FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Clear answers before you begin.
We believe clients deserve to understand the process, scope, and limitations of investigative work before committing to anything. These questions address what we hear most often.
Getting Started
How do I know if I need a private investigator?+
If you have a specific factual question that cannot be answered through ordinary means — locating a person, verifying information, documenting activity, or researching assets — a private investigator may be able to help. The best first step is a brief, confidential conversation to clarify whether the matter falls within our scope.
What happens during the initial consultation?+
We ask you to describe the general objective — what question you need answered. We clarify the goal, identify any immediate safety or legal concerns, and explain whether the matter is within our scope. No sensitive details are required at this stage, and no commitment is made on either side.
Do you take every case?+
No. We review each matter for scope, jurisdiction, legal compliance, and available resources before accepting. We will be straightforward if a matter falls outside what we can responsibly handle — including cases where the objective is unclear, the jurisdiction is outside our coverage, or the requested methods would not be lawful.
How quickly can you begin work?+
Timelines depend on case complexity, current workload, and the time required to prepare a proper scope agreement. Straightforward matters can often begin within a few business days of a signed agreement. We do not begin work without written authorization.
Digital Forensics & Cybersecurity
What does digital forensics involve?+
Digital forensics is the lawful examination of digital devices, storage media, and online accounts to recover, preserve, and analyze electronic evidence. This may include deleted files, communication records, access logs, metadata, and device activity histories. All work is conducted within a defined scope and applicable law.
Can you recover deleted messages or files?+
In some cases, yes. The recoverability of deleted data depends on the device type, operating system, time elapsed since deletion, and whether the storage has been overwritten. We assess recoverability as part of the initial scope review and report findings honestly — including when recovery is not possible.
What cybersecurity investigation services do you offer?+
We assist clients who suspect unauthorized access to their accounts, devices, or networks. This includes reviewing access logs, identifying suspicious activity patterns, documenting evidence of intrusion, and supporting incident response. We do not conduct offensive security testing or penetration testing.
Can you investigate a data breach or unauthorized account access?+
Yes. We can review available logs, access records, and device activity to document what occurred, when, and — where the evidence supports it — how. Findings are presented in a structured report suitable for use by legal counsel or law enforcement referral.
Do you handle online harassment or stalkerware investigations?+
Yes. We assist clients who believe they are being monitored, tracked, or harassed online. This includes reviewing devices for stalkerware or unauthorized tracking applications, documenting harassment activity across platforms, and preparing evidence for law enforcement or legal proceedings.
Corporate Intelligence
What is corporate intelligence and how is it different from espionage?+
Corporate intelligence — also called competitive intelligence or business intelligence — involves the lawful gathering and analysis of information about markets, competitors, counterparties, and business risks. It relies entirely on public records, open sources, and lawful inquiry. It does not involve hacking, theft, deception, or any unlawful method. We do not conduct or support corporate espionage.
What kinds of corporate matters do you investigate?+
We assist organizations with due diligence on potential partners, vendors, or acquisition targets; background research on key individuals; asset and liability research; internal fraud or misconduct investigations; and competitive landscape analysis using open-source and public-record sources.
Can you investigate internal fraud or employee misconduct?+
Yes, within a defined scope and applicable employment law. Internal investigations require careful handling to preserve evidence, protect employee rights, and maintain legal defensibility. We recommend engaging legal counsel before beginning any internal investigation, and we work within the framework they establish.
Do you conduct due diligence for mergers and acquisitions?+
Yes. We provide investigative due diligence support — researching the background of key individuals, identifying undisclosed liabilities or legal history, verifying asset representations, and surfacing reputational or integrity concerns. Findings are documented in a structured report for use by legal and financial advisors.
Can you help identify the source of a leak or data theft?+
We can assist with internal leak investigations by reviewing access logs, communication patterns, and document handling records to narrow the field of likely sources. The scope, methods, and legal framework must be established with counsel before work begins.
Scope, Pricing & Process
How is pricing structured?+
Pricing depends on the nature and complexity of the matter, the methods required, the jurisdiction, and the estimated time involved. We provide a written estimate before work begins. Some matters are quoted at a fixed fee; others involve an hourly or daily rate with a defined retainer. We do not begin work without a written agreement that includes a fee structure.
Will you guarantee a specific result or outcome?+
No. Investigations can uncover useful information, but no responsible agency can guarantee a particular finding or outcome. Evidence may be limited, inconclusive, or absent. We explain the proposed scope and its realistic limits before work begins, and we report findings honestly — including when the evidence does not support a conclusion.
What does a typical engagement look like from start to finish?+
A typical engagement begins with a confidential consultation to define the objective. We then prepare a written scope agreement covering proposed methods, estimated fees, timeline, and reporting plan. Once signed, work begins. Progress updates are provided at agreed intervals. The engagement concludes with a written findings report and, where appropriate, supporting documentation.
How long does an investigation take?+
Timelines vary significantly by matter type. A targeted background inquiry may be completed in days. A complex surveillance or asset research matter may take several weeks. We provide a realistic timeline estimate in the scope agreement and communicate promptly if circumstances change.
Can your findings be used in court?+
Findings documented through lawful methods and properly preserved can often support legal proceedings. However, admissibility depends on jurisdiction, the nature of the evidence, and how it was obtained and handled. We recommend engaging legal counsel to assess evidentiary value before relying on our findings in any proceeding.
Confidentiality & Privacy
How do you protect my confidentiality?+
We handle all inquiries and case information with strict discretion. Case details are shared only with personnel directly involved in the matter. We explain our information-handling practices before work begins and establish a secure communication channel for sensitive discussions.
Is it safe to submit sensitive information through this website?+
Keep initial inquiries general. Do not include passwords, account numbers, Social Security numbers, financial records, or sensitive personal documents in any web form. Once we establish contact, we will set up a secure communication channel appropriate for the sensitivity of your matter.
Do you share case information with third parties?+
No, except as required by law or as explicitly authorized in writing by the client. We do not sell, share, or disclose case information to third parties for any commercial purpose.
STILL HAVE QUESTIONS?
Ask us directly.
If your question is not answered here, a brief confidential conversation is the fastest way to get clarity. We will tell you honestly whether we can help.
Start a confidential inquiry