| Sifting through the InvestigatorsThe Philippines has | | | | also quickly show you what kind of service you |
| seen a strong demand for background checks, | | | | can expect, since good customer service means |
| surveillance and investigation. With more and more | | | | being available for a phone call. |
| people dating online worldwide, and the high | | | | 6. Avoid websites that look unprofessional.If the |
| percentage of Filipinas looking to meet someone | | | | investigation company's website looks |
| foreign, the demand is expected to continue rising. | | | | unprofessional, chances are, the services are also |
| In addition to personal cases, business activity and | | | | unprofessional. Insufficient budgets and training for |
| foreign investment in the Philippines is rising as the | | | | development of the business, which can be |
| country continues to develop and gain access to | | | | detected when viewing the website, will likely be |
| global and capital markets. | | | | reflected in other areas as well, such as reports, |
| | | | surveillance equipment, vehicles, etc. Expect to |
| The Good, the Bad and the Ugly | | | | pay more for quality service. |
| The question for many companies and individuals | | | | 7. Look for privacy seals and secure |
| with relations and or investment in the Philippines | | | | websites.Since private investigation can involve |
| is, how can I select a prudent and professional | | | | sensitive information and details of a very private |
| private investigator? How can I determine who is | | | | nature, look for an investigator with a website |
| the real investigation company, and who is the | | | | that displays privacy seals such as Truste. In |
| local with limited or even no professional | | | | additon, to be sure your information is |
| experience? | | | | safeguarded with adequate technology, check for |
| To answer that question, we have reprinted the | | | | additional seals such as McAfee security seals |
| below information with permission from Philippine | | | | which ensure the website and your data is safe |
| PI, one of the most reputable and largest | | | | and secure. |
| Philippines private investigators operating in the | | | | 8. Expect to pay a fair price.Professional private |
| Philippines. The Company's advisory (below) is | | | | investigation can be expensive. Rather than trying |
| excellent advice for those considering a private | | | | to save a few dollars by choosing an unknown or |
| investigation anywhere in the Philippines. | | | | unqualified firm, try to work with a reputable |
| Investigator Advisory for the | | | | company about the best option for you, and if an |
| PhilippinesWidespread fraud and corruption reaches | | | | investigation will likely provide you with the |
| all levels of Philippine society, including private | | | | evidence you need. Too often choosing a cheap |
| investigators. There are many cases where clients | | | | investigator means money down the drain, so |
| seek investigation services or consultation from a | | | | choose carefully. |
| so-called "professional" or "private investigator" in | | | | 9. Ask if surveillance photos have time-date |
| the Philippines, only to be scammed by the | | | | stamps.Surveillance photographs during any |
| investigator. It is not uncommon for the local or | | | | professional investigation should have time-date |
| amateur investigator to take the client's money, | | | | stamps on them. This is industry standard and this |
| and in return provide unacceptable service, or | | | | type of photographic evidence should be included |
| even no service at all. With the high level of | | | | in daily reports to clients. If for any reason the |
| unemployment and poverty in the Philippines, | | | | investigator does not offer this service, you know |
| many locals have tried to take advantage of | | | | this is not a professional, but rather a local or |
| foreigners seeking investigation services. Other | | | | amateur lacking the proper experience and |
| locals sincerely attempt to do the investigative | | | | equipment. |
| work, but simply are not qualified or properly | | | | 10. Choose a U.S., Canada or European managed |
| trained to conduct the case. | | | | company.Due to the high level of fraud and |
| What you should know: | | | | corruption throughout Philippine society, try to find |
| 1. If it's too cheap, it's probably too good to be | | | | and use an investigation company that is managed |
| true.If an investigator claims to offer a | | | | or owned by a U.S., Canadian or European |
| remarkable service, at a very low price, it's safe | | | | company. This will ensure the company is |
| to assume you will get what you pay for. Real, | | | | managed according to stricter standards, and is |
| professional and private investigation can be | | | | held accountable for safer business practices and |
| expensive. | | | | ethics of the United States, Canada or Western |
| 2. Buyer beware of investigators that only accept | | | | Europe. |
| Western Union.A reputable company or private | | | | 11. Never use a "company" with no business |
| investigator should have a website where the | | | | address or phone number.Perhaps the easiest |
| investigator accepts various forms of payment, | | | | way to distinguish the real investigation firm from |
| including a secure site where you can pay by | | | | the local individual or shady operation is to check |
| credit card. | | | | their contact us page. A real investigation |
| 3. Stear clear of investigators with no | | | | company has a secure contact us page on their |
| references.Prior to paying for an investigator, | | | | website, with a business address. In addition, a |
| search the internet for references of the | | | | legitimate investigator will be happy to provide |
| investigator or company. Chances are you can | | | | clients with a business telephone number where |
| learn what others are saying about the company. | | | | he or she can be reached. If any given |
| If you can't find enough information on the | | | | investigator refuses to provide this information, it |
| internet, you might ask the investigator or | | | | would be very wise to look elsewhere. |
| company for a reference. | | | | 12. Buyer beware of any investigators who only |
| 4. Be weary of any investigator who doesn't | | | | accept PayPal.While PayPal is a legitimate and |
| speak English.English is commonly spoken by the | | | | secure payment option, a red flag should be |
| educated population in the Philippines. It is also | | | | raised if this is the only way to pay your |
| necessary to conduct a proper investigation in the | | | | investigator via a credit card. A professional |
| Philippines, since most people speak English in | | | | investigation firm should offer various forms of |
| addition to their native language. An investigator | | | | payment options, from wire transfer, PayPal, to |
| who doesn't speak English fluently is unqualified. | | | | submitting your credit or debit card data directly |
| 5. Choose an investigator who is available to | | | | via their secure website. A website that only |
| discuss your case over the phone.It can be hard | | | | offers PayPal for credit card payments is almost |
| to tell who you're dealing with over the internet, | | | | always a clear indication that you are dealing with |
| so check to see if your investigator is available | | | | an individual and not a real company. |
| over the phone. Often a brief phone conversation | | | | Best of luck, |
| will allow you to ask important questions and | | | | A. Hathaway |
| determine if the investigator is right for you. It will | | | | © 2006-2009 A. |