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 FAQ for Private Investigations

Welcome to our FAQ page! We've compiled a list of common inquiries to provide quick and helpful answers about private investigation services. We aim to address your concerns and assist you in making informed decisions.

Transparency and open communication are some of our priorities for our clients. If you can't find the answer you're looking for, our dedicated team is just a message or call away. We are here to guide and support you throughout your investigative journey.

Browse the questions below for the information you seek. Thank you for considering KB Tenacious, LLC as your trusted partner in seeking the truth, protecting interests, and achieving peace of mind.

 

[ How much does a private investigator cost? ]

The cost of a private investigator ranges vastly on the service that is being requested. You can generally find an investigator for $50 - $200 per hour, based on experience.

 

[ Is it worth it to hire a private investigator? ]

This question is based on your current situation, need for the truth, and personal finances. It's important to consider all these factors before hiring a private investigator. It never hurts to call and talk to one of our team members about your concerns and some options to help best resolve them.

[ How is your skip tracing special? ]

We distinguish our skip tracing services at KB Tenacious by utilizing a multi-faceted approach. By doing this, not only are we able to verify our information before we give it to you, but we also can offer you more than just the standard report. We are also able to provide you with more information. Our methodology encompasses the following:

  • Multiple Data Sources: We access a wide array of databases, including public records, private databases, and online resources, to gather comprehensive information on the subject.

  • Cross-Verification: Information obtained is meticulously cross-verified for accuracy. By cross-referencing data points, we minimize the risk of false positives, ensuring that the information provided is reliable.

  • Customized Investigation: Understanding that each case is unique, we tailor our skip trace efforts to the specific circumstances. For example, let's say we find two addresses that look great! We will try to verify through any legal and ethical ways at our disposal. Then, we will let you know our findings and still provide you with both addresses so you can be fully informed.

  • Extra Details: When it's essential that you locate someone, then it's important that what you pay for gives you all you can get. We provide more details than just an address when we do a skip trace.

[ Can you hack into or track someone's phone? ]

This is where some of that entertainment magic comes into play. Private investigators are not legally allowed to hack into things or track someone's phone. White hat hackers can be employed with the express consent of the owners of the data being hacked to assist in finding ways to protect data in a process called penetration testing. You would want to contact a cybersecurity company about this if you were interested in that kind of service. As private investigators, we can assist the owner of a computer or phone in checking it for unauthorized surveillance equipment (i.e, trackers like Life 360 that were installed without your permission) or in assisting in finding hidden data on your computer using computer forensics. We can also help in physical penetration testing, ensuring your home or business is secured against in-person threats.

[ Why hire a private investigator? ]

The main reason to hire a private investigator is to find the truth. Rather you are looking to find out if your relationship has infidelity, what your spouse is doing when they leave the house, or if you are in court and need to find evidence to assist with your case, there are a multitude of reasons to hire a private investigator. We are only a phone call away if you need solid evidence or just want to know the answer.

[ What should I look for when hiring a private investigator? ]

There is a few things you want to look for when hiring an investigator:


1. You want to make sure they are licensed and insured.


2. You want to know what kind of experience they have and if they have any specialty.


3. You want to know that they are going to be ethical and that they know the laws for your state. A private investigator IS NOT A ATTORNEY (we can't stress this enough), but they do have to know the laws to best protect you, themselves, and the evidence they collect.


4. Know the cost of the service that you're looking into. A good investigator may not be able to give you an exact number. But a price per hour and/or a general estimate should be available.


5. To go with the cost of services, you want to ask if there are any payment options. Many investigators may not offer this but it helps to ask if you need it.


6. You will want to make sure how they plan to ensure privacy and confidentiality. A private investigator needs to be able to keep a secret!

[ Are private investigators legal in WA? ]

Private investigators are legal in WA if they hold a state-issued license. This should be available and on them, at all times they perform investigative duties.

[ Can anyone hire a private investigator? ]

Yes, anyone from individual to businesses can hire a private investigator.

[ What are some private investigator limitations? ]

Private investigators are often expected to perform as they are portrayed on TV. Unfortunately, a private investigator has strict limitations when fulfilling their duties. They are bound by the state's laws as strictly as any civilian. That is why an essential skill of a private investigator is to be resourceful and think quickly on their feet. Here is a list of some, but not all, limitations of a private investigator.


1. A PI can not trespass or break into places.


2. A PI MUST respect someone's reasonable expectation of privacy (i.e, we can't take a photo of a subject inside someone's home).


3. In WA state, we cannot audio record without the express permission of all those involved. This includes placing bugs in your home. This does change in other states.


4. We cannot hack into people's phones or computers.


5. We cannot place tracking/GPS devices on someone's car to follow them.


6. We are not able to arrest someone. We can perform a citizen's arrest, just as any other citizen, and may carry handcuffs to assist in this. We also have strong connections to law enforcement and will contact them if needed.


7. We cannot falsify evidence.

Unfortunately, for this line of work, this list is minimal compared to the complete list of things we cannot do. We will inform you of things we can not do based on your case and questions during intake if you choose to use our services. We assure you that despite the laws that restrict us, we are very resourceful in completing the job that needs to be done and, per our name, are very tenacious.

[ Can you provide a test to tell if my spouse is cheating? ]

We get asked this often; unfortunately, the answer is kind of. There is no 100% way to test someone for infidelity. But surveillance is an excellent place to start if you are looking to be discreet, and, of course, if you are looking to be more direct about the question, then a polygraph is an excellent option. Understand that trust is an integral part of a relationship. So, if you believe your spouse is cheating, we recommend being pretty sure before accusing someone. Talking to your spouse about your concerns is always a great first step. But we are always here for you if you need us.

[ Can't I just use those online background check services? ]

Yes, and we encourage it if you want a quick check on someone you're talking to. But these sources just compile already publicly available information from online. They are a wonderful source, but private investigators have more detailed, accurate, and comprehensive tools, data sources, and skills. Some of our resources are only available to people who hold specific licenses. We can go deeper into information and not only is the information we provide more accurate but also more up-to-date!

If money is tight and you are just looking for a quick, somewhat informative answer, then check out many of the services online. But if you are serious about the information you need to collect, it's essential to be up-to-date and accurate. Give us a call.

 

[ I have a question that is not listed here? ]

We can't cover everything on one page. So if you have questions, please reach out to us. We are always happy to help.

 

[ I want to work with you, how do I apply?]

First, we'd love to hear from you! Give us a call and chat with our friendly team to find out about our current openings. If we're looking for someone with your skills, we'll guide you on how to apply.

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