Hiring Private Detective in the Philippines: 10 Important Questions to Ask

Sometimes, you’ll find yourself in unexpected circumstances and you won’t have any other choice but to play the cards that you’re dealt with. 

So, how do you find the answers you’re looking for? By hiring a private detective in the Philippines. Whether you’re the victim of an investment scam or online dating scam, getting a professional to do the dirty work for you will not only clear your mind but also save you tons of money. 

But with dozens of PI firms out there, how do you choose the right one? Here’s a list of questions that you should ask private detectives or investigators before hiring them. 

Question 1: Are you a licensed private detective in the Philippines? 

You wouldn’t want to disclose sensitive information to just anyone. So, the first question that you need to ask private investigators is if they have the necessary license to practice in the Philippines. Don’t hesitate to ask for their license number so you can check with the Philippine National Police if they’re legit. 

It will also help if they’re aware of the local laws and they know the customs of the people in the area. They shouldn’t bring any unwarranted attention on themselves while they’re working on your case. 

Question 2: How long have you been providing your services as a private investigator?

If you were to choose between a rookie investigator and a veteran detective, which one would you choose? Of course, you would feel more comfortable turning over your case to someone with years of experience. While there’s nothing wrong with working with someone who is still new in the business, a private investigator with experience can help you get solid leads for your case. 

Question 3: How do I get ahold of you? 

Aside from knowing where their office is located, you also need to know their available hours. If a private investigator says that they can only work from 9 to 5, don’t expect to get any major traction on your case. 

Some cases require long hours of surveillance so make sure you hire someone who can be flexible with their working hours. Remember, cheating partners and criminals don’t just do their crimes during office hours. You want someone who will catch them in the act, no matter what time it is.

Question 4: How will you update me about my case? 

This is an important question to ask if the person under investigation lives or works with you. Since you don’t want to alert them that they’re being watched of followed, your private investigator should have a system in place when it comes to updating you about your case. 

Will you get a daily telephone call or a weekly report via email? Or will you meet face to face? Decide what kind of information you want to get and in what form. 

Question 5: Do you have insurance as a private detective? 

If things go wrong, you want to be sure that your private investigator is covered by an insurance policy. This way, you won’t have to take responsibility for liabilities they may incur while working on your case. 

Question 6: What are your areas of specializations? 

When looking for a private investigator, it’s best to steer clear of people who claim to know it all. Why? You want a detective who is familiar with your case. Different private investigators deal with different cases like stolen property, infidelity, child custody, and background checks. So if you want tangible results, you should hire someone who can walk their talk. 

Question 7: Do you have references you can provide?

While it’s just normal for private investigators to want to keep their identities secret, you need to know who exactly you’re dealing with. Ask if they can provide work references from past clients. It can be a business owner, lawyer or another private investigator who hired them in the past. 

Question 8: How much do your services cost? 

Unfortunately, the truth doesn’t always come cheap. Before you can hire a private investigator, make sure you can afford it. It may seem costly at first, but it’s worth it if it will buy you peace of mind. 

Also, it’s important to ask about payment terms. Read through your contract carefully to see when you should pay your private investigator. If the payment terms aren’t clearly stated in the contract, at least ask if the private investigator requires a retainer fee. Paying some money upfront is pretty standard with most private investigators. 

Question 9: Can you ensure that my case will be treated with utmost confidentiality? 

While private investigators will often guarantee case confidentiality, you need to know how they will make good on that promise. Even if they want to treat your case with utmost confidentiality, there can be situations where they are bound by law to disclose details of your case to a judge. Ask how you be protected from incrimination when this happens. 

But what if your private investigator gets caught? What if the person you’ve asked to investigate finds out that he or she is being followed? Ask your private investigator how they will protect your anonymity and if they have a back-up story. 

Question 10: Will the person I’ve asked you to investigate be notified? 

While we’re on the subject of confidentiality, you want to make sure that the person under investigation doesn’t find out that you’re watching over him or her. The private investigator should always act with your best interest in mind. They should try to keep the investigation as low-key or discreet as possible.  

Conclusion

Find answers to the questions that are keeping you up at night by hiring The Spy Experts for your PI needs. The Spy Experts is one of the most reliable PI services for doing background checks on local Filipino employees and Filipinas who are into online dating.

Our expertise will ensure that you will really know the people you’re working or talking with. Click here or fill out a form on the right sidebar to reach out to us today!