J.A.C. Approved
Frequently Asked Questions
How do private investigators charge?
In the majority of cases, private investigators will charge an hourly rate. Hourly rates can vary. Nearly all investigators will ask for a retainer fee before taking a case. It is unlikely you will find an investigator willing to do just one or two hours of investigative work. Fees vary based on the investigator's training and experience. Often the price point defines that skill level.
What is your payment policy?
We accept cash, check or money order, which may be mailed, (excluding cash), and All major credit cards
We accept cash, check or money order, which may be mailed, (excluding cash), and All major credit cards
How do you bill me?
We provide a free consultation. Investigative fees are charged by the hour with a minimum hourly retainer based on the type of investigation being conducted. The minimum retainer will vary depending on the nature and complexity of the investigation.
What is a private investigator?
A private investigator — also known as a PI, Private Detective or Private Eye — is someone that is hired to undertake an investigation. Most states require PIs to be trained and licensed. Investigators often have a law enforcement and/or a military background.
Is there a difference between a Private Investigator and a Private Detective?
Who hires private investigators?
Law firms, corporations, insurance companies, private parties and entities not involved with the government or police all have reasons to procure the services of a private investigator.
What should I do before hiring an investigator?
It is important you perform your due diligence before hiring a company. You should do the following: ask for and check references, obtain their license number and check with the state licensing board to make sure they are current and have no complaints. It may also be a good idea to check for complaints with the local Better Business Bureau.
Do private investigators have to be licensed?
Most states require a private investigator to be licensed. Some states have very strict requirements to obtain an investigative license while others have no requirements. Florida requires a state license to be issued and an Agency license for the firm.
How do I verify that someone is a licensed investigator?
Many states have online public databases you can use to verify an agency's or individual's investigation license. Additionally, many of these databases will allow you to search for valid private investigator licenses for agencies and/or individuals.
Private Investigation
The Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Division of Licensing, licenses and regulates the private investigative industry in accordance with Chapter 493, Florida Statutes. Private investigators and private investigative agencies serve in positions of trust. Untrained and unlicensed persons or businesses, or persons not of good moral character, are a threat to the public safety and welfare. The private investigative industry is regulated to ensure the interests of the public are adequately served and protected. This information has been made available to inform Florida citizens about licensing requirements.
How should I contact an investigator?
You can contact private investigators by email or phone. Once you've searched for investigators in your area, contact them by the phone number listed. If there are several investigators available in the area, you may choose to ask for a quote request. When contacting an investigator, if discretion is important, you should make sure that you are not using an email or a phone number that you share with others. Additionally, if you are emailing or leaving a voice-mail you should give explicit instructions as to when you would like your message returned.
What types of things are professional private investigators NOT allowed to do?
Although PIs have access to information the general public can not obtain, they must obey the same basic laws as ordinary citizens. Three big things they can't do:
Pose as law enforcement officers
Wire tapping
Obtain cell phone records via pre-texting
Wire tapping
Obtain cell phone records via pre-texting
What types of services do professional private investigators provide?
Private investigators offer many types of investigations. Investigators often work for law firms to gather information on civil or defense cases. Insurance companies commonly hire investigators to look into suspicious claims. Private individuals hire investigators to locate missing people, to do surveillance on spouses and for many other reasons.
A large majority of detective work is spent in the field conducting interviews or doing surveillance. Many investigators do computer searches, background checks and make phone calls to gather data. Investigators are often asked to provide detailed reports on their findings and testify in court on behalf of their clients.
The following is a brief list of the many categories that PI’s specialize in or areas they may conduct investigations:
Accident Reconstruction
Adultery
Alimony Reduction
Arson
Asset Checks
Asset Search
Background Checks
Bounty Hunter
Cheating Spouses
Child Custody
Child Recovery
Child Support / Custody
Child Visitation
Civil Investigations
Competitive Intelligence
Computer Forensics
Corporate Investigations
Covert Surveillance
Crime Scene Investigator
Criminal Defense Investigations
Criminal Investigations
CSI
Cyber Investigations
Divorce
Domestic
Due Diligence
Electronic Data Discovery
Electronic Surveillance
Executive Protection
If you are looking for someone or something, chances are a private investigator can help you.
Why not just do the Investigation myself?
Even when you are clever and resourceful, attempts at amateur investigations nearly always end in disaster. When lacking the necessary training and essential equipment, positive results will be very difficult to achieve. In the long run, performing your own investigation may prove to be a costly mistake
Do Private Investigators have access to government records?
Having a private investigator’s license does allow you access to several proprietary databases that are not available to the general public.
Financial
Fire
Forensic
Fraud
General Investigations
Homicide Investigations
Identity Theft
Infidelity
Insurance Investigations
International Background Checks
International Private Investigator
Internet Profiling
Investigator
Judgment Recovery
Missing Children
Missing Persons
Mystery Shopper
Photo Surveillance
Polygraph
Pre-Employment Background Searches
Premarital
Process Service
Public Record Searches
Repossession
Skip Tracing
Surveillance
Trial Preparation
Video Surveillance
Workers Compensation
Wrongful Death
Fire
Forensic
Fraud
General Investigations
Homicide Investigations
Identity Theft
Infidelity
Insurance Investigations
International Background Checks
International Private Investigator
Internet Profiling
Investigator
Judgment Recovery
Missing Children
Missing Persons
Mystery Shopper
Photo Surveillance
Polygraph
Pre-Employment Background Searches
Premarital
Process Service
Public Record Searches
Repossession
Skip Tracing
Surveillance
Trial Preparation
Video Surveillance
Workers Compensation
Wrongful Death