Private Detective

Has anyone ever caught you surveilling them, and what happened?

Asked by JSS about 9 years ago

Of course, it happens to the best of us. Had this early morning L.A. case, set up super early so no one would see me, a bit of a tough part of town, didn't want any eyes on my vehicle rolling in with no one getting out of it. Followed this lady around town for two days, things seemed like they were going well. Got some video on her, but she wasn't doing much outside of her doctor's recommendations. She seemed too perfect. She never looked my way once and never acted suspicious. At the end of the second day as I was about to close up shop, her husband walks up to my vehicle and leaves a small little note under the wiper blades. You'll never guess what it said, "thanks for babysitting my wife". Gumshoe work can be quite humbling sometimes.

What would you say is the best Sherlock-Holmes-worthy detective work you've ever done?

Asked by Thalia about 9 years ago

Wow, Sherlock Holmes...that's quite the pinnacle in the industry. I'm not sure if I'm quite that noteworthy, but I will say this. I once had an assignment where I had to track down this business guy and serve him some federal papers for court. Pretty serious stuff when it goes to federal court...you don't fool around with that. So anyway, he had a bunch of properties in 4 different counties. I went to each different county, asking questions, turning over stones (big ones and small ones) just to find out where this guy was. None of the locations panned out. I felt like crap, plus I burned through most of my retainer already. So here I am, bummed out...sitting on the bed of my Motel 6 in the high desert, then all of a sudden it hits me. His father invested in a lot of his businesses and in one of the records I checked showed a cabin in the mountains as a mailing address he used quite a while back. It was pretty ancient, but my gut was telling me to go after it. If the mountain won't come to Mohammad, Mohammad must go to the mountain! So I head on up there, and boom....super slick looking Mercedes parked in the leafy driveway of the cabin. My heart is racing, I know this is my guy. Since I put this much effort into this assignment, I don't want him NOT answering the door. So I grab my construction hard hat, reflector vest and clipboard w/ the subpoena on it. Give a knock at the door, and walla...my guy is front and center. He was never more surprised in his life, he actually smiled a bit, and that really made my day. I shook his hand, said thank you Sir and gave a little smile of my own.

Have you ever turned down a job because you thought it was too dangerous?

Asked by mel40 about 9 years ago

Yes. But you can't be too influenced by the client. The client may tell you the person you'll have under surveillance is the meanest nastiest smartest person on the face of the earth...doesn't mean it's all true. I've had to draw on my past experience to gauge if this is something I want to step into. Also, a lot of it's mostly perceived danger. Usually with PI work there's not too much physical danger, the idea is to be covert and not get involved. I go with my gut feeling. If it tells me to back off, I back off. I have no problem referring them to another PI who may be better suited for the assignment.

I've always wanted to be a P.I. but I don't really have any connections. Like I don't know anyone in the police or politics who I can call for a favor. Is it enough if I'm just smart, hardworking, diligent, but I'm not "connected" like that?

Asked by Tarrytown about 9 years ago

Always follow your dreams. But make sure your dreams make financial sense and can give you stability over the long haul. The PI thing for me has been both a blessing and a curse at the same time. It kinda sucks you in, you get used to the freedom and there's always this thought in your mind that a payday is just a phone call away. I was ambitious once like you when I first started, but over the years the job weighs on you. I only know a handful of PIs that can show a profit year after year. A lot say they do, and a lot of detective schools preach you'll make $50 to $125 and hour. But if you're only getting a few cases a month, you'd be better off with a regular W-2 job doing just about anything else. The most successful PIs are the former cops and federal agents who have a nice pension. Those guys have the funds and resources for marketing their business, paying for internet ads and chumming up extra work from their old buddies with the department without worrying about the rent.

Do people ever hire you for the sole purpose of intimidating someone? Like will a client ever tell you that he WANTS the subject to be aware that you're following them because the objective is just to spook them rather than to covertly gather info?

Asked by Mossad about 9 years ago

Some do. But you never bite that carrot. J.J. Gittes in the movie Chinatown may have been up to the task, but a modern PI has a lot of legal liability to ponder while he's sipping that java in his surveillance vehicle at o' dark thirty. It's 2015, there's a lot of under paid attorneys as well as hungry assistant DA's who would love to litigate a PI for any funny business.

What in your opinion is the single most corrupt industry in the US? How about the single most corrupt city or State?

Asked by car ramrod about 9 years ago

I really only know about CA, and don't have any insight in terms of who's who on the corruption list. I have had some fraud cases come my way for assignment. Since I do workers comp, I can attest to this, I've seen police and fire unions protect a lot of bad eggs, when I say bad, I mean personnel who really should be working but are instead on the injured list year after year making the same paycheck. Any organization that polices itself with little oversight tends to be headed for trouble.

What's are some laws that PI's like you are bound by that frequently get ignored by shadier PI's? Is it frustrating to have to abide by them when you know others in your field don't?

Asked by WFEE about 9 years ago

Yes. The most common is unlicensed activity in California. In California, someone who wants a PI license must have at least 6,000 hours of verifiable experience with a licensed PI firm or have law enforcement experience equivalent to that. I must say, I saw a lot of licensed firms hiring unlicensed contractors back in 2008-2012, when the economy was in the tank. I don't think it's as bad now, but it is a bit of an issue still, mostly because those unlicensed "investigators" tend to charge much less than the average industry rate. In all honesty, a lot of unlicensed investigator do a great job, they're ambitious and usually just want the case experience to get their own shop. But, they are in a sense taking away potential business from guys who have a legit license.

What's your biggest "miss"? Maybe something you still can't believe you didn't pick up on at the time, or you let slip through your fingers?

Asked by shot22 about 9 years ago

The fact that affordable high quality micro undercover cameras really weren't available until pretty recently, like 2008-ish. There would have been a lot more candid moments caught on video...so that's my biggest "miss". I remember starting out in the industry with this big 8mm video camera called the Sony High-8. Most typical PIs had the standard "beeper" camera attachment, which was a beeper with a hidden cam wired to a fanny pack, it was absolutely huge! You'd have to be really creative with that thing to not have people become suspicious. Now days, we have "throw away cams" like the CamstickPro which are basically cheap micro-SD cams that fit in your pocket for under $40 bucks.

What are the most common reasons you'll get hired? Cheating spouses? Corporate espionage? Lost relatives?

Asked by Schmitty about 9 years ago

You nailed it, all 3 actually! Very good. In that order too. You must have gone to detective school. Cheating is the most common (and requires the most 'hand-holding' in terms of client relations). The second is definitely bug sweeps, at least for this private eye, mostly business clients. They want their office swept to find out if anyone planted anything. In all actuality, the most I've ever found is a hidden voice recorder that is set on a "voice-activation" feature. Usually it's an employee that know he/she will be fired and they plant it in the bosses office or conference room to record their exit interview and or firing. The ex-employee will bait the employer/boss into saying something discriminating and the ex-employee will then send it to their employment attorney, basically trying to blackmail the employer into settling a potential lawsuit. Dirty stuff, huh! Lost relatives are kinda hit and miss for the most part, a lot of these relatives really don't want to be "found", there was usually a falling-out or something involving money that didn't really go as planned. Or the person hiring me wants to get that relative to sign over authority on a will, usually 90% of the time it's greed based, they need the relative to sign some kind of document that will benefit the client. Sad to say, but it's true. The other 10% are totally legit and the family member is just worried about them and wants to help or re-connect.

Favorite coffee for late night shifts? (And you ever do energy drinks or Adderall instead?)

Asked by ama about 9 years ago

7 Eleven Hazelnut seems to be my fave these days. Also a fan of Winchell's coffee, plus you get to smell donuts every time you walk in (added bonus). I must admit, energy drinks can be kinda fun. I only have an energy drink if I'm headed out of town for a case. Palm Springs or San Fransisco, something like that.

Do you ever wrestle with the question of whether you're one of the "good guys"? A cop is always supposed to be on the side of morality and justice, right? So who's side are YOU on, or is the answer just "whoever's paying me at the moment"?

Asked by elliotballer1 about 9 years ago

Good question! I've definitely thought about this from time to time. In my honest opinion, it really is a personal and ethical decision for the individual PI to make for himself/herself. It's always been a "gray" occupation with little oversight or guidance. I will say this, I have declined cases because of ethical issues. I had this one guy try and hire me to take photos of a person running for city council. The guy wanted to make posters out of my photos and slander the neighbor with an advertising campaign against him. I smiled and said to him, "this one isn't for me". I ended up seeing the posters a week later, so I guess another PI took the gig.

Does the law recognize a PI-client confidentiality, or could you ever be called to testify in court or have your docs subpoenaed?

Asked by Derek about 9 years ago

It depends on the state. Here in California we have The Private Investigator's Act which makes it a requirement for the PI to keep the client's case confidential. Yes, a PI can be called to testify in any legal matter (civil or criminal). The "pi/client" privilege is similar to a "doctor/patient" privilege. Which means you may have to reveal certain case details if the court feels those details are in the interest of justice. It will never trump the "attorney/client" privilege. An attorney NEVER has to reveal anything about his client. Attorneys have the highest client privilege in the American legal system.

What's the craziest story you can share from the PD trenches?

Asked by Gail about 9 years ago

I got invited to an after hours party after a wedding that I attended as an undercover workers comp investigator. This group of people from the groom's side thought I was the bride's cousin from out of town. It was all a big mix up because of a grandparent who kept telling people I was her cousin and that I was single and needed to be fixed up with a girl. It was hilarious, I just rolled w/ it. I never lied about my reason being there, because no one ever asked. I just smiled and blended in. It was a great story to tell the other surveillance guys I worked w/ at the time.

I just read the PD in the Wolf of Wall Street, Bo Dietl, was actually the real-life PD for Jordan Belfort, and playing himself in the movie. Was he a known guy in PD circles before the movie? And how realistic was the movie's portrayal do you think?

Asked by PD about 9 years ago

I think this guy was a bit before my time, I've never heard of him. I've never seen the movie either. Try snooping around on some PI forums, some of them are open to the public to ask Q&A.

Could someone take out a restraining order against you, thereby essentially making it impossible for you to keep them under surveillance?

Asked by Sam Charmin about 9 years ago

Probably. But they'd need a reason and be able to prove it. I have the luxury of not having a 9 to 5 job, so I can show up in court any day of the week and appeal it. The plaintiff can be cited for "lack of prosecution" from the judge if they can't prove their case. I may not have to do a thing but show up and dispute the prosecution's case. Remember, the plaintiff needs to prove their case, not the defendant.

What did you do for work before becoming a PI, and why'd you decide to leave it to be a detective? Was it always a dream job for you?

Asked by unikitty about 9 years ago

I was a meter reader for a utility company. In all honesty, my GF at the time saw a flyer posted at her campus and gave it to me. I submitted my resume and got a call. The rest is history. It was never my dream job, I don't think anyone as a kid wants to become a PI. It kinda just happens, that's life, it swings you in a certain direction and you either go with it or not.

When do you have a duty to report something to the police? What if a clients says "I want you to find this guy Dave, and then I'm gonna kill him"? So you prob don't take that case (right?), but do you have to report it?

Asked by Derek about 9 years ago

Private detectives aren't sworn law enforcement, clinicians or social workers, so technically we don't have a "duty" to report. You use your own judgment, a lot of the time people are frustrated with their situation and sometimes say things they don't mean. But if you feel those hairs sticking up in the back of your neck...it's time to make that call. The cops will usually have the PI come down to the station and game plan the sting. There was one of these in the news a few years back. After being briefed by law enforcement, the PI met up with the client in his car and had an audio recorder rolling. Once the client handed over payment, the cops swooped in and arrested her.

What's it like having to deliver bad news to someone (aka your wife's screwing this other guy) and do you try and be sympathetic or always maintain a detached professional demeanor?

Asked by Dallas Cowboys about 9 years ago

Very eloquently put! Usually, you just gauge the client and get an idea of their personality from the initial consult. Some clients are no bullshit, they just want the facts. Some clients need a little more sensitivity. Men like being kept up to date constantly on the progress w/ the case and want the facts as they come in. Women are much more passive, they usually want to wait until there is confirmed cheating and they always want to see what "the other woman" looks like. Even if their man is cheating, they have a hard time believing he did it with malice or they blame themselves for something that went wrong in the relationship. Women are great to work with, 90% of the women I had as clients were very classy and took the news very well, they prepared themselves for the worst before they picked up the phone to call me.

What's the most dangerous place you've had to work in? If you're white, have you ever had to do investigative work in a predominantly black neighborhood and wouldn't you stick out like, uh…..a lot?

Asked by Fibs about 9 years ago

The city I felt was the most "dangerous" was City Terrace & Boyle Heights in E. Los Angeles near the 10 fwy. They're very small in square mileage and have issues w/ rival gangs. Because Hispanic gangs are very old school and traditional, they've kept the same boundaries throughout the years, so it's easy to be walking and cross over into territory by mistake. You have to have a "uniform" (gang clothing, cop clothing, religious clothing) or you'll pretty much be a victim after dark if you're by yourself.

How much do you charge, and do you work hourly or per-project? Do you charge extra if you dig up what a client was looking for?

Asked by ad about 9 years ago

I usually charge an hourly rate....but I have been known to charge a "flat rate". It usually depends on the case and how confident I feel I can get the client results. I won't say how much I charge, but I will say that it's within the industry standard. Usually, I break it down into 3 categories. Surveillance, bug sweeps and locating people. That's the "Big 3" in my line of work. It really depends on what kind of case you have that determines the hourly rate and/or "flat rate" for the case.

Has anyone ever hired a detective to follow YOU?

Asked by cake about 9 years ago

Not that I know of, but anything's possible. Whenever a PI takes a case, he never knows who the client will tell. You hope and pray they keep quiet about things (at least until the case is resolved). I've had a client's macho brother show up to a surveillance location in his lifted truck because he couldn't control his emotions. I remember calling the client, asking her if it's ok that I update her brother on the case. She said yes, so I approached the brother and calmed him down. Letting him know I would keep him in the loop throughout the night. He ended up leaving and thankfully saved the case from disaster. A large aspect of PI work is about managing people and their situation. There are cases when you end up working both sides (like getting an interview from a victim who was injured by the defendant, who has now hired you) so having a customer service oriented attitude can really work wonders.

So what's your hourly rate, and is it roughly in line with other PIs?

Asked by ad about 9 years ago

My hourly rate is within the industry rate. The hourly and/or flat rate tends to depend on the type of case, ie: bug sweep, surveillance, subpoena service. In my experience, the average rate is between $50 to $125 per hour. If the PI offers services in an area where there are not many PIs, they may charge more. Lie detector rate is a bit different, usually $350 per person w/ an average of 8 to 12 lie detector questions asked.

What do you think the biggest difference is between law enforcement and private investigator type work is?

Asked by 911 over 3 years ago

How can I tell if someone has put a "bug" or GPS tracker in my car?

Asked by stephanie over 5 years ago

I found a pic on a hookup site of who I believe to be my wife. The image is photoshopped, but I am 99% positive that it's her. She has a tattoo that was edited out with airbrush. I was able to bring out the outline of it. Is there a better way?

Asked by Johnny Ford over 3 years ago

Have you ever had a "eureka" moment where you make some connection or crack a case in the middle of the night or doing something unrelated??

Asked by Dhot about 9 years ago

Tips for doing a pretext call? I’m the victim of an assault & I’ve been asked by the detective assigned to my case to do a pretext call to try to get the perpetrator to confess, or at least say something incriminating, since I know them personally.

Asked by Daya over 3 years ago

I work hard but there is no result in biceps so please help me and guide me

Asked by Shaksham over 7 years ago

What are the requirements to being a PI? Is it different than being a police detective?

Asked by PINTERESTED about 6 years ago

Have you ever spied on a tweaker?

Asked by They have a really good right now in my order I have had been great and I have been a great person for the long wait time they have had been a lot worse than they about 5 years ago

There is something wrong in this house. Every night or early every morning at about 3:35amm,there is a rolling sound over my head.it sound like something heavy being pushed.up and down the length of the house or the floor of whole house vibrates.Why?

Asked by Helpme about 7 years ago

In a missing child case from say thirty years ago, the parents and younger sibling are around, who gets the call first if someone confesses? the parents, right? would it EVER be the son instead? (I'm writing a screenplay LOL) Thanks!!

Asked by Tully Archer over 1 year ago

How difficult is it to investigate law enforcement misconduct or negligence without upsetting the wrong people or stepping on toes? What are some guidelines to have a productive investigation and cooperation and what happens if you don't? what next?

Asked by Lina N Lete over 5 years ago

Can a family member from Cali sew another states sheriff's dept if they have a claim to a wrongful death, say to their child or sibling? or a death due to negligence or misconduct? with proof from audio/dvr media?

Asked by Lina N Lete over 5 years ago

Would it be possible to locate someone with just a first name, an address from 20 years ago and the middle school they attended?

Asked by Kevin over 5 years ago

I has an arrest 12 years ago and it was dismissed, no conviction. If i got my records expunged, are private investigators undergoing background checks still able to find information about that or is that private info?

Asked by Susan over 1 year ago

I'm trying to reconnect with an old friend and was curious if a p.i. would be able to find this information

Asked by Kevin over 5 years ago

WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN SIR

Asked by Diane about 4 years ago

Does the lead detective on a first degree murder case suppose to be the one doing the picture lineup or is it suppose to be a detective that is not on the case doing the lineup to the witness?

Asked by Juanita over 4 years ago

What kinds of cases do you work most frequently and what is one of the most interesting cases you have worked (without giving away confidential info obviously)

Asked by Alex over 4 years ago

Do city police see PI's as a nuisance, or are you generally pretty cooperative with each other? I'd imagine you don't ALWAYS have the same interests at heart…

Asked by Jose about 9 years ago

Do you have any prior law enforcement experience?

Asked by Alex over 4 years ago

If you are taken to court for misdemeanor of a minor, but lawyer didn't present all documents. What would you do?

Asked by Jane over 3 years ago

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Asked by seo training classes almost 6 years ago

What are the math classes and other classes you had to take in college?

Asked by Kassi about 5 years ago

Hi ThePIGuy, I am a non-Private Investigator layman and I am curious if I need a Private Investigator to verify if a person has: a military background, false birth certificate, death certificate and a false or new identity?

Thanks,

Asked by rgjun about 3 years ago

Do PIs use hearing aides to listen in on conversations and phone calls

Asked by Jimmy almost 5 years ago

Hi, would you look over a couple pictures, from a website, of someone who is supposedly dead (i'm not convinced) and give me your opinion? Nothing explicit. My email is asterisk802@aim.com

Asked by Edward over 3 years ago

How do you find out if someone is legit and get a background check on them ? This person is giving me the creeps or i wouldnt have asked

Asked by Hope over 3 years ago

Can you obtain an inmates visitor's list from a prison?

Asked by Michele almost 9 years ago

Can u obtain a visitor's list from my boyfriend in prison

Asked by Michele almost 9 years ago

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Hi i have a friends whos dad has a order of protection on and he calls him often. His dad never reported him but hes qorried if the cops pull his phone records hell be arrested. Is this true? What and would happen to him?

Asked by James kim almost 5 years ago

Is their anyway you could find out to identify private callers who call multiple times

Asked by Black cherry 49 10 months ago

How many cases are you typically working on at any one time?

Asked by ADQ about 9 years ago

Did Epstein kill him self?

Asked by Sjsjjs over 4 years ago

How many question can i ask i just want to know and its about cheating boyfriend

Asked by Yazmin over 7 years ago

What are legal actions of PI? Can you follow a IRS agent? and try to find his or her real name and properties they own and things they do in search for where they are breaking the law?

Asked by Martin over 4 years ago

Did you ever had to call the Police for Help if a Situation got dangerous?

Asked by Lenavog85 over 6 years ago

Can a PI access information about the existence of a confidential marriage license in the state of California ?

Asked by Preston 5 months ago

Actually, do you even answer any questions anymore?

Asked by Preston 5 months ago

I've been threatened and blackmailed

Asked by Rowan Kalmbach almost 4 years ago

You are a Lieutenant and have been dispatched to an active crime scene by your Chief. It is a suspected homicide in the woods. Unidentified young female with what appears to be multiple stab wounds.

You have four detectives, two sergeants and 12 officers at your disposal to secure and process the crime scene. You must assign tasks. Please keep in mind the crime scene will extend from this wooded area to any suspect’s or the victim’s; home, work, vehicle and really anywhere you have jurisdiction.

Families must be interviewed, prints run, photos taken, evidence collected. Your challenge is to manage the scene correctly.

Write out your plan here.

Asked by Nana. about 5 years ago

What is the profit model of jobstr.com?

Asked by 21cboss almost 9 years ago

I would like to know if it is legal in Texas for a detective to come into a restaurant ask the person in question to come with the detective, then the detective puts them in a squad car in cuffs and questions them? Is this legal?

Asked by Carley almost 7 years ago

Hi,

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Asked by Nena almost 4 years ago

What's the biggest myth people have about what it's like to be a private detective?

Asked by Pat about 9 years ago

How can I find someone’s divorce records & owners of vehicles ?

Asked by CJ almost 3 years ago

I am from Peru. 10 years ago I entered the USA from Juarez. first time, they Caught me.I told the officer that I was from mexico, give false name. they send me back to mexico. IS THIS A DEPORTATION? was my first , only apprehencion

Asked by carlos about 7 years ago

Is there any way to figure out the identity of someone from a dating site where you pay for membership?

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Can a private investigator look at crime scene evidence once it has been collected by the police? I am writing a story about a p.i. and this may be a key plot point.

Asked by Paul about 2 years ago

I bet you had cases where one of the family had gambling problems, how did they react afterwards?My brother is one of the addicted, he always play here http://www.slotozilla.com/.

Asked by RickSlot over 6 years ago

I know my husband has been messing with my mental health he put speakers inside the walls and broke into my phone with his girlfriend @ I used the radar apps from my phone I sound crazy but I'm not! What should I do

Asked by Liz over 4 years ago

Hi, writer here. If a respectable/connected man alleged that a limping woman asked for help during a hike, only to kidnap his niece at gun point after the child disappeared on his watch, would cops ever believe him? (Child is permanently missing.)

Asked by Laurel over 3 years ago

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Asked by Mike Gardez over 5 years ago

How can I get and debug myself and my vehicle of unapproved and unwanted spy bugs placed by other people?

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Asked by Comfortably yours! Econolodge, the best budget hotel in New York over 5 years ago

Is there a person at the police department that can help me with getting rid of unwanted devices used to listen and talk in my vehicle

Asked by Lucinda sears almost 5 years ago

Hello,
I have researched an open case which has been open for 18 years. The police cannot release information to the public because the case is open. Can a PI have access to this information? In this case, even the 911 call was never made public.

Asked by Laurence almost 2 years ago