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

Last Updated on March 7, 2023

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 an online dating scam, getting someone do the private investigation for you will clear your mind and save you tons of money. 

But with dozens of PI firms, how do you choose the right one? Here’s a list of questions you should ask private detectives or investigators that lets you do due diligence 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 you must ask Philippines 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 know the people’s customs in the area. They shouldn’t bring themselves any unwarranted attention while working on your case. 

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

What would you choose if you were to choose between a rookie investigator and a veteran detective? 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 expertise 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 local Philippines private investigator says they can only work from 9 to 5, don’t expect to get significant 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 to catch them in the act, no matter what time.

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

This is an important question if the person under investigation lives or works with you. Since you don’t want to alert them that they’re being watched or followed, your private investigator should have a system to update 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 an insurance policy covers your private investigator. 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 specialization? 

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.

Professional private investigators deal with other issues like cell phone tracking, stolen property, infidelity or cheating partner, romance scams, child custody, intellectual property, and background checks.

Each specialization caters to your specific needs. If you want to make sure that you’re hiring a qualified person for the job, a background investigations is in order. This will uncover if the applicant has a history of bad behavior involving sexual harassment and others.

If your loved one has been missing for days now, you need someone who can do missing persons investigations very well.

For those looking for a resident in the Philippines who has done them wrong, you can find a private investigator who can serve them their legal documents for process serving.

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 normal for private investigators to want to keep their identities secret, you need to know who 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 private investigator Philippines price isn’t low. Before hiring one, ensure you can afford it. It may seem costly initially (at least Php 10,000 or $200 on top of other expenses), but it’s worth it if it will buy you peace of mind. 

Also, it’s essential to ask about payment terms. Read your contract carefully to determine when to pay your private investigator. If the contract doesn’t clearly state the payment terms, ask if the private investigator requires a retainer fee. Spending some money upfront is pretty standard with most private investigators. 

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

While Philippines private detective services 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 secrecy, there can be situations where they are legally bound 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 backup 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 ensure that the person under investigation doesn’t find out 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

The questions above should help you make informed decisions on who to hire for your private detective needs in the Philippines.

Find answers to the questions 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 background checks on local Filipino employees and Filipinas who are into online dating.

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