In the first of an ongoing series looking at how you as an individual can know what to expect when hiring an investigator, we talked about setting goals, and having your questions ready to initiate the case in the smoothest manner.
The next issue we’re going to deal with are some potential red flags.
As previously discussed, it’s important to make sure you hire an investigator that is fully licensed by the Solicitor General under the Security Services and Investigators Act.
Unfortunately, within Alberta there are those who operate as a “private investigator” without going through this process, and as a client, if you hire one of these individuals, it potentially opens you up to potential civil or criminal charges if anything is done by the individual masquerading as an investigator that is illegal or unethical.
While the easiest way to ensure that the person you’re looking to hire is an investigator is to check yourself with the Solicitor General of Alberta, there are a few other red flags that should alert you that the potential investigator is not above board.
Will The Investigator Meet In Person?
Sometimes you are hiring an investigator in a different city, and it might not be feasible to meet in person. Most of the contact between you and the investigator will indeed be over the phone, and this is reasonable, especially if you are located in a smaller town but need something done in a larger city. In fact, many of our clients come from across North America.
We provide telephone consultations, but note we do bill for in-person consultation for individual clients. However if an investigator refuses to meet with you under any circumstances, this is a big red flag. An honest private investigator will not attempt to pull a cloak-and-dagger act, or say they can’t divulge their appearance or name to you.
Be Wary of Guarantees
A licensed investigator will always be 100% upfront that any outcome of an investigation cannot be guaranteed. There are so many variables that may potentially affect a case, that it cannot be promised that your goals will be met.
A professional investigator or firm will always be clear in the risks involved in the case, and how your desired outcome as a client might not be the one that comes to fruition.
An investigator deals in information, and if the information is simply not there, it cannot be obtained.
Anybody who guarantees an outcome is not working ethically within the investigation field. Be very wary of anybody saying they will 100% get you what you are looking for.