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# Choosing a Private Investigator: What to Look For

By Dan Dorney, InSecret

Hiring a private investigator usually means you're already dealing with something stressful, so the last thing you need is to make the wrong choice of who to trust with it. Here's what's actually worth checking before you instruct anyone.

## Do they offer a proper consultation first?

A genuine investigator will want to understand your situation properly before quoting anything. Be wary of anyone pushing you to commit or pay before they've actually listened to what you need.

## Is the pricing clear and upfront?

You should know roughly what something will cost, and what's included, before work begins. Vague pricing, or pressure to pay a large sum immediately with no clear breakdown, is a common red flag.

## Do they talk about staying within the law?

A properly run investigator should be upfront about what they will and won't do, and why. If someone is offering to do things like intercept phone calls, hack accounts, or trespass onto private property, that's not confidence, it's a legal liability for both of you.

## How seriously do they take confidentiality?

Ask how your case will be handled internally, who has access to it, and how it's discussed. A professional operation works on a strict need-to-know basis and won't hand your case around a call centre or multiple staff unnecessarily.

## Can they explain how evidence is gathered and documented?

If there's any chance the outcome needs to go to a solicitor or a court, ask how evidence is recorded and time-stamped. A vague answer here is a sign the evidence may not hold up when it matters most.

## Do they promise a specific outcome?

Be cautious of anyone who guarantees a particular result before they've even started. Genuine investigations follow the facts; nobody can honestly promise what those facts will turn out to be in advance.

## Trust how the conversation feels

Beyond the practical checklist, pay attention to how you're treated in that first conversation. You should come away feeling listened to, not judged, and clear on what happens next.

If you're weighing up your options, we're happy to talk it through with no pressure and no obligation.

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