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Private Investigator Questions: Make sure you ask them!

19May, 2014

As you may or may not know on 31^st July 2013 the Home Secretary, Teresa May, announced the Governments intention to have private investigators regulated/licensed through the Security Industry Authority.

As it stands today April 29^th 2014 the licensing of Private Investigators in the UK appears to still be some way off being implemented.  Therefore when deciding which investigation firm you should choose to help you there are a few vital things that should be looked at. Here is a list of the things you should be looking at before deciding who to instruct:

•  Does the private investigation firm have a physical address that you can contact them at and visit if required?
• Is the company or directors of the company members of any recognised trade associations such The Association of British Investigators?
• Does the company advertise with a landline number and not just a mobile?
• Is the company operating as a Limited company, if so do they show details of the company’s registered address?
• Are you able to pay the Agency in various ways, such as, credit and debit card, bank transfer etc and not just cash?
• Does the company have a history of trading successfully over a prolonged period?
• Does the company have Professional Indemnity Insurance?
• Is the agency registered with the Information Commissioners Office?
• Does the company agree that licensing of private investigators in the UK is a good thing and should be implemented as soon as possible?
• Are you offered a personal case manager who you can contact to discuss your case?
• Does the Agency offer clear and concise payment terms?

When you telephone an agency or email them do not be afraid to ask questions, the more questions you ask the better chance you have or being sure that you instruct the right company for you.

As the law stands right now ANYONE can call themselves a professional private investigator or private detective agency.  For instance, it may be someone who has a string of criminal offences who has had a professional looking website designed.

Instructing a private investigator can be a very personal decision, you need to be 100% certain that the agency you instruct is going to respect the personal nature of the instruction and be assured they will act in your best interest at all times.

Doing a simple Google search for say ‘private investigators London’ will show result detailing many many different agencies to choose from., it’s vital that you instruct the right company.

 DO NOT BE AFRAID TO ASK A PRIVATE INVESTIGATOR QUESTIONS!!!