4 March 2022

How to Choose the Right Private Investigator

Hiring a private investigator usually means sharing sensitive details about your life, your family, or your business. It's worth taking a few minutes to make sure you're choosing the right one.

Confirm they're licensed

Licensing requirements vary by state, but a licensed investigator has met a baseline standard and can be held accountable through a state licensing board. Ask directly for their license number and which states they're licensed in.

Ask about experience with your type of case

Infidelity, asset searches, corporate investigations, and cybersecurity cases all call for different skills. An investigator who mainly handles domestic surveillance may not be the right fit for a complex financial investigation, and vice versa.

Expect a real consultation, not a sales pitch

A good investigator will ask thoughtful questions about your situation before quoting a plan, and should be upfront about what's realistic to find and what isn't. Be cautious of anyone who guarantees a specific outcome before hearing the details of your case.

Talk through communication and confidentiality

Ask how often you'll get updates, how findings will be delivered, and how your information will be protected. Confidentiality should be treated as a given, not an upsell.

Trust your read on them

You'll likely be sharing personal details over the course of the case. If something about the conversation feels off, it's worth talking to another firm before committing.