The use of private investigators is on the rise, growing by more than 13% annually in the U.S., according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. If you are a business owner in the insurance, human resources, asset management, or legal services industry, there are many reasons you may wish to enlist the help of a private investigator.
In fact, having this trusted resource by your side can help you protect your investments, make better decisions, find the facts of a claim, and safeguard your company and your reputation on many levels.
While a contracted professional or firm can prove invaluable to protecting your interests – not all private investigators are alike. Here’s what to look for when selecting a partnering firm:
1. Licensed, Bonded, Insured
Most states require private investigators to be licensed, and for good reason. According to PInow, licensure “helps protect the industry from shady characters who would use the profession for their own personal gain or for other nefarious, criminal practices.”
In many locales, licensing assures that the investigator you are hiring is working in compliance with current laws, which can be vitally important, especially when you are hiring the investigator to surveil an employee.
Being bonded and insured is also important. As noted by industry experts, insurance is necessary for private investigators “because they are entrusted with the responsibility to protect people’s personal data and assets. A bond protects clients from being left without recourse in situations where an investigator may be irresponsible or negligent in their duties.”
2. Courtroom and Law Enforcement Battle Tested
These types of experiences are beneficial in any instance where the investigation you have launched winds up in a legal proceeding. Having a private investigator who has represented other clients in court – or has extensive experience in collecting evidence for law enforcement – will help ensure your own compliance with the law and better protect your interests should an investigation prompt any legal response from other parties involved.
3. Experienced in Your Industry
Familiarity with the innerworkings of your own industry can help the investigator approach his or her work from a more informed perspective. This means the right questions are being asked, the investigative work is being prioritized properly, and the discovery process is ultimately more efficient and complete. Past experience with similar businesses can help ensure that the services provided are aligned with your own unique needs and objectives.
4. Client-Centered
The work of a private investigator can be very sensitive. The personal information and contacts of any individual being surveilled will be accessed by this individual – on your behalf. So, be sure to check references thoroughly and verify that the firm brings to your company the reputation for integrity and confidentiality you would require of any internal employee or trusted advisor.
This individual or firm you hire should also have a track record of working closely with clients, with great attention to detail at every stage of an investigation. Whether researching job candidates, discovering assets, or tracking insider fraud, the stakes are high – and ultimately you are responsible for the investigative work being done.
5. Technologically Savvy
In the age of digital transformation, technology is invaluable to the investigative process. For example, private investigators routinely use public records databases, search apps, maps, hidden camera detection software, and even speech-to-text applications for easy notetaking while performing a search, according to Bit Rebels.
Valuable information that speaks to an individual’s character and behaviors can be gleaned from social media sites as well. More sophisticated technologies, including video recordings and GPS vehicle trackers, may be employed as well in certain instances to monitor the actions of individuals suspected of corporate fraud or other criminal activities.
Why Choose Subrosa
At Subrosa, we are there for you 24/7 as your trusted confidant and partner in business. As a full-service firm, we are licensed, bonded, and insured, and bring decades of experience to these and other core offerings:
- Asset Search and Recovery
- Due Diligence
- Pre-Employment Background Checks
- Personal Injury and Corporate Investigations
- Process Services
Licensed in Arizona, Illinois, Michigan, Wisconsin, and Indiana, our staff specializes in helping insurance companies, asset management firms, H.R. departments, law firms, and national organizations perform the due diligence they need to ensure that every hire they make and every business agreement they enter into is as represented, in full regulatory compliance – and aligned with their interests.
As your eyes and ears on the ground, we work behind the scenes to perform the detailed due diligence your business deserves. With Subrosa by your side, you can stay focused on running your business well, knowing that your employees, vendors, and other business partners are true to their word – and held accountable.
At Subrosa, respect is the cornerstone of everything we do. This means that your case is never just a number to us. And that everyone gets our respect. Our clients, our employees – and especially the people we investigate.
Because we take time to understand you, your goals, and business challenges, we can customize our approach and leverage our investigative skillset to ask deeper questions, uncover more data, and consider every potential outcome, so you are protected, empowered, and always compliant.
Discover the benefits of a personalized private investigation partner. Contact us for a free consultation today.
