Dispelling the Myths


Professional Investigators do:

  • Adhere to a Professional Code of Ethics regarding treatment of their clients and members of the profession.
  • Charge reasonable fees for reasonable services.
  • Let client know ahead of time before accumulating expenses.
  • Report promptly to their client with new information.
  • Have a current and valid state Private Investigator’s license.
  • Are bonded and/or insured appropriately.

Professional Investigators DO NOT:

  • Undertake investigations without appropriate due diligence into their client’s motivations and need for information.
  • Reveal confidential client and/or case information unless legally ordered to do so.
  • Become involved in “conflict of interest” situation.
  • Condone or participate in the illegal use of telephone conversation recording equipment, provide or install illegal wire taps.
  • Knowingly break the law to accomplish their investigative objective.
  • Violate people’s right to privacy.
  • Trespass or break-and-enter to achieve investigative objectives.
  • Condone or participate in illegal child snatch back schemes.
  • Illegally obtain non-public information about others and/or access credit reports of others without a signed release or permissible purpose under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA).
  • Obtain personal account information of others from financial institutions under pretext.
  • Use illegal methods of covert electronic surveillance.
  • Obtain business or competitive intelligence by unfair or illegal means.
  • Engage in harassing or vengeful behavior and/or intimidate witnesses..
  • Fabricate, manipulate and/or alter evidence.
  • Lie under oath.
  • Impersonate themselves as law enforcement officers or as representatives from government agencies or incorporated business.
  • Represent themselves as having access to the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) non-public databases and/or represent themselves as having access to all inclusive national criminal records databases.
  • Access Department of Motor Vehicle records without permissible reasons and/or release DMV records to the members of the general public.
  • Locate children for non-custodial individuals.