Due Diligence

Investigation Teaches a Business Lesson to an Unsuspecting Teen

Parenting is a tough job, especially when you want to protect your child and she is a very headstrong teen who thinks she understands everything about the way the world works. At least that was the comment from a worried parent who called . Katy* got her first job at the local ice cream shop and she was so excited. She had visions of money and freedom and a chance to get her own car. Her mom, Sandra* was equally as happy. She felt this was a good step for her 16-year-old daughter to learn the value of working for your money and the responsibility of a job. However, shortly after she started, Sandra was getting “weird” feelings about the job. When she talked with [...]

Employment Background Checks Help Spot Fake Diplomas

In a tough job market, job searchers can become desperate and willing to do anything to get a job – including lying about their education with fake diplomas obtained from non-existent universities. To keep from getting duped and facing future consequences, employers need to conduct thorough background investigations on potential employees to detect the phonies before hiring and training them. Unfortunately, fraud is rampant in the employment market with fake degrees on the rise. Google “fake degree” and hundreds of websites offering diplomas pop up. These “diploma mills” sell job applicants high school, bachelor’s, master’s or doctoral degrees, or professional certifications with transcripts for a flat fee. The diploma often requires little, if any, course work and awards a degree based solely on the person’s [...]

Investigation Proves You Can’t Be in Two Places at One Time

In the investigative business, one day is never like the next. At , we happen to like the fact that we might work with a few insurance companies, to find the truth about suspected insurance fraud and then go directly to a case involving suspected employee embezzlement. From there, it’s not a bit unusual for us to then help an attorney locate a missing heir or find unknown heirs. We also frequently work with both sides of a court case. Sometimes it’s the prosecutor’s office. But on other occasions, we get a call from a defense attorney. Not long ago, a defense attorney contacted about a high-profile case. In many ways, the media had already got the ball rolling in regard to publicly trying and [...]

How Does Your Attorney Get the Answers?

Early days of investigative work usually included some dumpster diving and some physical surveillance (with the identified subject usually being a cheating spouse). But those early days in a private investigator’s life have dramatically expanded. Thanks to technology, investigators have developed an impressive variety of skills and abilities. In the office, our research specialists, computer forensics specialists, online social media specialists and so many other professionals are absolutely some of the top professionals. With that said, has a close professional relationship with the courts and law enforcement officials. Our confidentiality code, coupled with trust and respect allows our investigators to very confidently take on all kinds of cases. Here are just a few ways our investigators can assist an attorney: Locate and interview witnesses for [...]

Regardless of Gender, Background Investigations Should be Comprehensive and Accurate on Every Subject

Statically speaking, we know that more males than females are identified as sexual predators. Regardless of gender, anyone who expresses an interest in working as substitute teachers or coaches or reading tutors, school corporations conduct thorough background investigations. Overall, in many businesses and organizations, new employment opportunities often hinge on the results of employment background checks as well. Accountants, pilots, financial advisors and potential candidates for a CFO position for large companies are all great examples of times when employee background checks, including investigation of a person’s financial, criminal background search and employment history, must be thoroughly examined. Although reasonable, that same level of diligence is not applied to the employment background check involving a female. That was the case when a young woman in [...]

Is Your Work Environment Cultivating Theft by Employees?

Objectivity is the cornerstone to a private investigator’s work – and success in doing that work. As we discuss here at offices, uncovering the truth is based on facts. We don’t make judgments other than those that help us follow-up or lead us to conclusions to further an investigation. Good investigators are keen observers and study cause and effect as well as patterns and trends. In recognizing patterns we can anticipate what a subject might be likely to do and then be prepared. A good example is in the situation where we are contacted about possible theft by employees. By looking at the work environment we can often determine what kind of clues to look for. Theft in the workplace can include a variety of [...]

What DO Private Investigators DO?

It’s not unusual for furious people to call or visit . They aren’t furious with us, but with a situation and that is the reason they are contacting us. And sometimes with that fury comes an intent that we cannot service. For instance, one man recently came in with a situation that had him in a blind rage. He was red in the face and yelling. He knew an employee was stealing from his supply house and he wanted this employee stopped. He wanted us to, “threaten him with his job and intimidate him into confessing publicly.” We let him have his say and then we told him we would not, could not do as he requested. He stopped and told us he thought that [...]

Forensic Data Recovery Reveals the Culprit

When Marcus reflected back on how he felt a few months ago, before his attorney hired a private investigator, his knees felt weak. For a long time, Marcus feared that he might never be able to prove the truth. He feared that he might be unjustly sentenced to a prison term. He worried that he would lose his family and all that he worked for so many years to financially achieve. First, Marcus spent long hours searching for clues. He tried in vain to speak to detectives at the police department. But it seemed that everyone assumed he was guilty long before a trial date was even set. As the weeks rolled by, Marcus became more upset. He was frustrated and felt like he was [...]

Background Research Investigations Tell You Who You Are Hiring

The statistics on identity theft coming out are staggering and scary. Individuals are worried about losing control of their lives. Because authorities are overwhelmed with complaints, victims are usually sent away with the directive to come back once they have documentation of the culprit. has helped countless individuals and families get the intel and evidence they need in order to file charges and lawsuits. There is another side of identity theft that is infiltrating business. Applicants and successful candidates are not always who they say they are. References are friends and incriminating information is left out and hidden as well as possible. What is an employer to do? Due diligence is routine in establishing major new partnership, and should be the norm when hiring employees, [...]

Investigation Doesn’t Mend Broken Heart, But Finds Truth

When he and his first wife divorced, Kevin struggled to accept his new life as a single guy. After nearly 30 years together, his first wife left the marriage with no warning. Their children were grown and gone, busy building their own lives. Kevin spent a couple of miserable years alone, trying to make sense of how to be suddenly alone in his mid fifties. Then he met a great woman. For Kevin, it was love at first sight. Within three months, he and his new love, Anna, were married. Six months later, Kevin came in from work one afternoon to an empty house. Literally. Every single piece of furniture, even the kitchen appliances, everything was gone. Anna had left him, right in the middle of [...]

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