When Should a Polygraph be Used?

Polygraph testing is used by many companies. Understanding where and when to use polygraphs is a must for any business looking for answers.

People lie all the time, and as law enforcement officials have known for a long time, when people lie, they often show it in some way. When being dishonest, some people avoid eye contact, others fidget, and others break into a sweat. Polygraph tests take this basic concept and create a measurable way of recording people’s reactions to questions. A polygraph tests respiration, blood pressure, heart rate, and skin conductivity while the subject is being asked specific questions. By comparing the body’s response to specific questions, polygraph examiners can verify the truthfulness of what a subject is saying.

Cases in which to use polygraph testing

There are a number of cases when polygraph testing is used:

• For criminal and civil cases. In some cases related to civil lawsuits or criminal trials, hard evidence is not always available – or not always enough. Polygraph testing is sometimes used to bolster evidence or to determine the trustworthiness of a witness. In many states, polygraph examiners are allowed to testify in criminal and civil cases. Police often use the polygraph in investigations across the country, but by law no one can be forced to take the test. By law, refusal to take the test cannot affect a case’s outcome.

• For pre-employment screening. Government agencies hiring employees for sensitive jobs will often use polygraph screening to select candidates.

• For issues related to homeland security. The Central Intelligence Agency, Federal Bureau of Investigation, National Security Agency, and other federal bodies charged with the nation’s security routinely use polygraphs to uncover crimes and threats against the nation.

• For commercial theft investigations. Businesses concerned about fraud and employee theft may be able to turn to the polygraph to gauge employee honesty and loyalty to the company.

• For the monitoring of sex offenders. In many states, it is now compulsory for sex offenders to undergo polygraph testing before being considered for parole or probation. In some cases, testing is also used to monitor sex offenders. Since these offenders can often re-offend without anyone learning about it for some time, polygraph testing is seen as one way to determine whether a criminal has been rehabilitated or not.

• By banks. Since bank employees often are responsible for or have access to large amounts of money and other valuables, polygraph testing is used by some to determine employee honesty and in order to run internal investigations.

Many people use polygraph testing: law enforcement agencies, the government, public defenders, attorneys, U.S. and district attorneys offices, parole and probation departments, and companies authorized under the Employee Polygraph Protection Act of 1988 (EPPA).

A free polygraph test resource for businesses

Companies wanting to use polygraph testing themselves need to proceed with extreme caution. While the test is legal, it is highly controversial and must be done completely legally. If not done correctly, a polygraph test can cost a business a great deal in legal costs and in lost reputation. To find an investigative professional who can go beyond the results of a polygraph and to find investigators experienced as polygraph examiners, businesses need look no further than the PInow.com Worldwide Directory of Private Investigators. The PInow.com Worldwide Directory of Private Investigators lets businesses look for polygraph experts in their area and even offers free polygraph resources and useful information.

Pahoa Hawaii Investigator

The PInow.com team would like to welcome their newest investigator in Hawaii.

Aloha Investigations primarily serves the islands of Oahu and Hawaii (The Big Island). We are able to conduct investigations on other outer islands (Kauai, Maui, Lanai, Molokai).

Visit their PInow.com profile page for more info: Aloha Investigations

Saint Paul Minnesota Private Investigator

The PInow.com team would like to welcome their newest investigator in Minnesota.

Collins Investigations LLC provides investigative services through St Paul, MN.

For more information please see the PInow Profile Page for: Collins Investigations LLC

Wrongful Death Investigators Help Get Fairer Settlements

Wrongful death lawsuits are very common. These lawsuits need to be filed within a specific timeframe in order to be successful. Time and evidence are essential in cases such as these, and a private investigator can be the best investment a plaintiff can make.

A wrongful death lawsuit usually occurs when a person causes a death through negligence. In some cases, the lawsuit arises when someone can be held liable for a death – whether or not it can be proven that negligence resulted in the death. Only specific people can file this sort of lawsuit. In almost all cases, only specific beneficiaries – usually a surviving spouse or child who was dependent on the deceased – can file a claim. In most states, wrongful death lawsuits are meant to help people recover the money that a deceased person would have earned if not for their death. These civil cases, therefore, are often about settlements, and the amount of money involved in these cases is quite large.

According to the U.S. Department of Justice, almost 65% of wrongful death cases are medical malpractice cases. Automobile cases account for about 16% of wrongful death suits, with premises liability and product liability also accounting for some portion of wrongful death suits. Most wrongful death claims in court take place by jury trial.

In most cases, plaintiffs seek damages in wrongful death suits to cover loss and suffering, lost income, medical bills, and other costs or money losses associated with a death. In most states, wrongful death lawsuits must be filed within a specific time of the death that has occurred. With a limited time frame, there are lots of reasons why taking the time to hire a professional investigator is one of the smartest things that a plaintiff can do:

• An investigator can tell you whether there is enough evidence to launch your lawsuit before you invest all the time and money needed to file a wrongful death case in the first place.

• To build a solid lawsuit, plaintiffs need a number of things. They need to be eligible to bring launch a wrongful death suit, they need to have enough evidence to prove that the defendant caused the death; they need a good strategy to settle the case. Of these needs, evidence is essential. Without evidence, it will be hard to show that the defendant caused the death. The evidence, moreover, needs to be very solid. The defendant will try very hard to prove that he or she did not cause the death and they only need to introduce reasonable doubt to ensure that the plaintiff gets no settlement. Hiring a private investigator is one way to ensure that the evidence for a fair settlement is present in the courtroom.

• An investigator can even out the power imbalance that can occur in these cases. In many wrongful death lawsuits, the plaintiff is facing a company or insurance company in court, and these companies have almost unlimited resources in terms of investigators and money. Unfortunately, the power inequity can get in the way of justice. Hiring a private investigator, on the other hand, can give the plaintiff access to evidence that can secure a fair settlement.

• In many cases, wrongful death lawsuits involve settlements that approach or exceed a million dollars. This is a lot of money – money that can be used to help the plaintiff build a new life. An investigator can help uncover the evidence needed to ensure that the plaintiff gets the best settlement – and the best future -- possible.

• Some plaintiffs choose to represent themselves in court in order to gain more control over the case. In these instances, there may be no attorney or law firm available to gather medical evidence, police reports, background information about the parties involved, witness testimony, physical evidence, expert evidence, and other evidence needed for the lawsuit. In these instances, a professional investigator is the best way to gather this information.

• Wrongful death lawsuits are often only the beginning. Even when plaintiffs are rewarded large settlements, collecting the money can be difficult. A professional investigator with judgement recovery experience can help ensure that a plaintiff is not only awarded a settlement – but also that the plaintiff actually gets the settlement they need to rebuild their life.

Plaintiffs facing a wrongful death suit or considering a wrongful death case have no time to lose. That’s why turning to the PInow.com Worldwide Directory of Private Investigators is such a good idea. The PInow.com Worldwide Directory of Private Investigators lets anyone find local, experienced investigators that can help immediately. Plus, the PInow.com Worldwide Directory of Private Investigators even has free wrongful death resources that can help a plaintiff make sense of their case.

About PInow.com
PInow.com (http://www.pinow.com/) is a Worldwide Directory of Private Investigators that enables law firms, corporations and the general public to find investigators anywhere. PInow.com strives to be the most trusted resource on the web to locate qualified investigators. All investigators listed on PInow.com are pre-screened and must meet specific listing requirements.

PInow.com was developed by the team that brought you the ServeNow.com Process Servers Directory (http://www.serve-now.com/).

Visit PInow.com to find investigators who can help with all your investigation needs.

Do You Need An Accident Investigator?

After a car accident, there are many situations that can require an accident investigator. Hiring a professional investigator in these instances can ensure justice and a fairer settlement.

In March 2006, a Seattle teenager hired a forensic investigator to prove that a Sheriff's deputy caused a car accident for which she was blamed. While not every car accident victim hires an accident investigator to prove their case, many victims could empathize with the teen. The deputy had a long record of disciplinary problems but the Sheriff’s office refused the teen’s version of events – a version supported by many witnesses – and refused to conduct an internal investigation of the problem.

Unfortunately, car accidents claim more than 40,000 lives in the U.S. each year. In 2003 alone, more than 2.9 million injuries were reportedly caused by car accidents. Even though many states have passed “no fault” laws that try to keep the amount of lengthy lawsuits to a minimum, many car accidents do eventually end up in court. Partly, this stems from the fact that many car accident – up to 90%, according to some statistics – are caused by driver negligence and so are not really “accidents” at all.

Many people see an attorney when they are involved in an accident that leads to loss of life or personal injury, but there are instances when hiring an investigator as well as an attorney makes sense:

1. If evidence from the attorney is unsatisfactory. Most legal professionals and insurance companies hire their own investigators. However, some victims may be unsatisfied with the evidence an attorney’s investigator comes up with. If what the victim knows about an accident differs from the official findings about the accident, hiring an investigator ensures that the victim remains in control of the investigation and gets the answers they need.
2. If the accident is expected to result in a large settlement. If the victim requires a settlement in order to pay for medical expenses, time lost at work, damage, or other expenses that insurance will not cover, hiring an investigator helps ensure that the victim has the evidence in hand in order to get a fair settlement.
3. The accident involves someone in an important position. As with the Seattle teenager, accidents sometimes involve someone who is in power. In these cases, investigations from official sources may be slightly skewed or may be denied entirely in order to protect the important individual. Hiring an investigator helps ensure that politics or money do not affect the victim’s right to justice.
4. The victim is being sued after an accident. In these cases, an investigator may be needed in order to protect the victim’s interests. In these cases, an investigator can offer a degree of protection from inflated interest rates and from frivolous legal action.
5. The accident was caused by neglect. If the victim believes that someone has caused accidents by neglect, a private investigator can gather evidence to prove this. This can help ensure a fairer settlement and can help ensure that the same person does not cause another accident through neglect again.
6. The victim is having trouble collecting insurance for an accident. In cases where it appears that insurance companies are stalling or defrauding the victim of the money that the victim deserves, an investigator can help get the insurance payout.

What an investigator can do

There are many things that an accident investigator cannot do. They cannot turn back the clock and ensure that an accident does not take place. On the other hand, they can ensure that victims have the evidence they need to show what really happened in an accident. An accident investigator can reconstruct the scene of an accident and show exactly what happened, step by step. A private investigator with accident reconstruction experience can also act as an expert witness in court.

The PInow.com Worldwide Directory of Private Investigators can help accident victims find local investigators with experience. Plus, the PInow.com Worldwide Directory of Private Investigators offers free accident investigation resources that can help victims understand their situation so that they can make the right decisions for them.

Electronic Surveillance -- How is it affecting your Life?

Electronic surveillance in its many forms is everywhere today, potentially creating greater safety for the public and for companies. Knowing how and where to use this type of surveillance can help individuals and companies make the right security decisions.

While plenty of people are aware of the fact that there are video cameras monitoring them inside of stores and banks, few people give much thought to the role that electronic surveillance plays in everyday life. However, there's no doubt that e-surveillance has proliferated in recent years, with the federal government making moves to monitor more correspondence and personal information exchange in the private sector, and more companies seeking added steps to protect against fraud and theft.

In 2003, Enron executives certainly had their lives affected by electronic surveillance. In that year, the U.S. Federal Energy Regulatory Commission posted e-mail from Enron on its website. Outside surveillance does not always have to be that dramatic, either. Every day, without realizing it, someone may be reading someone else's personal e-mail, listening into a conversation, or reading correspondence meant for someone else's eyes only.

What is e-surveillance?

Electronic surveillance simply means using electronic devices -- such as GPS technology, surveillance cameras, digital cameras, wiretapping devices, computer software, and other tracking technology, to monitor or view someone else or someone else's private communications. With the level of technology available today, virtually every aspect of a person’s life can be monitored. GPS devices can usually tell someone where an individual is and how quickly they are traveling, computer surveillance can tell someone what an individual is writing and viewing online, and video surveillance can reveal what someone is doing at any moment in time. Thanks to live feeds, remote technology, and satellites, this information can be beamed around the world to virtually anyone interested in receiving the information.

How is it used?

While the explosion of electronic surveillance in recent years -- partly thanks to better technology, more discrete technology, and cheaper devices -- has led some to accuse companies and the government of Orwellian-like Big Brother tactics, there is little doubt that this type of remote surveillance is extremely useful. Homeowners can now use an e-surveillance and video devices to monitor their homes, even when they are away. Nanny cams and other video surveillance devices can ensure that children are safe, even when parents are away. Companies, rightly worried about the billions of dollars lost to fraud and theft each year, can easily monitor employees to ensure that employees do their job and remain honest in the workplace.

Using technology responsibly

Now that electronic surveillance devices -- including GPS trackers, video cameras, and computer surveillance programs -- are within the price range of many individuals, though, everyone needs to be aware of the laws surrounding electronic surveillance. While a homeowner may not need special permission to video monitor their home for security purposes, employers need to tread carefully to avoid messy lawsuits involving invasion of privacy. Even homeowners may get themselves into trouble if a security camera inadvertently leads to a termination of the caregiver's job.

With more and more individuals sensitive about the level of privacy that they enjoy in the modern world, anyone who's thinking of using electronic surveillance needs to set up their surveillance system in a completely legal way. That way, if the surveillance does catch illegal activity or a problem, there's less risk of a lawsuit and more probability that the information the surveillance has captured would stand up in court, if needed. Smart homeowners, employers, and individuals are turning to private investigators, who can often offer cost-effective and completely legal surveillance solutions for a number of situations.

Investigative professionals can set up workable, reliable, and personalized surveillance systems that offer exactly what individuals are looking for. Now, anyone can easily find a local, qualified investigator with e-surveillance experience at the PInow.com Worldwide Directory of Private Investigators. Plus, the PInow.com Worldwide Directory of Private Investigators even offers free surveillance resources that can help anyone understand this fascinating industry even more.

15 Ways to Improve your Business in 2007

What can Process Servers and Investigators do to Increase Revenue and Efficiency in the New Year?

A new year is fast approaching once again. For many process serving and investigation companies, business slows down for a few weeks allowing you to take the time to consider what you can do to improve business next year. At ServeNow.com and PInow.com, we talk to hundreds of process servers and investigators on a weekly basis about their advertising and marketing initiatives.

There are endless things you can do to improve and grow your business. But there are some very basic concepts, most of which don't cost anything, that you can apply to benefit your business in 2007.

1. Answer your phone!
At the risk of offending or being redundant, we are going to say it again. Answer your phone. If you have read our marketing articles in the past, you have surely heard this before. Making sure your calls get answered is the easiest and least expensive way of gaining more business. You may have to forward your calls to your cell phone, invest in a more sophisticated phone system or even hire an office assistant, but if calls go unanswered you are missing out on business.

"It's a concept that seems obvious. But when I really started to make a conscious effort to answer every single call that came through, it made a noticeable difference for my investigative agency," said Rebecca Krichevsky, owner of Alliance Background Investigation of Colorado, LLC.

We have heard people say, "I don't answer blocked calls" or "I don't answer calls from out-of-state", but if you are doing ANY form of advertising this thought process is very flawed. These could be calls from potential clients.

2. Expand your Service Offerings
You or one of your employees is at the courthouse on a weekly basis. Are you also providing document filing and retrieval services? You are also a notary public. Could you offer your customers a mobile notary service? You are a private investigator. Are you also providing legal support services such as process serving to your law firm clients?

If you are not offering your customers a full suite of legal support or investigative services, you could be leaving money on the table. What do your clients need that you can offer? If you don't know the answer to this question - ask them. It's possible your clients have needs that you are not aware of which you could monetize by spending little to no additional time.

Below is a list of services that you should consider, if you don't already offer them:

• * process serving
• * private investigations
• * skip tracing
• * document filing and retrieval
• * notary services
• * courier/messenger services
• * bail bonds

3. Understand Marketing Basics
The only difference between you and the most successful companies in your industry is how you market your company. There are a lot of inexperienced and unprofessional companies in the process serving and investigative markets that are highly profitable simply because they understand the benefits of marketing. Marketing is what gets your customer to pick up the phone and literally touches every aspect of your company including:

• * your company's name
• * how you answer the phone
• * your pricing
• * company branding and brochures
• * your web site
• * company correspondence (emails, reports, invoices, letters)

If you have a few extra hours over the holiday season, pick up a book on marketing basics. Even if you have a degree in marketing, keeping a book like this handy will prove to be useful. Additionally, there are numerous e-newsletters and blogs you can find on the web that have great marketing ideas and tips. Spending just a few hours per week on marketing can have a dramatic impact on your business.

4. Advertise when business is good
As long as you are in business, you should always continue to market your services. It doesnt matter how well-known you are, you constantly need to have your brand in front of the buyers of your services. This is why you will see Budweiser, IBM and other Fortune 500 companies investing in multi-million dollar ads during the Super Bowl. A major component of marketing is brand recognition. When your customers see your company advertised on other web sites or trade publications, it helps build trust in your brand and the perception of a successful company. Additionally, continuing to advertise can help you land that dream client that is high volume, high margin and most importantly, low maintenance.

5. Advertise MORE when business in slow
The first thing people tend to cut when business is slow is their sales and marketing. This knee-jerk reaction is often an effort to save money, but can be counterproductive to the success of your business. This is when you should be marketing the most, not only because you need to increase business, but you have the time to reevaluate your marketing and advertising options. Take this time to identify new places where your customers may be going to locate service providers and think about additional marketing initiatives such as mailers, visiting potential clients, growing your referral network and so on.

If you are just starting to market your business, don't get frustrated if your marketing does not work overnight. Statistics show that it can take seven or more exposures to elicit a buying reaction from your potential customers.

6. Get involved in State and National Associations
Supporting national and state associations is critical to your livelihood as a process server or an investigator. Associations help educate you on what is happening in the industry and most importantly, they fight legislative initiatives that can negatively impact the profession. Associations are also a key component of your marketing mix. Inevitably your fellow members are going to refer enough business to your company over time to pay for your dues many times over.

7. Ask Your Customers for a Referral
Sometimes the best form of marketing is word-of-mouth marketing. Chances are that if you do a good job, your customers will refer you to their colleagues without being prompted. However, it does not hurt to ask them for the names and numbers of people who they feel could use your services. Being able to use your clients name when calling these firms dramatically increases the likelihood that you will get business from these referrals. If your client's firm is big enough, they could refer you to multiple people within their office.

8. Contact at least Three New Potential Clients Per Week
No one likes to make cold calls, but sometimes the only way you get business is by asking for it. Set aside just one hour per week to call on at least three new potential clients. Stop by their office when you are in the neighborhood or pick up the phone during down time to talk to a decision maker. Have brochures or printed material you can hand or mail to them. It may take multiple conversations to convert them into paying customers, but over time your persistence will pay off.

9. Improve customer service and communication with customers
One of the most common themes we hear from the buyers of legal support services is that they are not communicated with properly. Too often, they feel they have to check on status. As an investigator or process server you can remedy this by being over-communicative. Whenever service is attempted or there is a new update on a case, pick up the phone and let the customer know what that status is.

When it comes to customer service you should "under-promise" and "over-deliver." Never make promises you may not be able to keep. But when you exceed on your customers expectations you will have a very happy client.

10. Raise your Prices - Compete on Service, not on Price
Would you rather manage 50 serves that make you $10 each, or 10 serves that make you $50 each? On the investigation side, would you rather work 10 hours at $50 per hour or 5 hours at $100 per hour.

If you are not making a good margin on your services, raise your prices and let someone else work their tails off for the high volume low margin services. In an ideal world, you have a handful of customers who consistently send you business and are willing to spend good money for good service.

Sounds great, but how do you achieve this? The answer is to stop competing on price and start competing on service instead. Have better customer service, communicate with your customers more effectively and be available for them. By treating customers how you want to be treated, we have found that many customers -- not all of them -- are willing to pay a premium for excellent service.

11. Delegate Tasks
You can't do everything yourself and continue to operate a growing business. Eventually, you need to bring in help with bookkeeping, collections, data entry and other administrative tasks. Whether you get the help from a part-time employee or a family member, you need to delegate time-consuming tasks to others so you can focus on managing your business and managing your customers. If you already have additional human resources in the office, look at ways in which you increase efficiency by assigning specific tasks to your employees.

12. Use Technology to Improve Efficiency
With software and mobile technology, we now have the ability to run our businesses from our home, hotels and even the road. Smart phones and broadband cards for your laptop are becoming "must-haves" for investigators or process servers that spend a significant amount of time out of the office.

Additionally, many software packages exist that were developed specifically for process servers and investigators. These applications enable you to manage jobs, communicate with your clients, automate your billing and much more.

Take the time to do an audit of your daily operations. What tasks are the most time-consuming? Chances are that technology exists that can help you automate some of these processes, saving you time and money.

13. Build or Update Existing Web Site
If you don't have a web site yet, you need one. If you already have web site, but you haven't updated it in a few years, take the time to go through it to make sure all your information is accurate and up-to-date. You should be doing this at least a couple times per year. You should also avoid putting anything on your site that will require frequent updates such as a news or newsletter section. Chances are you will not have the time or resources to keep this current.

Use your web site as a tool to sell your company as experts in your field. The main goal of your web site as a service provider is to get customers to pick up the phone to call you. Your web site should be professional, clean and precise. Make sure your phone number is clearly visible at the top of each page.

14. Charge more for Private Individuals
Law firms, corporations and private individuals are all important to your business. Naturally, private parties are going to be less knowledgeable and ultimately, you are going to spend more time working with the private person as opposed to the law firm or corporate client. Many investigative and process serving firms have higher rates for private parties because of these reasons. Additionally, private parties are less likely to be repeat customers.

One way to make the process of working with private individuals easier is to provide them with a document that outlines what your service entails and when they should expect to be contacted by you. You may also want to consider putting this on your web site so it can be easily referenced.

15. Set, Plan and Track your Goals
To be successful in anything you need to have goals. To reach your goals you must have a plan. To make sure your plan is working, you must track your progress.

If your plan for 2007 is to double your business, what do you need to do to achieve this? Do you need to advertise more or hire more people? Make a plan to achieve this goal then check in on a monthly basis to see where adjustments need to be made. Just by being cognizant of your goals and your progress, you will put yourself in a positive mindset to help you achieve them.

We hope that this information helps you with your planning for 2007, or at least gives you something to think about. Not all businesses are the same and not all of these ideas are right for every company, but we all have room for improvement. If you are a ServeNow.com or PInow.com customer, we invite you to contact us at (877) 737-8366 or info@serve-now.com to talk about your marketing and advertising in 2007. Additionally, if you have feedback for us regarding how we can improve our services, we would like to hear from you!

About ServeReport
The ServeReport is an email newsletter that focuses on the latest news, events and legislative changes in the process serving and private investigation industries. Read past newsletters here: ServeReport: ServeNow.com Process Server Newsletter Archive

What Every Business Needs to Know About Trademark Investigations

Businesses are becoming more worried about trademarks and with good reason – trademark infringement can undermine entire marketing campaigns and can even drive customers away. Trademark and intellectual property infringement investigations are the best way for companies to protect themselves.

According to the U.S. Department of Justice, between 1994 and 2002, the number of instances in which civil remedies were sought in patent, trademark, and copyright infringement cases increased by 20% -- to 8,254. Trademark violations are obviously big news. To businesses and companies, infringement can also mean big problems and big losses.

Trademarks are names, logos, symbols, jingles, words, or slogans that companies use to distinguish one service or product from others. Businesses put a lot of effort into creating and registering trademarks that will appeal to customers and create a strong brand image. Trademark violations occur when a business or person inadvertently or intentionally makes use of a logo, name, jingle, or other marketing tool from another business.

Trademark infringement may include:

• Naming a business using a name that is identical or similar to the name of a similar business

• Using similar products, packaging, logos, or services as other similar businesses in the same marketplace

When Businesses Make a Mistake – Preventing Trademark Infringement

Any business wanting to choose a name for a company, service, or product needs to take steps to prevent lawsuits down the road. Casually selecting a name, logo, or slogan can mean big problems. Incidental trademark infringement is a simple mistake to make. New brand names and businesses are registered each day, and some words are trademarked as well, making business branding a bit of a landmine, especially for smaller businesses, which may not have the legal or money resources to fight a trademark infringement accusation.

In today’s complex business environment, hiring a trademark or corporate investigator before naming any business, product, or service just makes sense. While in the past, businesses used the Internet or the federal database Trademark Electronic Search System (Tess) available through the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, today’s many trademarks and multinational companies mean that businesses need professional help to steer clear of inadvertent trademark infringement.

A professional corporate investigator with trademark experience can run international trademark searches and can help ensure that similarities (not just dead-on same names) do not sink a business’s new endeavor. A professional trademark search service by a qualified private investigator can cost less than one thousand dollars but can save a company thousands in legal fees.

Keeping Companies from Becoming Victims: What Every Business Can Do to Secure its Trademarks

Just as businesses want to avoid infringing another company’s trademark, every business also needs to take steps to avoid becoming a victim of trademark infringement. Most companies spend considerable time creating services, names, and brands before spending additional time and money advertising those products and services. Trademark infringement threatens to undermine all this hard work. Worse, trademark infringement can cause lost profits. A company using a similar name, service, or product can literally lure away business from the original trademark holder. Trademark infringement can also confuse customers and clients, costing a company business.

Every company can protect themselves by registering trademarks with the federal trademark office and then using the trade name on web sites, advertisements, and other publications to establish use of the trademark. Using the "®" or “tm” symbol after all trade names can also help. Finally, staying alert for possible trademark violations and acting on them immediately can help reduce the business losses that can result from trademark infringement.

Even with all these precautions, though, businesses can become victims. That’s why more companies are hiring private investigators with intellectual property and business intelligence experience. Experienced private investigators can help determine if any company is violating a trademark and can help gather evidence against any business who is infringing intellectual property rights. With a corporate investigator, a company can more easily get other businesses to adhere to trademark laws and can even get compensation for any business losses that have already occurred due to infringement. For many businesses, trademark and intellectual property infringement investigations are a smart investment.

Chicago IL Private Investigator

The PInow.com team would like to welcome their newest investigator in Chicago.

Chicagoland Detective Services, Inc., a private investigation company, was built with the depth of resources and experience you need to assure yourself of total satisfaction in the investigations arena. Through state of the art technology, experienced personnel, professionalism and a solid asset base, we're able to perform.

For more information please see the PInow Profile Page for:
Don C. Haworth, Private Investigator

Saint George Utah Private Investigator

The PInow.com team would like to welcome their newest investigator in Utah.

Doddridge P.I. provides professional handling of your investigative needs: Criminal defense, surveillance, executive protection, missing children, skiptracing and tracking. The Doddridge Detective Agency is a full service investigations agency licensed in the state of Utah.

For more information please see the PInow Profile Page for:
Doddridge Detective Agency

Winslow Arizona Private Investigator

The PInow.com team would like to welcome their newest investigator in Arizona.

KJC Family Investigations is a family owned business with over 37 years of Law Enforcement and Corrections experience. It's principal investigator has worked for a local agency as an Arizona Certified Peace Officer retiring from the Navajo County Attorneys Office as its Criminal Investigator. His experience includes but is not limited to all forms of Criminal Investigation, Legal Procedure and survelliance. Specialties include Crimes Against Persons, Property Crimes, Financial Crimes and is a court recognized expert in fingerprint comparison in both Navajo and Apache counties.

For more information please see the PInow Profile Page for:
KJC Family Investigations LLC

Nashville Tennessee Investigator

The PInow.com team would like to welcome their newest private investigator in Tennessee.

Bob Lyons and Associates was founded in 2004 by former Metropolitian Nashville Police Lieutenant, Bob Lyons. Our team has an extensive law enforcement background. Expertise in all types of criminal investigations, criminal ex parte investigations, crime scene reconstruction, all types of civil investigations, background and asset searches and process service.

For more information please see the PInow Profile Page for:
Bob Lyons and Associates LLC

Uses for a Public Records Search

Different types of public records searches generate different results and information. Anyone interested in getting timely, accurate public records searches conducted needs to consult with a private investigator to get real results.

Public records searches are big news. One keyword popularity tool estimates that there are well over 250,000 searches done on a monthly basis in the United States for “public records” and variations of the search. Newspapers and the media are filled with debates about privacy laws and internet public records searches. It seems that with the age of information and the information superhighway, more people than ever before are interested in finding out as much as possible – and worrying about who is finding this information.

Why Use a Public Records Search?

There are many types of public records searches, and each one has its specific uses:

• Real estate records: These records are useful for finding out who owns specific property and what legal problems may exist with a property. In some cases, these types of public records searches also reveal the history of a property’s ownership. Homebuyers often find this type of search useful, as it reveals possible problems with a title and with a property. Historians will often use this type of research to uncover the history of a place, whereas investigators in a criminal investigation will sometimes use this type of search to find possible suspects. If a crime being investigated occurred some time ago, this type of search reveals who was living in the house at the time. Attorneys involved in a lawsuit will often use this type of public records search to find out who is legally responsible for a property on which an accident or legal problem occurred.

• Lien filings. This type of public records search reveals whether there are any clouds on a title. If there are previous judgements, tax claims, or legal claims against a property, this type of search will reveal it. Anyone running this type of search before buying a property can save themselves some expensive legal hassle down the road. In some cases, this type of public records search is also used to determine whether a prospective business partner or client makes a good risk. This type of records search can show whether an individual has had financial problems in the past.

• Business entity filings. This public records search can reveal details about a company – such as ownership, location, and date when a company was established. This type of public records search is often used in corporate investigations, trademark investigations and business investigations. A company wanting to know about a competitor can find out more information through this type of public records search.

• Court records: Records of divorces, court cases, judgements, and criminal cases are important records. Many investigators use this type of public records search when running certain types of background checks. Business investigators use this public records search to determine whether prospective business partners or clients make a good match. This public records search is also important in pre-dating screening, when someone may want to know whether a potential romantic interest has a criminal history. Attorneys use this type of public records search to establish whether a defendant has a history of legal problems or a pattern of criminal behavior.

• Death records. Genealogists and historical researchers use this type of public records search to determine family and personal histories. Investigators of fraud will also sometimes use this kind of public records search to determine whether someone has been using a false identity (criminals sometimes use a deceased person’s identity, as a living person will often notice credit problems and other signs of fraud).

The Problems with Public Records Searches

Although a public records search can obviously be quite useful, it is not always a great investigative option. Many public records contain errors and inaccuracies. In some cases, the wrong information is supplied to the body in charge of creating public records, and in other cases, the wrong information is typed into public records. The problem is even worse when online databases are used for public records search. Because the records in this type of online public records search have been processed twice – once when someone entered the public record originally and once again when a data entry clerk typed the record into the online database – the search may be very inaccurate. Some online databases offering public records search services do not enter updates or corrections made to the original documents.

Even in cases where public records are accurate, mistakes can still occur with public records searches. Public records contain only a small part of the story – hidden records may give a far more accurate depiction of a person or place. Plus, some people use aliases or travel to or from other countries. In these cases, a public records search may uncover very little about a person.

Running a Good Public Records Search

Anyone who needs an accurate public records search run for any reason needs to consult a qualified private investigators. Professional investigators have access to public records that most of the public are not allowed to view. Plus, private investigators hand-check public records for accuracy and mistakes. A good, experienced investigator will also use a number of investigative techniques – not just a public records search – to come up with real solutions and answers for clients. If you want real results, and not just a public records search, look to the PInow.com Worldwide Directory of Private Investigators to find local, qualified private investigators who can help you with your search.

About PInow.com
PInow.com (http://www.pinow.com/) is a Worldwide Directory of Private Investigators that enables law firms, corporations and the general public to find investigators anywhere. PInow.com strives to be the most trusted resource on the web to locate qualified investigators. All investigators listed on PInow.com are pre-screened and must meet specific listing requirements.

PInow.com was developed by the team that brought you the ServeNow.com Process Servers Directory (http://www.serve-now.com/).

Visit PInow.com to find investigators who can help with all your investigation needs.

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Investigation News > Public Records

Accident Investigation Continues

News Channel 9 - WTVC: "Hamilton County investigators continue looking into the cause of a single-car accident that killed a 17-year old girl more than a year ago. Last month, investigators began recreating the accident that killed Natalie Sitton. Now they've sent her SUV's bumper to a forensics lab... for more tests. She lost control on Shoal Creek Road going up Signal Mountain and ran off the road. The SUV flipped three times, killing her. Sitton's father thinks someone else was involved in the accident. "

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Investigation News > Accident / Reconstruction

Why You Should Use a Professional Repossession Company

Any company holding a security interest in an asset on which payments have not been made can choose to repossess to recover the property. However, choosing the right repo service is a must to ensure a legal and hassle-free repossession.

No one likes repossession. Customers do not like having their possessions taken away and companies do not like having to hire companies to seize products on which payments have not been made. Although companies and customers alike face stress and added costs with repossession, new information shows that more companies and businesses are being pushed to repossession orders. Statistics published by the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts, new bankruptcy filings jumped 5.7% in 2002 – up to 1.57 million – from 2001 alone. The Department for Constitutional Affairs reported in 2006 that repossession orders related to unpaid mortgages were the highest in 9 years.

The Repossession Process

Repossession usually occurs either because an asset is being paid for in installments or is being used as collateral when payments are not made. For example, if a customer buys furniture on a payment plan, they may not officially own the items until all payments have been made. The store can repossess the purchased items if the customer stops making payments.

Even in cases where a customer already owns an asset, it can be repossessed if the item is being held in collateral. For example, in many debt consolidation home equity loans, a homeowner’s property is held as collateral. If the homeowner stops making payment on the loan, the lender can, in many cases, repossess the home. Basically, a company can repossess any property on which the payments have not been made, provided that the company holds a security interest in the asset.

Choosing a Repo Business

Any company losing money through non-payment may want to consider repossession. The best way to reclaim assets on which money is owed is through a professional repossession company. A professional service will ensure that the repossession is legal and effective. Companies looking to hire a repossession company need to look for:

• Repossession companies who are affordable. Repossession professionals range in price quite widely. Since companies in need of repossession services have usually already lost money through non-payment, choosing a service that is affordable and effective is important.
• Repossession companies that are bonded and have wrongful repossession insurance. Insurance helps protect the company in case a lawsuit results. Companies should look for companies with additional insurance that can offer some protection in case the assets are damaged during the repossession process.
• Repossession companies that have the licensing requirements for your state. New Hampshire, North Carolina, Massachusetts, and Vermont do not require repossession licenses. California, Maine, Pennsylvania, and Louisiana all have strict licensing requirements. Companies hiring repossession services in states where licensing requirements are in place need to ask for license numbers to verify that repo agents comply with state law.
• Repossession companies who have agents familiar with local law and the repossession process. Experienced, local repossession agents are a must, since criminal violations and “breaches of peace” can be alleged, especially in cases where an owner resists repossession. Repossession agents need to be knowledgeable enough to avoid accusations to illegal repossession and trespassing.
• Repossession companies who have good standing with the Better Business Bureau.
• Repossession companies who have investigative resources. If a company thinks that an owner may remove an item about to be repossessed and in cases where an owner may try to move away to avoid repossession, companies should look for services that can track down as well as recover the assets.

While some companies think that they can repossess any items on which payments have not been paid, hiring a professional repossession service is the best option. A professional service can help companies avoid legal hassles, illegal repossession, and other problems. Hiring a good repo service is one of the best things that companies can do to get business back on track. The PInow.com Worldwide Directory of Private Investigators can help any business find a local repo service that can recover assets quickly. Thanks to the PInow.com Worldwide Directory of Private Investigators, companies can also quickly access free repossession resources.

About PInow.com
PInow.com (http://www.pinow.com/) is a Worldwide Directory of Private Investigators that enables law firms, corporations and the general public to find investigators anywhere. PInow.com strives to be the most trusted resource on the web to locate qualified investigators. All investigators listed on PInow.com are pre-screened and must meet specific listing requirements.

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Investigation News > Repossession

City didn't do background check on couple awarded $200,000 pizza contract

Union Leader - City didn't do background check on couple awarded $200,000 pizza contract - Tuesday, Nov. 28, 2006: "The restaurateur who won a high-profile bidding war for the school district's pizza contract served time in prison for bilking homeowners out of thousands of dollars.

Roland White, who runs Ma & Pa's Kitchen with his wife, Alice, pleaded guilty in 2003 to charges that his construction company pocketed $25,000 for work it never performed.

His wife also has a criminal record. Alice White, whose last name at the time was Belanger, was convicted in 2005 on allegations that she ordered three girls to steal jewelry from a Filene's department store.

School district officials say they did not know about the couple's criminal history earlier this month when they awarded the pizza parlor a contract worth close to $200,000. The district had yet to complete its own investigation yesterday.

'The administration and school board do have a responsibility to parents, teachers and students,' said Mayor Frank Guinta, who chairs the city's school board. 'And if the allegations are correct, I would absolutely encourage and support a secondary vote on this contract.'

In an interview yesterday, "

Background checks - now more than ever!

Dental Economics - Background checks - now more than ever!: "Imagine hiring an employee who appears to be the perfect candidate, only to be embezzled to the tune of thousands of dollars six months later. What if one of your employees is physically assaulted by a new hire who has “gone postal,” or, more commonly, what if you found out - after the fact - that the new hygienist does not have a valid license and did not work for the employer(s) listed on the résumé or application form?

These are the types of scenarios that employers face when they fail to conduct a background check on all potential new hires. These examples, coupled with recent statistics, indicate that employers should no longer neglect conducting background checks during the recruiting process - the risks are too great!

According to the National Association of Professional Background Screeners, 56 percent of applicant-supplied information contains one or more significant discrepancies. In another study, it was found that more than 36 percent of employment verifications uncovered inconsistencies from what had been stated on the application form, and 14 percent listed false or inconsistent information regarding education.

The risk and rise of violence in the workplace today also carries significant liability for employers. The National Institute for Occupational Safety "

Are you ready for Dec. 1 e-discovery amendments?

InfoStor - Are you ready for Dec. 1 e-discovery amendments?: "On December 1, e-discovery amendments to the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure (Civil Rule 5) will take effect. Fortunately, a number of vendors have solutions that can help organizations prepare to respond to lawsuits.

Here's a quick look at the amendments and a few of the related solutions:

Rules 26 and 34 state that a pre-meeting must occur between the companies involved in the lawsuit—not just between the lawyers, but also between the IT departments. Each of the companies must represent where data is stored and how it is stored, and the technology in place to provide access to that information.

Rule 34 also requires that organizations deliver the content in the format the requestor defines. Typically, the default is the native format, because it often contains hidden metadata that is erased when files convert to formats such as PDF.

Rule 37 codifies the standards around legal hold. When a lawsuit is ongoing, a company must stop destroying all information related to the case, regardless of its own systematic destruction policies. Many companies have automated systems to delete old e-mails or files, which could also delete evidence.

A recent survey conducted by the Enterprise Strategy Group (ESG) found that 45% of respondents have found that retrievi"

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Investigation News > Electronic Data Discovery

Teacher loses job after background check

Teacher loses job after background check: "Glendale Elementary School District officials recently released second-grade teacher Keath Allen from his job at Desert Spirit School after a background check revealed a 1994 military conviction of sexual indecency with a minor, a district spokeswoman said Monday.

A state-mandated background check failed to uncover Allen's conviction, spokeswoman Sara Bresnahan said.

The district ran a secondary check, and a Glendale Police Department investigator found out about the conviction Nov. 14. District officials were immediately notified, and Allen was pulled from the classroom, Bresnahan said.
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She said there were no reports of criminal wrongdoing while Allen was on the job at Desert Spirit.

A note went home to parents when district officials initially became aware of Allen's past, but it did not indicate the nature of his criminal record, Bresnahan said.

Parents also received a phone call, a follow-up note and were invited to a meeting with staff, she said.

Allen had been hired to teach in August.

The Arizona State Board of Education was notified, and Allen's name was supposed to have been entered into the sex offender's registry, Bresnahan said. Monday morning, his name did not yet appear.

Glendale police officials were not available for comment."

Background checks can weed out bad hires

AMNews: Nov. 27, 2006. Background checks can weed out bad hires ... American Medical News: "When Joseph Kasper, MD, hired a family acquaintance to manage his solo practice, he didn't feel a background check was necessary. He later learned that was a mistake -- one which nearly cost him his practice.

The family physician from West Valley City, Utah, and his wife, Suzie, knew Stephanie Jo Wilde-Mathie for more than 10 years. She managed their church's nursery. They knew her children. They knew she had professional experience handling budgets and finances.

But apparently, they didn't know enough. Wilde-Mathie is scheduled to appear in Utah State Court's 3rd District on Nov. 28 where she will answer to charges that she stole more than $50,000 from the doctor through forged checks and fraudulent credit cards. Wilde-Mathie's attorney, Michael Stout, said he is not yet sure how she will plead.

'It nearly wiped us out,' said Suzie Kasper, who now serves as the interim business manager of her husband's practice.

Background checks can be as basic as a quick call to a past employer or as extensive as a complete report including credit checks, criminal records and interviews with childhood friends. But because many small practices don't have human resources departments, many hiring decisions are based solely on a resume and first impressions.

Lisa Guerin, an editor"

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Investigation News > Background Checks

Who's Watching Your Kids?

KXAN.com - Who's Watching Your Kids?: "Chances are, when you welcome a baby sitter into your home, the last thing you think to ask is whether they've committed a crime or have frequented teen sex parties.

KXAN NBC Austin's Julie Shields puts herself in a parent's shoes to find the best ways to really know who's watching the kids.

DWI, credit card theft, forgery and even assault. They're all crimes committed by people who want to watch your kids.

Often, parents never even have a clue.

'Horrified. Just horrified because you're trusting them with the single most important thing to you,' mother Becky Perry King said.

King relies on the occasional baby sitter to watch little Lindsey.

'We've been really lucky to find really good baby sitters,' King said.

She doesn't just go by childcare track record. She wants a criminal background check.

'They're coming into your home, so not only are you trusting them with your child, you're trusting them with very personal information, like your social security numbers, check numbers and credit card numbers,' King said.

Wendy Petersen, a licensed investigator and co-founder of the Mom's Best Friend Agency, does extensive background checks on applicants. She's uncovered credit card abuse, forgery and assault.

'We also dig deep. If we have any questions, we've been known to check"

Higher Ed board discusses criminal background checks

Higher Ed board discusses criminal background checks: "The state Board of Higher Education plans to ask the Legislature for permission to conduct criminal background checks on employees, job applicants and students in certain areas.

The idea drew some questions when it was discussed at the board's meeting Thursday at Dickinson State University.

Nicholas Rogers, the student board member from North Dakota State University, said he could not support the proposal without knowing more about how it would impact his fellow students.

The proposed change in the law would the state university system to do a statewide and nationwide criminal history record check 'for each applicant or employee in a specified position in the university system or a university system institution or for each student applying to or admitted to a specified program of study, as designated by the chancellor.''

Valley City State University President Dr. Ellen Chaffee and university system attorney Pat Seaworth said the background checks would not be mandatory."

City to privatize background checks

City to privatize background checks: "Change sought to expedite processing of licenses.

By MATTHEW LeBLANC of the Tribune’s staff
Published Wednesday, November 8, 2006

City officials say the Missouri State Highway Patrol often takes too long to process criminal background checks on applicants for Columbia business licenses and will ask a private company to conduct the investigations.

Janice Finley, who oversees business licensing for the city’s finance department, said some applicants have waited up to six weeks for a finalized background check state police say only takes 30 minutes to an hour to conduct.

'That’s not a very acceptable practice,' Finley said.

City rules require first-time applicants for various licenses - business, liquor, taxi driver, guard, private detective or solicitor - to submit to a criminal background check. Highway patrol officers conduct the checks at their Jefferson City office, and the paperwork from Columbia sometimes gets trumped by background investigations requested by others.

Finley and city Finance Director Lori Fleming each say the turnaround time on background checks can be improved significantly - two days rather than up to six weeks - by allowing a private company to conduct them.

The city will soon begin accepting proposals from vendors for providing the service."

The Sun News | 11/08/2006 | Experts focus on elder abuse

The Sun News | 11/08/2006 | Experts focus on elder abuse: "The growing problem of elder abuse, including neglect and fraud, was the topic of a public forum Tuesday at Coastal Carolina University.

The CCU Center for Active Aging and Retirement convened an expert panel to discuss what was called a problem that is growing proportionally with an aging population.

Center Director Jan Bowman says the problem is widespread and underreported by formally trained and volunteer caregivers.

'People either didn't realize it was taking place - or they were painfully aware.'

Experts agreed that an integrated response from the community, caregivers, law enforcement, clergy and the medical community will be needed to thwart abuse of those who can no longer fend for themselves."

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Investigation News > Elder Abuse

Private investigators: 'Like going on a scavenger hunt when you don't know what you're looking for'

Private investigators: 'Like going on a scavenger hunt when you don't know what you're looking for': "Jeff Means spends 10-hour days staring at a TV screen, editing surveillance videotape shot by his investigators.

The Hazel Green private investigator and founder of Sound Mind Investigations has a marker board in his office filled with a long list of ready-to-be-edited surveillance tapes.

Means and his six-person staff are often hired by individuals in the North Alabama area hoping to win child custody or find out if their spouse is cheating.

While the general perception of the fast-growing field of private investigation is that it's nonstop excitement, local private investigators like Means say that much of the work is tedious.

It requires a lot of patience and common sense, Means said. 'It's got to be in your blood. You don't think it's neat when you're sitting there for 12 to 15 hours watching day turn to night.'

But many PIs — a field expected to grow 18 to 26 percent through 2014 — don't conduct surveillance anymore because many investigative cases aren't the lurk-in-the-shadows variety the public typically thinks of."

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Investigation News > Investigators in the News

This Thanksgiving, Wives With Faithful Husbands Have a Lot to Be Thankful For

This Thanksgiving, Wives With Faithful Husbands Have a Lot to Be Thankful For: "“This Thanksgiving, any wife who has a faithful husband has a lot to be thankful for,” says infidelity expert Ruth Houston. “With infidelity now at epidemic proportions, faithful husbands are in short supply. Infidelity in one form or another -- emotional infidelity, internet infidelity, same sex infidelity, workplace infidelity – now affects 80% of all marriages today. Husbands who honor their marriage vows have become the exception, rather than the rule.”

Most Husbands Cheat

“Most wives assume their husbands are faithful.” says Houston, who is the author of Is He Cheating on You ? – 829 Telltale Signs and the founder of InfidelityAdvice.com “But in reality, only 1 wife in 4 can truthfully make that claim. Based on current statistics, an estimated 38 to 53 million women are victims of infidelity. Approximately 55% to 75% of men cheat on their mates.

The Wife is Still the Last to Know

Even more disturbing is the fact that according to studies, 2/3 of these women, at least 26 million unsuspecting wives, have no idea their husbands are having an affair – primarily because they fail to recognize the telltale signs. Since most cheating husbands know how to cover up the obvious signs of infidelity, "

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Investigation News > Cheating / Infidelity

Rules About to Change in e-Discovery Game

Rules About to Change in e-Discovery Game: "New federal rules will take effect next month requiring corporations to produce documents in legal cases or face stiff penalties, raising yet another regulatory compliance issue for IT departments.

On December 1, several amendments to the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure regarding a company's duty to preserve and produce electronically stored information (ESI) in the face of litigation — or pending litigation — are scheduled to take effect. The rules (specifically Civil Rules 16, 26, 33, 34 and 37) have already been adopted in some states, like New Jersey, and other states, including Texas and California, have already implemented some of the new rules.

As with most new compliance rules, there is some confusion and hand-wringing on the part of enterprises as to what the amendments really mean. In this case, the big question companies are asking of their attorneys, IT people, vendors and compliance officers is: Do the new rules mean we have to drastically alter the way we preserve, retrieve and produce electronic data? The answer to that question: It depends. It depends on what practices, procedures and technology you already have in place (if any), and how susceptible your enterprise is to a lawsuit.

If your company has clearly stated, consistent, across-the-board policies and procedures in place on ESI"

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Investigation News > Electronic Data Discovery

Computer programs help flag insurance fraud before payment - USATODAY.com

Computer programs help flag insurance fraud before payment - USATODAY.com: "Computer sleuths trying to stop health care fraud say they have a new weapon: computer programs that can flag potential fraud even before medical claims are paid.

'Everyone is trying to see if they can catch the fraud before the check goes out the door,' says Andrea Allmon, director of health care operations at Fair Isaac, a firm known for its credit card scoring model that also sells health fraud detection computer systems.

That's because companies can save far more money by stopping claims before they are paid than trying to get fraudsters to pay back money.

Insurer Aetna says its new computer software helped it stop $89 million in payments before they reached medical providers last year. That compares with the $15 million in fraud repayments it was able to collect after the fact."

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Medical claims 'mined' to find fraud - USATODAY.com

Medical claims 'mined' to find fraud - USATODAY.com: "Medicare investigators in Los Angeles, using sophisticated computer technology to sift through claims data, saw an unusual pattern: A single patient had apparently undergone a diagnostic rectal-probe procedure 118 times in a year — at 21 medical facilities.

'It's unlikely that could have occurred,' says Kim Brandt, director of program integrity at the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. 'This person would not have been able to sit on a plane.'

Borrowing techniques from financial and credit services, Medicare and private health insurers are increasingly 'mining' claims data for suspicious patterns, comparing practitioners with their peers and larger databases of claims.

STORY: Computer programs help flag insurance fraud before payment

Medicare investigators found similar cases across a group of diagnostic testing companies, which used improperly obtained Medicare patient identification numbers to bill for the exams, which were likely never performed. Problems were found with other types of tests as well. As a result, 83 diagnostic centers this year lost their billing privileges, and $163 million in payments were denied.

Without the computer program, the fraud might have gone undetected.

'I call it spider-webbing: Find one common denominator (and follow the thread),' says Brandt."

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Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly: Employment issues raised by civil suit vs. trash co.

Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly: Employment issues raised by civil suit vs. trash co.: "A $10 million wrongful-death suit brought against the trash company that employed the man accused of murdering fashion writer Christa Worthington is raising significant questions over an employer's use of background checks on potential employees.

Specifically, lawyers said the civil case being brought by the Worthington estate could expand the duty of care business owners — especially those in businesses where client contact is minimal like a trash collection company — owe to customers when owners become aware of a potential employee's past criminal record.

'It's a huge issue,' said Bruce A. Bierhans of Stoughton, who represents the trash company. 'I remember when the lawsuit first came out, I got a lot of calls from trucking companies and trash companies, concerned about whether they had to go out and do background checks on all the guys driving their trucks now.'

Chester L. Tennyson Jr. of Hingham, who represents the Worthington estate, declined to comment due to the pending nature of both the criminal and civil cases.

Although not involved in the suit, Andrew C. Pickett of Boston said the nature of criminal defendant Christopher McCowen's employment would likely prove to be a highly relevant factor in the case.

'If I was arguing on behalf of the employer, I certainly would say, 'Look,"

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Somerville New Jersey Private Investigator

The PInow.com team would like to introduce their newest investigator in Somerville New Jersey.

J & K Investigative Services, Inc. New Jersey's premier private investigator and process server agency has provided the legal profession and the general public with reliable and efficient services worldwide. Professionalism has been the key to our growth and success. Quality performance and client satisfaction has been the mainstay of this family-owned company.

For more information please see the PInow.com profile page for:
J & K Investigative Services, Inc.

Frankfort Illinois Private Investigator

The PInow.com team would like to welcome their newest investigator in Frankfort Illinois.

STO Investigations, Inc. provides investigative serives through out Will County, IL.

For more information please see the PInow.com profile page for:
STO Investigations, Inc.

Port Charlotte Florida Private Investigator

The PInow.com team would like to welcome their newest investigator in Florida.

Southwest Florida Private Investigations originated as the investigative division of Leo Security Services Inc., a full service security and investigative agency. Founded in 1999, Leo Security Services, Inc. is the culmination of over 50 years experience in Security and Investigations by Jim and John Gallagher.

Southwest Florida Private Investigations is fully licensed, serving the following areas in Southwest Florida: Charlotte County Florida, Collier County Florida, Desoto County Florida, Lee County Florida, Manatee County Florida, and Sarasota County Florida.

Georgia Private Investigator

The PInow.com team would like to welcome their latest private investigator in Georgia.

Hawk Private Investigations, Inc. is a full service investigative agency, licensed by the Georgia Board of Private Detective and Security Agencies.

HPI’s professional licensed investigators have a wide variety of backgrounds including private investigators specializing in surveillance operations, former law enforcement personnel, former agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigations, and former Secret Service agents. From these resources we have formed professional alliances and associations with other professional investigators worldwide to accommodate our clients with almost any investigative need.

HPI offers a variety of services to individuals, corporations, and the legal industry including Background Investigations, Child Custody Investigations, Computer Forensics, Domestic Investigations, Due Diligence Investigations, Security Consulting, and Technical Surveillance/ Electronic Countermeasures.

Corona California Investigator

The PInow.com team would like to welcome their newest investigator to Corona California.

At Alliance Investigative Services, our most important asset is your trust. To us the word "Confidential" applies to every activity undertaken. It's a rule we live by. We strive to provide the best service to our clients in every legal way possible. We have been in the business since 1994 and licensed in California since 2000.

For more information please see the PInow.com profile page for:
Alliance Investigative Services

Saint George Utah Private Investigator

The PInow.com team would like to welcome their newest investigator in Utah.

ICU Investigations has over 50 years of combined prior experience working in the civil and criminal divisions of government and private business provides a variety of investigative services for the public, private, corporate and legal sectors.

We provide service agreement contracts, rate sheets and a detailed
written report outlining investigation results!

The experience, training, and savvy of our seasoned licensed investigators, former police officers, and certified paralegals will meet your specific needs or develop a plan that works for you. Our process servers and investigators are tenacious and determined to provide you with the results you desire.

Tucson AZ Private Investigator

The PInow.com team would like to welcome their newest member to Tucson Arizona.

Acme Investigations, Inc. was formed by a number of accomplished, experienced professional investigators, security and intelligence operatives, lawyers, healthcare professionals and business executives who have worked in the public and private sectors, with extensive experience in the complicated world of national and international business, law, finance and government operations.

Our executive and senior staff include Arizona-based investigation and security professionals, with a network of local contacts and long-term local relationships that ensure our ability to know the environment and context of the case, understand the people involved, and resolve the situations we are retained to investigate, and to protect.

Orange County CA Investigator

The PInow.com team would like to welcome their newest member to Southern California.

New Technologies Investigative Services is a full service private investigation firm headquartered in the heart of Southern California. We are licensed in the State of California and have established a statewide network of highly trained and qualified private investigators to handle any type of investigation.

For more information please see the PInow.com profile page for:
New Technologies Investigative Services

Glendale Private Investigator

The PInow.com team would like to welcome their newest member, Ken Davis Investigations, to the state of Arizona.

Ken Davis Investigations mission is to provide their customers and clients with investigative services that are comprehensive; objective; and court defensible. They will accomplish this by conducting each investigation as unbiased seekers of the truth while adhering to the highest ethical standards, maintaining unimpeachable integrity and practicing utmost confidentiality.

For more information please see the PInow.com profile page for:
Ken Davis Investigations

Mesquite Texas Private Investigator

The PInow.com team would like to welcome their newest member, NightHawk Investigations Inc., to Texas.

NightHawk Investigations, Inc. is a full service private investigation firm located in Dallas, Texas. We provide confidential, professional investigative services for all types of cases. We service a wide range of clients, both personal and corporate.

We handle all our cases with complete professionalism, confidentiality and commitment to our clients. We go the extra mile to get the job done, no matter how big or small. Most of our services have a no hit/no fee guarantee. For those cases needing special attention, our hourly rates are the best anywhere.

If A Former Partner is Dating Someone New, Is a Child Custody Investigation A Smart Idea?

There are many things that can affect a child’s safety in a custody situation. One of these things is the new friends and partners that a parent may meet after a divorce.

Child custody problems are more prevalent than most people realize. According to 2003 US census findings, 43.7% of mothers with custody and 56.2% of custodial fathers are separated or divorced. This means that many parents are raising their children while separated from their spouse. Statistics show that the majority of people who divorce eventually remarry or at least form new partnerships. Not surprisingly, custodial parents worry about the influence of these new partners on their children.

They may have a reason to worry. Custody arrangements in a divorce are usually based on information that is current at the time of the divorce. However, the circumstances of a person’s life can change dramatically – usually with no corresponding changes to custody arrangements. A parent may meet a new partner who is a bad influence – or is even actively dangerous – to the child the parent is responsible for.

What are the signs of a problem?

Parents who have partial or full custody have a responsibility to ensure that their child is safe – both with them and with the other partner who shares custody of the child. A big part of that is ensuring that the friends and new partners that a parent has are safe for the child. When a parent starts dating again, there are many signs that the child may not be safe:

• A child does not seem to want to spend time with a custodial parent. This needs to be taken especially seriously if the child was previously eager to see the parent. In some cases, the change may simply occur because the child is upset or confused about the changes in a parent’s life. However, it could also point to an unhealthy new situation.

• Child returns from spending time with their other parent with signs of neglect. A child that returns unwashed, hungry, tired, or improperly dressed for the weather may be suffering from neglect.

• Child returns from spending time with their other parent with signs of abuse. These signs may include withdrawal, acting out, bruises, scratches, and inappropriate language.

• Disturbing information about a former partner’s new friends and acquaintances comes to light. Although listening to gossip is never a good idea, anything upsetting needs to be checked out for the child’s safety.

• A parent is less willing to spend time with the child. While at the start of a new relationship, a parent may want to spend time alone with their new partner, it’s also important to maintain a strong parent-child relationship.

• Changes in a parent’s behavior. If a custodial parent suddenly becomes irresponsible – arriving late to pick up a child or making last-minute changes in plans – or suddenly changes behavioral patterns, that may be a cause for concern. It may indicate changes that can be far from beneficial for the child.

In many cases, simply keeping lines of communication open may be enough to keep everyone concerned feeling comfortable and safe. Meeting a former partner’s new friends and spending time together or discussing concerns frankly helps to waylay many fears. Unfortunately, this type of frankness is not always possible. In those cases where a child’s welfare is at stake, then, many parents turn to a custody investigator to ensure that children stay safe with a custodial parent. Parents can find qualified, experienced investigators as well as useful resources at no charge through the PInow.com Worldwide Directory of Private Investigators. The investigators parents can find through the PInow.com Worldwide Directory of Private Investigators can look into a child’s living situation to ensure that the child stays safe.

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Investigation News > Child Custody

Top 10 Reasons To Hire A Mystery Shopper

According to 2005 statistics published by the Mystery Shopping Providers Association (MSPA), secret shopping services are a $600 million industry in the United States, with more than 8.1 million mystery shops conducted in 2004 alone. Businesses turn in such numbers to secret shopper services because these services offer a number of benefits for companies. Many companies report that these services help them to:

1. Improve quality of service. Every business wants to be known for a high level of service, and many companies even spend considerable time and money training employees to provide excellent customer care and support. This does not guarantee that all employees provide the level of helpfulness and assistance that they were hired to provide, though. A secret shopping service can uncover exactly what sort of service customers get – even when there is no supervision of employees.
2. Increase sales. Whether a business is service- or product-based, most companies are interested in selling something to someone. Businesses spend considerable effort and money on marketing, but if there is a flaw somewhere in the selling process, customers may be choosing to make purchases elsewhere. Performance audits help businesses to uncover these problems in the selling process so that marketing and sales processes work seamlessly to create more sales and profits.
3. Locate potential business hazards. Employee fraud, theft, and dishonesty can all mean lost business – and even potential lawsuits. Mystery shopper services uncover these potential problems so that business owners can act on them – before they bankrupt a company.
4. Improve company image and branding. Secret shoppers not only come into the store to see how company employees provide service in person; quality companies can also phone or email a business at various times of the day to determine how good telephone and computer service is. If customers are kept waiting on the telephone or emails are ignored, a company’s reputation may suffer. Performance audits reveal these problems so that business owners can take appropriate action.
5. Help with decision making. Employers need to have all the facts before they make hiring, promotion, and business plan decisions. By revealing what works and what does not from a customer’s perspective, mystery shopper services help business owners make these decisions with all the facts in place.
6. Answer employer questions. All employers wonder what really happens when they are not around. Virtual customers are the employer’s eyes and ears and can reveal problems that the business owner may be the last to know.
7. Gather evidence of trouble. In some cases, employee dishonesty can require action. Even when employees are not performing, though, some employers fear taking action because they fear wrongful dismissal lawsuits. In other cases, employers suspect that crime is taking place – but have no evidence. Secret shopper services can help employers get the evidence they need to act.
8. Stop criminal activity. Selling controlled substances to minors, stealing, or selling illegal services and products: These are all fears of most employers. If employees are doing something illegal at work, employers as well as the company may be held liable. Mystery shopping helps employers detect and stop this sort of activity before it threatens a business.
9. Manage a business. Most business owners are busy, and keeping track of everything is difficult. Secret shopping services offer owners an additional set of useful, impartial information that can be used in management decisions and changes.
10. Get customer insight. Most business owners would love to be able to have direct, unbiased, full information from each customer – what is working, what needs work in a company, what would make shoppers buy? Secret shopper services offer business owners the chance to ask these sorts of questions – and get answers.

Choosing the Right Mystery Shopping Company is Key

Of course, not all secret shoppers offer all the services listed, and many services vary widely in quality and in delivery. Businesses need to be careful to select a good service that offers experience, customer support, and full licensing and insurance for the local area. Some shopping services allow businesses to design their own questionnaires and set the parameters of their own research. It is often useful to pay extra to be able to ask specific questions.

The PInow.com Worldwide Directory of Private Investigators can help businesses find the right secret shopper services. If a business needs corporate and business investigations as well as performance audits, the PInow.com Worldwide Directory of Private Investigators is an excellent way to find local, qualified investigators who can help.

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New Jersey Private Investigators

24-Seven Investigations, Inc. has several offices located throughout the state of New Jersey:

• Atlantic County - Atlantic City NJ
• Burlington County - Mount Laurel NJ
• Camden County - Cherry Hill NJ
• Gloucester County - Harrisonville NJ
• Mercer County - Trenton NJ
• Middlesex County - Edison NJ
• Ocean County - Toms River NJ

The investigators and associates of 24-Seven Investigations are highly educated, and professionally trained, with years of law enforcement experience assuring our clients of the highest quality, most thorough results. All assignments are handled with complete discretion and professionalism. Personal attention is given to each client's specific needs, and communication between the investigator working the case, and the client, is maintained regularly. The dedication, experience, and associates of 24-Seven Investigations, Security & Legal Services allow for complete, accurate, and thorough investigations, performed in a timely manner.

Chandler Arizona Private Investigator

The PInow.com team would like to welcome their newest member, SEBIA LLC, to the state of Arizona.

SEBIA, LLC Investigations is a full service investigative agency. We can help you with all of your investigative needs. Our investigators are specialized in a wide range of investigations, and will help solve your problem. We are dedicated to bringing you the answers you need.

Some of the most recent cases we have handled include:

• Stalking
  
• Witness Locates
  
• Cheating Spouse
  
• Unsafe Work Conditions
  
• Workman’s Compensation
  
• Insurance Fraud
  
• Computer Forensics
  
• Surveillance
  
• Locating Friends, Family, or Heirs
  
• Welfare Checks
  
• Criminal Investigation
  
• Civil Investigation
  
• Background Checks

SEBIA, LLC has successfully helped many clients, most likely ones with the same questions and concerns you have. All initial consultations are FREE and strictly confidential.

Port Saint Lucie Florida Investigator

The PInow.com team would like to welcome their newest member, Sun State Investigative Services Inc, to the state of Florida.

Sun State Investigative Services, Inc. provides professional research and investigative services to the legal and the business communities. We are highly skilled in the use of the premier public, proprietary, media, and government databases for which we have access locally, statewide, nationally, and internationally. In depth quality research, combined with the superior investigative methods produce facts and solutions that not only work for you, but give you the confidence that your investigations are in the right hands.

For more information please see the PInow.com profile page for:
Sun State Investigative Services, Inc.