Online private investigators use internet research techniques to provide research services to clients, including credit history, background checks, and other information. They can work from home or an office, and may operate through an internet site. They must be ethical and avoid illegal practices.
An online private investigator provides research services to clients using Internet research techniques. Often less expensive than regular private investigators, these professionals are adept at using the Internet to dig up information including credit history, background checks, and other information. An online private investigator can perform much of their work from home or the office, allowing for considerable flexibility in work and lifestyle.
Private investigators usually receive legal or law enforcement training. Some were originally police officers or detectives who have retired or prefer to focus specifically on investigation. Depending on the region, a POI may or may not need certification or a license to work. Some experts suggest checking local laws to see if certification is required, and many recommend avoiding hiring an unlicensed detective in an area that requires a license to prevent fraud or theft.
Although the traditional image of a private detective is a person in the trenches, carefully looking at clues with a magnifying glass, this is a romantic and outdated image. Much of the PI’s work is done online as most records and information are now stored electronically. An online PI specializes in this type of work; While he or she cannot provide live surveillance or follow suspects, clients are masters at hunting down electronic information and the digital paper trail a person leaves behind.
Some of the jobs an online PI can have include looking for missing persons, doing background checks, and searching court records. Much of this information is available online through vast databases, online records, and even simple searches. In a few hours, a qualified online private investigator may be able to search for information that would take another person weeks or months of research.
An online private investigator may operate a regular office, but many choose to find and accept jobs through an Internet site. For a flat fee, a client can request one of many services, such as a background check on a spouse or employer. An online private investigator can refund all or part of the fee if the information cannot be found. Depending on the service requested, the customer may receive copies of all discovered information, from previous addresses to marriage or prison records.
An online private investigator must be prepared to walk a very good ethical line in some cases. While finding publicly available information, such as court records, is certainly legal, other practices may not be. Hacking into someone’s encrypted email or bank account is illegal in most places, leading many private investigators to find ingenious ways around some privacy issues and laws.
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