8 things to know before hiring a Private Investigator in Los Angeles!

1. Get a referral for a Private Investigator

It is likely that you will be sharing personal information with this person and so it is important to find someone that is really reliable and honest. Do as much research on the private investigator as possible. Ask trusted friends for recommendations and if you are Angie’s List member, you can search for any local consumer reviews on private investigators. You can also look on Yelp, but make sure they are not PAID advertisers, if so, Yelp is more lenient towards them in the rankings. You can, and should, also ask your potential private investigators for references you can call.

2. Check the Private Investigator’s license

The only states that don’t require licensing for private investigators are Idaho, Mississippi, South Dakota and Wyoming, and licensing is voluntary in Colorado. A professional private investigator will be able to give you their license number immediately and you can check it with your local municipality to make sure it’s valid Private Investigator license number, has a matching name to your private detective. You will be able to know if any complaints have been filed against them.

To verify a license in California, visit the Department of Consumer Affairs website at https://search.dca.ca.gov/

3. Ask about your Private Investigator’s experience and education

To make sure your job gets done right by your potential your Private Investigator in Los Angeles, finds a detective who specializes in the task you need. Ask about how much work they have done similar to what you want in the past and how those jobs worked out.

4. Consider whether your Private Investigator has insurance

Most serious private investigators are insured up to a few million dollars. While it’s not necessary for all jobs, if something were to happen during the course of the work, you, as the hirer, would be held liable if there was no insurance coverage for your Private Investigator in Los Angeles.

5. Talk about confidentiality with your Private Investigator

You are very likely dealing with sensitive information when you are working with a private investigator and you need to be sure your PI will be discreet and respectful of information shared between the two of you.

6. Feel comfortable with the private investigator

If you don’t feel like the private investigator communicates well with you or if they pressure you or make you feel uncomfortable in any way, you should probably choose a different private investigator to work with.

7. Get a contract with your Private Investigator

Your initial consultation with a private investigator should be free and from there, they should be able to outline anticipated cost. If you choose to follow through with the work, make sure all fees and expectations are clearly outlined in a contract. They should give you a fee agreement or retainer to sign.

8. Make sure you are prepared for what a private investigator may uncover!

You are hiring a private investigator to uncover something for you and especially when it involves people close to you, be sure you are ready for whatever the Private Investigator may find. You may hope the private investigator will prove your fears wrong, but be sure you can handle what they may turn up to prove your fears right before you hire their services.