Hiring a private detective
Red Flags When Hiring a Private Detective
Most detectives are professional. A few are not, and the wrong one can expose you to legal risk. These are the warning signs.
Key points
- Promises of guaranteed results
- Offers to get phone, bank or private account data
- No verifiable license or written agreement
Guarantees
Investigations uncover facts; they can't guarantee what those facts will be. Promises like "we'll catch them" or "we'll definitely find the money" are sales tactics.
Illegal methods offered as services
Offers to obtain phone records, bank statements, passwords or private messages, to put a tracker on someone else's car, or to "get into" an account are serious red flags. These methods can be crimes, and evidence obtained that way can be excluded and expose you to liability. See what detectives can legally do.
Licensing problems
No license where one is required, a license that can't be verified, or reluctance to share license details.
Vague pricing and pressure
No written estimate, unclear expenses, large non-refundable payments with no defined scope, or pressure to decide immediately.
Poor confidentiality
Discussing other clients' cases in detail, or casual handling of your information, suggests yours won't be protected either.
Common questions
What if a detective offers to get phone records?
Decline. Obtaining phone records by pretexting is illegal under federal law.
Is a large retainer a red flag?
Not necessarily. Retainers are common. The red flag is a retainer without defined scope or accounting.
What if I already hired someone questionable?
Stop the work, ask for an accounting and talk to an attorney about any evidence already gathered.
This guide is general information, not legal advice. Laws change and vary by state; consult an attorney about your situation. See our legal disclaimer.
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Keep reading
Related guides.
What Is Pretexting, and Why Is It Illegal?
What pretexting is, which federal laws prohibit it for phone and financial records, and why reputable detectives refuse to do it.
Hiring a private detectiveHow to Verify a Private Detective's License
How to verify a private detective's license: find the right state regulator, search the license, check status and discipline, and spot red flags.
Hiring a private detective15 Questions to Ask Before Hiring a Private Detective
The questions to ask a private detective before you hire: licensing, approach, cost, timing, reporting, confidentiality and legal limits.
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