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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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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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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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.

New York New York Private Investigator

The PInow.com team would like to welcome their newest member, Pinnacle Protective Services Inc, to the state of New York.

Pinnacle Protective Services reputation within the legal, manufacturing, insurance, and investigative communities is unparalleled. Pinnacle Protective Services, Inc., provides a full range of investigative specialties. From the cutting edge of Information Technology to Sam Spade tradecraft, our professional investigators will provide you with the knowledge and evidence you need, be it locally, nationally, or internationally.

We apply multiple disciplines to arrive at solutions for cases that may morph as the problems or issues change. 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:
Pinnacle Protective Services Inc

Gainesville Florida Investigator

The PInow.com team would like to welcome their newest member, Jack Smith Investigations, to the state of Florida.

Jack Smith is retired after having spent twenty five years in a local law enforcement
agency. He is well versed in all area's of the law and spent twenty years assigned to
the Forensic Unit where he was subjected to a variety of Crime Scenes ranging from
minor burglaries to major homicides.

Jack Smith has served as an expert witness in Circuit Court, Federal Court, Judicial
Hearings and Traffic Court in fingerprint analysis and crime scene processing and
evidence collecting procedures. Certified with AFIS through the Florida Department of
Law Enforcement, he has also received training with the FBI, and the International
Association of Identification.

For more information please see the PInow.com profile page for:
Jack Smith Investigations

Tallahassee FL Private Investigator

The PInow.com team would like to welcome their newest member, AKA Investigations & Information Specialists, to the state of Florida.

AKA is a full service investigations agency that provides a wide range of legal investigative services for attorneys, insurance agents, corporations, business owners, human resource officers, government entities, individuals and other private investigators. We are committed to client privacy and conduct all of our investigations and assignments with complete confidentiality and discretion. AKA is fully licensed (#A2500058) and insured. Our Tallahassee, Florida location provides direct and quick access to numerous government agencies and offices, enabling AKA to provide clients with accurate and timely services in the most cost effective manner. AKA also has access to numerous out-of-state resources, agencies and national databases throughout the United States allowing us to obtain similar information from other jurisdictions.

St Augustine Florida PI

The PInow.com team would like to welcome their newest member, Web Exploration Group LLC, to the state of Florida.

Former Special Forces Green Beret, Unorthodox Methods Used, 100% Success Rate. The Web Exploration Group provides investigation, process service and security consultancy throughout Florida. The foundation of our team’s expertise is rests on our founder’s 20 years of experience in the civilian and military fields.

Our private investigators, who are licensed in the states of New York and Florida, have access to the Web Group's state-of-the-art investigative and surveillance equipment. Given our diverse background, we understand that in order to get results, we may have to conduct business by unorthodox means. To be candid, we are not your run-of-the-mill investigative service. We do not operate using predictable or patterned methods.

For more information please see the PInow.com profile page for:
Web Exploration Group, LLC

Santa Ana CA Private Investigator

The PInow.com team would like to welcome their latest California investigator: 877Truth99.com.

877Truth99.com has been providing professional services to large and small businesses, law firms, insurance companies and private citizens for over 18 years.

Staffed by seasoned professional process services and investigators, we're trained to deal with all aspects of process serving, on-site document reproduction and investigations. We utilize sophisticated investigative techniques, and incorporate the latest technology. This coupled with our agency's tried-and-true, street-smart investigative experience, provides our clients with the best possible services. Our staff excels in solving problems involving complex issues. No matter what your need, you will find us knowledgeable, skilled and professional.

877 Truth99.com offers local, nationwide and international investigative and process services.

Ellisville MS Private Investigator

The PInow.com team would like to welcome their newest member, Keith Davis Investigations LLC, to the state of Mississippi.

Keith Davis Investigations provides investigative services to all of Jones County, MS and surrounding counties.

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

Ft Collins Colorado Investigator

The PInow.com team would like to welcome their newest member, Front Range Surveillance, to Larimer County, CO.

The Front Range Surveillance investigative professionals will assist corporations, law firms, insurance companies and individuals in a number of areas of investigation. No matter what your investigative needs are, Front Range can help you in obtaining the information you are seeking.

Denver Colorado Private Investigator

The PInow.com team would like to welcome their newest member, Front Range Surveillance, to the state of Colorado.

The investigative professionals at Front Range Surveillance can assist corporations, law firms, insurance companies and individuals in a number of areas of investigation. Regardless of your investigative needs, Front Range Surveillance can assist you in obtaining the information you are seeking. Front Range Surveillance covers all of Colorado.

For more information please see the PInow.com profile page for:
Front Range Surveillance

Garland Texas Private Investigator

The PInow.com team would like to welcome their newest member, Investigative Solutions Group, Unlimited, to Texas.

With over 21 years of experience in investigations in both persona and corporate settings, Mrs. Rose is dedicated to supplying precise and accurate information by being involved in every case handled by this firm. Mrs. Rose utilizes her paralegal training in designing informative, but non-incriminating reports for the client's protection. ISGU strives to give the most professional and personal service in the industry.

Ready to meet the client's needs, ISGU offers custom designed reports, and uses the most up-to-date equipment (i.e., pin-hole cameras, low-light recording) at no additional cost to the client. ISGU achieves the most important goal: Securing accurate and relevant information in an expedient and cost effective manner. With the combined expertise of ISGU’s excellent staff, many of the nation’s top companies have come to rely on ISGU’s services PRIOR to making a decision and the relying on a Plan of Action recommended by ISGU.

For more information please see the PInow.com profile page for:
Investigative Solutions Group, Unlimited

Tampa Fl Private Investigator

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

Robert W. Gietzen has 35 years of investigative Experience, 20 of those years spent as a law enforcement officer on county and state levels. 15 years were spent as a state attorney investigator where he specialized in sophisticated white collar crime cases.

Mr. Gietzen has a degree in police science and administration and is a Florida Certified Investigator. He is a Board Certified Criminal Defense Investigator and has testified as an expert in state and federal court in the area of investigations. He is also a past president of the Florida Association of Professional Process Servers. In following through with his part in the investigative community Mr. Gietzen was an adjunct professor and author of the syllabus for Hillsborough Community College's private investigator's course.

After retirement from law enforcement Mr. Gietzen founded Gietzen & Associates, Inc. to provide a high quality, full service investigative agency. As a result of his endeavor to provide the the best service and his eye for talented people, Mr. Gietzen employs only highly qualified staff members.

Gietzen & Associates, Inc. provides superior service of process to all clients (federal, state, county, civil and criminal) at reasonable rates while at all times maintaining the highest standards of professionalism.

For more information please see:
Gietzen & Associates, Inc

Investigation News - Nanny 911: Top Warning Signs You Need Another Nanny Check – And An Investigator - PInow.com Investigator Directory

Parents are increasingly worried about the caregivers who care for their children. While carefully pre-employment screening can help parents find qualified nannies and babysitters, parents need to remain vigilant even after hiring, as problems can occur at any time.

According to 2002 census studies, about 360,000 US children (or about 3.7%) were cared for by non-relatives in their own home. These child care workers included au pairs, babysitters, and nannies working in the child’s family home. Given that so many parents are allowing caregivers into their home – and trusting these individuals with the welfare of their children – it is not surprising that many parents worry about the care their children receive. High-profile cases of nannies and babysitters accused of abuse only heighten anxiety.

Before Hiring A Nanny

To get the best possible care for their children, parents need to be pro-active in hiring the best possible caregivers. Complex hiring laws mean that parents cannot always ask the questions they wish to ask in order to hire the best possible nanny or babysitter. Caregiver agencies may or may not have strict hiring guidelines in place, so an agency is not always a better option. To really find out whether a caregiver is safe, parents need to turn to an experienced, local investigator, who can conduct a completely legal but thorough pre-employment check on the caregiver.

Potential Signs of Trouble

Even when parents have chosen a babysitter, nanny, or caregiver wisely, child safety is not guaranteed. Parents need to remain alert, since changes in the nanny’s personal life may affect the caregiver’s behavior after the caregivers are hired. A nanny may not have a record of reckless driving or criminal behavior, but can develop serious problems at any time. Staying alert for signs of trouble include watching for the following signs:

• Sudden lack of communication. Good caregivers spend time talking with parents and with children. This helps keep lines of communication open and helps put everyone at ease. If a nanny suddenly becomes withdrawn, there may be a personal problem or issue that needs to be resolved.

• Changes in appearance, weight, or personal hygiene habits. Again, this can be a sign of a worry or problem. It can also signal a problem that can affect the caregiver’s ability to do their job. Parents should ask whether everything is alright and make an offer of help.

• A new group of friends that seem to be a bad influence. Not every parent knows who their nanny or caregiver socializes with. However, if a parent suddenly notices their caregiver spending time with questionable persons, that may be a sign of trouble.

• Sudden changes in behavior.

• Sudden changes in children’s behavior. If children suddenly have an issue with the caregiver or seem to be having more accidents than normal, resulting in bruises, it is time for parents to get involved.

• Others report signs of problems. Parents may be among the last to know that a caregiver is in trouble. All reports of potential problems must be taken seriously.

Any parent who notices signs of trouble after hiring a nanny should contact a qualified private investigator for help. An experienced private investigator can run a discreet and completely legal investigation to ensure that the children are safe and well cared for.

Are Nanny Cams The Answer?

Many parents worry even when there are no warning signs of trouble. After all, in some cases there are no signs of problems until disaster strikes. Some people are simply very good at hiding neglect, criminal behavior, or personal problems. As a result, some parents consider nanny cams as a possible solution. These hidden cameras monitor nannies and caregivers occasionally or around the clock, giving parents a “sneak peek” at what goes on when the caregiver is left alone with children.

Nanny cams can uncover and stop child abuse and neglect. They can also be an inexpensive way to get some peace of mind. However, these types of spy cameras can cause a number of legal hassles. In many cases, videotaping someone without their consent can lead to lawsuits. In California, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Hawaii, Illinois, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Montana, Nevada, New Hampshire, Oregon, Pennsylvania, and Washington it is illegal to tape someone without their consent. At the very least, videotaping a caregiver without getting their consent can lead to friction and to a termination of employment – not what most parents want when they find a qualified caregiver.

The solution is to ask for permission before installing a nanny cam. Parents who think there may be something amiss need to take additional steps – it is unlikely that caregivers will allow themselves to be caught on tape neglecting or abusing their charges. A better solution is a private investigator, who can set up a surveillance system in the home and legally gather evidence that will stand up in court. A qualified investigator will provide more thorough information than a nanny cam and will do a better job of protecting children from potential abuse and neglect.

Parents everywhere can use the PInow.com Worldwide Directory of Private Investigators to find local, qualified investigators who can help them get the truth about caregivers. For real results from professional investigators, the PInow.com Worldwide Directory of Private Investigators is the smart parent’s choice.

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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Does the Internet Make Cheating Easier – Or Just Easier to Detect?

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Orange CA Private Investigator

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

Mancini & Associates is a full service investigation firm specializing in litigation preparation (criminal & civil), insurance defense (property & casualty, liability, and workers’ compensation), subrogation and entertainment related matters. For a free consultation, please call (800) 719-1574.

David Mancini (President) has over 16 years of investigative experience both as a police officer and within the private sector. Brian Liddy (Vice President) has over 24 years of investigative experience both as a police officer and within the private sector.

For more information please see:
Mancini & Associates

Social Security agency warns of e-mail scam

The U.S. Social Security Administration is warning the public about a fraudulent e-mail purporting to be from the agency and designed to lure users into divulging personal information.

In a statement published on its Web site, the SSA said it has received several reports of an e-mail being circulated with the subject header of "Cost-of-Living for 2007 update." The e-mail is designed to appear as if it were from the agency and provides information about a 3.3% benefit increase for 2007. It then proceeds to ask the recipient for personal information warning that those who failed to provide it by Nov. 11 would have their accounts suspended indefinitely.

Social Security agency warns of e-mail scam

School Asking Parents For Criminal Background Check

Times are changing for kids in school and school policies are changing right along with them.

Starting this year, Lubbock Independent School District is making every school volunteer, including parents, fill out a criminal history background check. NewsChannel 11's Jennifer Vogel asks questions about how this new system will mean even more safety for students.

This policy comes one year after David Kennimer was found guilty of sneaking onto the Dupree Elementary campus, taking pictures of little girls and molesting one of them. During his October 3rd trial the principal said they did do a criminal background check on Kennimer, but the results didn't come back until too late. Now, LISD has a new policy and a new company that will get results faster.

Click here to read the full article

Mortgage Fraud: The Worst Crime You’ve Never Heard Of

Recently, a developer regaled me with a story about a house that seemed to be cursed.

Although he beautifully renovated it and priced it below market, the Oakland bungalow just wouldn’t sell. Deals fell through repeatedly for bizarre and unrelated reasons: Buyers got cold feet, or moved — one was even arrested. By the time the fourth deal collapsed, the developer was in an acute state of financial panic.

So, when one of the mortgage brokers who had helped a previous prospective buyer called with a new one who would close the deal for — get this — $100,000 over the asking price, he naturally jumped at the offer.

“The catch was that I had to give the $100K back to them after the close of escrow,” the guy told me, still looking shell-shocked. “I couldn’t understand why they would want to do that. The place was completely remodeled.” (Most buyers who get cash back after escrow pour that money into repairs. Typically, though, lenders like to keep this amount to no more than 3 percent of the purchase price.)

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Background checks now can avert problems later

The hiring process is time-consuming and expensive enough without adding possible litigation to the list of employer concerns.

Unfortunately, recent statistics overwhelmingly demonstrate that many companies, ranging from family-owned businesses to major corporations, make mistakes that leave them open to unnecessary risk:

• Research conducted by the Society for Human Resource Management shows that 50 percent of all resumes and applications contain fabrications.

• The U.S. Department of Commerce estimates that employee theft causes 33 percent of all business failures.

• According to Department of Justice statistics, workplace violence accounts for 18 percent of all violent crimes.

• Overall, 66 percent of negligent hiring trial cases result in jury awards averaging $600,000 in damages, and the Workplace Violence Research Institute reports that the average jury award for civil suits on behalf of the injured is $3 million.

While most companies provide applicants with standard employment applications, review resumes and conduct interviews, in today’s society, additional steps are required to create a thorough and thoughtful hiring process, even when recruiters are involved.

Read the entire article by clicking here

Your Toolkit For A Successful Missing Persons Investigation

While no family wants to consider what may happen if a loved one goes missing, knowing what to do is a must. Being prepared greatly increases the chances that the missing person will be returned quickly and safely.

When a loved one goes missing, panic as well as worry sets in. Although no one wants to think about the possibility of having a loved one go missing, if the worst does happen, being prepared can drastically improve the chances of finding the missing person quickly. For parents, especially, having a toolkit is essential for peace of mind. Knowing what to do and where to turn when the worst happens is imperative. In cases where a loved one has Alzheimer’s or another condition that can mean they can get lost easily, being prepared only makes sense.

If A Loved One Goes Missing

If a loved one goes missing, contact the police. Many law enforcement agencies have policies about handling missing persons cases. Some agencies do not consider a person missing until a specific amount of time has passed. It can be extremely upsetting to hear that a loved one is not considered missing and that police can do nothing, but staying calm and making that initial phone call to the authorities is a must. It gets the process of filing a missing person’s report started. Calling the police also ensures that if the authorities do encounter any information about the missing person, they can use that information right away.

If a loved one goes missing, it is also important to gather as much information as possible. The last known location and the last person to speak to the missing person can be important clues for authorities. Information about what the person was last wearing can also be useful. Gathering together personal effects, phone numbers of friends, and recent photographs can all help trace a missing person.

Many families decide to hire a private investigator if a missing persons case is not resolved quickly. A professional investigator can use surveillance and other methods to locate people. An investigator may be able to devote more time to a specific case than the local law enforcement professionals and may be more willing to work closely with families to find missing persons.

What You Should Have In a Missing Persons Kit to Give To Authorities

Gathering or already having specific items can really help locate missing family members fast. Parents with children and families who have persons at risk should gather the following:

• Basic information. Information about a person’s habits, height, weight, eye color and other physical characteristics are important for all people locate cases.

• Recent videos and photographs. While videos are best, high-quality photos are also important in helping authorities identify missing persons. In the Elizabeth Smart case, it was pictures of the girl that led to her safe return home. Having photos and videos to offer to the media, especially, can be useful.

• Personal history. Any past medical problems or similar situations should be shared with authorities.

• Identifying characteristics. Any tattoos, body piercings, or medical alert bracelets should be described to authorities. If a loved one has a condition that may allow them to wander off, providing that family member with a medical alert bracelet can be important, as it can tell authorities that the person needs help – even before a missing persons report is filed.

• Media contacts. Unfortunately, media coverage can determine the success of a missing persons case. The recent case of Michelle Gardner-Quinn in Vermont got extensive media coverage, meaning that many more people were aware of the crime. In the Elizabeth Smart case, national coverage eventually broke the case when the girl was spotted by someone who had seen the media reports on the girl’s abduction. That tip led to Smart’s return home.

• Personal information. Information about where a person may turn can provide important leads. Having access to someone’s phone list, cell phone number (investigators can trace calls made to and from the phone) and planner can all tell authorities where a person is most likely to go.

Why Hiring A Private Investigator Makes Sense

While local law enforcement is the first place families should call, police enforcement agencies only look for missing persons in specific cases. In many cities, police agencies have very limited resources to spend on missing persons cases. Unfortunately, it often seems that police officers often look for missing persons who have the most media attention. For all these reasons, many families choose to hire a private investigator with person locate experience when a family member goes missing. An investigator is often willing to get involved in a case right away. A professional investigator also lets you remain involved in the case, and will keep looking until you say otherwise.

Finding a qualified, experienced investigator is as simple as consulting the PInow.com Worldwide Directory of Private Investigators. With the PInow.com Worldwide Directory of Private Investigators, anyone can find a professional investigator who can help.

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PInow.com Investigation News

Your Civil Case May Require a Private Investigator

Anyone involved in a civil suit likely has an attorney to represent them legally. More and more plaintiffs, though, are finding that consulting with a civil investigator as well as an attorney can produce better legal results.

In October 2006, 3,000 pounds of seudoephedrine (a substance used to make the illicit and very addictive drug methamphetamine) were sized in a Kearny, New Jersey warehouse by federal Drug Enforcement Administration agents. The tip off that the drug was there came from civil investigators. In October 2006, as well, civil investigations into alleged price fixing by airlines led to the resignation of two high-level directors at airlines.

The truth is, civil investigators get results and often work closely with criminal investigators to uncover fraud, harassment, and other criminal activity. Attorneys often use civil investigators to gather information and evidence needed to win civil cases. However, and increasing number of plaintiffs are hiring civil investigators on their own. By hiring both an investigator and attorney, some plaintiffs are finding they can enjoy better results as well as more control over their cases. For example, plaintiffs involved in a drawn-out sexual harassment lawsuit against Thurston County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office were able to gather evidence of inappropriate language through civil investigation.

There are a number of civil cases that can be helped along with a civil investigation:

• Child custody and recovery cases. In these cases, civil investigators can uncover evidence of child abuse or neglect that can prove whether one spouse should be entrusted with the children more. Asset searches in these cases can reveal whether one spouse has hidden assets that can be used to support the children.

• Corporate cases. In these cases, civil investigators can use due diligence investigations, asset searches, surveillance, witness location, and computer investigations to uncover the sometimes complicated details of company management. These investigations can be a big help for companies facing due diligence, fraud, or other lawsuit cases. Businesses affected by theft of trade secrets or trademark infringement can also benefit from civil investigators, who can find the evidence needed to start a lawsuit that can mean compensation for businesses.

• Marital infidelity cases. Civil investigators can gather evidence of infidelity that can help in civil suits and lawsuits in court.

• Missing person’s cases. Civil investigators can use skip tracing and missing persons investigations to locate people who are lost. In cases where foul play is suspected, investigators can gather the evidence that may be needed in a criminal investigation.

• Personal injury cases. For anyone injured by a defective product or accident, civil investigators can be a big help. They can uncover evidence of neglect or recklessness, and this can help victims get compensation for their medical bills and other costs associated with the personal injury.

• Workers compensation cases. Civil investigators can use surveillance and other methods to gather evidence of workers compensation fraud for companies who may be unwittingly paying benefits to workers who are, in fact, fit to work. For individual workers, civil investigators can gather evidence of incomplete compensation pay or other problems.

Anyone involved in a civil suit should speak to their attorney to find out what steps are being taken to gather evidence for the case. Plaintiffs may want to spend extra time talking to an investigator on their own if they need additional evidence or worry about the quality of evidence gathered by the attorney’s own investigative team.

Finding a civil investigator to help in these cases is not difficult. Anyone can find a qualified investigator in their area through the PInow.com Worldwide Directory of Private Investigators. The PInow.com Worldwide Directory of Private Investigators offers the facts and listings that can help anyone find an experienced investigator fast.

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New York NY Private Investigator

The PInow.com team would like to welcome their newest member to New York.

Sherlock Investigations, Inc. provides investigative services to all of New York City. Whatever your problem, Sherlock's private investigators are here to help you. We're old-fashioned private investigators with modern tools, not data brokers or information brokers. Your privacy and confidentiality is assured. Based in New York City, Sherlock Investigations' clients come from all 50 states and 75 countries. As a result, Sherlock's private investigators are among the best known in the world. Sherlock's clients include politicians, law enforcement, entertainers, attorneys, accountants, manufacturers, publishers, the fashion world, and private citizens.
Sherlock's full staff of private investigators welcome the challenge of unusual cases.

For more information please see:
Sherlock Investigations, Inc.

Investigator in Mason Ohio

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

Innovative Investigative Services provides investigative services to Warren County, OH. Robert A. Jack, Owner & Chief Investigator, brings nearly 40 years of investigative experience to Innovative. After serving six years in the USAF Criminal Investigative Section and a member of the OSI critical incident team, Robert joined the Mason Ohio Police Department where he served as a departmental supervisor for 23 of his 26 year career. While with the Mason Police Department Robert supervised the departments Field Training Program as well as the NCIC/LEADS criminal database. Robert was also a Traffic Crash Investigator, Police Canine/Bloodhound Trainer, and served on the Warren County Arson and Vehicle Theft Task Force.

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Innovative Investigative Services

Centennial Colorado Private Investigator

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

Alliance Background Investigation of Colorado, LLC provides investigative services to Douglas, Arapahoe, Jefferson, and Denver County, CO. Alliance Background Investigation offers a comprehensive variety of investigative and consumer services in research, people locates, and general investigations specializing in prevention of business fraud, background investigations, asset tracing and educational and reference verification.

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Alliance Background Investigation of Colorado, LLC

How well do you know your Nanny or Babysitter?

Babysitter and nanny checks can help you find the right caregiver for your child.

If you are hiring a nanny, au pair, babysitter, tutor, or child caregiver of any kind, you need to check carefully. The news is full of stories of children who have been abused, hurt, and even killed through the recklessness or instability of the adult who was entrusted to care for them. Sadly, behind each of these headlines is a real-life tragedy. You do not want this to happen to you, so if you rely on anyone to care for your child - whether for weeks or just a few hours, you should consider running a thorough nanny check or babysitter check.

Experts recommend that at the very least you check:

1) References. This means more than glancing at the names a caregiver has printed on their resume. Call each reference and ask very specific questions: How long have you known this person? How did you find this caregiver? Can you give some specific examples of what the caregiver did right? Can you give an example of something you were unpleased with? How long did this person care for your child or children? Would you hire this person again? Why do you no longer hire this person (if this is the case)? Remember: caregivers can ask friends and acquaintances to act as references and some people will give positive references simply because they do not know someone well. Make sure that you are dealing with someone who knows the applicant well enough to judge and can provide you with specific reasons to hire this person.

2) Driving records. Having a private investigator run a nanny background check or babysitter public records search may seem extreme, but it is actually a surprisingly affordable way to make sure your trust is not badly misplaced. Making sure that your babysitter or nanny does not have DUI convictions, reckless driving incidents, or a string of accidents is crucial if your child’s caregiver will be driving your children anywhere.

3) Credit Checks. A big part of many babysitter checks and nanny checks includes credit checks. This is simply because credit is a good measure of overall responsibility. If someone is responsible with their financial responsibilities, they are more likely to be mature and responsible with their jobs.

4) Criminal Records. Almost all babysitter and nanny checks include criminal records checks. If your caregiver has a history of sexual assault or a criminal record, you will certainly want to know that before you hire them.

5) Experience. Again, when you call references, confirm how long your potential nanny or au pair has worked in the field. While experience is not everything, it is more likely to create a caregiver who can cope with most situations, which is crucial if you will be entrusting that person with your children.

6) Skills. Find out what specific skills (and related experience) a babysitter or nanny has. If they have acted as a tutor or have worked with special needs children, for example, these skills may translate to a higher level of care for your children.

7) Child Reaction. A crucial nanny check and babysitter check that many parents overlook is the child reaction. Does you child actually like their nanny or babysitter? If not, there could be something going on that you do not know about. Be especially careful about checking the reactions of children who are too young to talk. While it is normal for children to not want you to leave them with a stranger, any child who is not comfortable with their caregiver is not going to be on their best behavior. For both your child’s sake and the good of the caregiver, find a new babysitter or nanny.

8) Education. While the education requirements for au pairs and nannies do not have to be great, someone who has an emergency course, babysitting course, or child care course from a reputable source will at least be able to deal with common problems and emergencies – something that can keep your children safe and can offer you some peace of mind.

It may be unfair to expect the perfect child caregiver, nanny, or babysitter, but you owe it to your family to find the best person to take care of your children while you are away. That means running a careful nanny or babysitter check – or leaving that check to professional investigators – so that you can make an informed hiring decision.

This is not something you should ever cut corners on. If you do not have the time to check out applicants for yourself, look to the PInow.com Investigator Directory to find a local, qualified investigator who can run a nanny investigation or babysitter investigation for you. It could be the most important choice you make.

NOTE: When hiring a company to do any type of pre-employment screen you should make sure that they are a licensed Consumer Reporting Agency and provide their services in accordance with the Fair Credit Reporting Act.

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PInow.com Investigation News