starting retainer that is in your budget and select an agency that will allow you to start your investigation for as little as $250. This will allow you to avoid being roped into an arrangement with licensed investigator you are not happy with. It also allows you to better budget your private investigation by making distributed payments as opposed to thousands of dollars in advance. Verify that the “investigator” working on your case is in fact a registered licensed and bonded private investigator. Ask it they will subcontract or assign work to unlicensed individuals?
Verify that the “investigator” is a registered licensed and bonded private investigator. Ask it they will subcontract or assign work to unlicensed individuals? Always request the license, bond and professional resume of the investigator working your case.
Another important factor is what means for secure communication and information dissemination does the Private Detective agency offer? Our agency provides every customer with secure access to our private cloud. The private cloud is the foundation for secure communications and information transfer and dissemination. The secure cloud is operated by our agency and monitored.
Pennsylvania residents can verify a private investigator is licensed by contacting the Pennsylvania State Police (PSP).
The Private Detective Roster phone number at 717-783-3762. You can also request the docket number for their license and find this on the PA Court public access system.
Additionally you should make sure the private detective you hire is also a Pennsylvania Act 235 licensed agent if your assignment relates to potential investigative dangers or is an urgent security need.