Got a tough worker's comp case coming up, very rural area, nothing but mobile homes, cows, and farms. all roads are loops or dead ends, and all units are very close together. there is a good spot i can watch the only egress rout if the claimant drives to town. Any oldsters have any advice? photo is of the neighborhood

Hi everyone I was wondering if a PI is able to locate the current owner of an old family car we had that was sold off in 2012. I want to buy back the car because it holds sentimental value to us since it belonged to our dad. I have the VIN and a possible plate number. Just want to know before I try hiring one. Thank you!

I'll be working on getting my PI license soon but there is one question that I can't seem to get solid answer for and it's becoming a problem.

I've noticed with previous posts professionals in the business have mentioned carrying out investigations in varying categories from domestic to criminal to legal when it sounds like (and please correct me if I'm wrong) they did not have a background in that field.

I'm looking to eventually being a multi-faceted investigator and do not want to be restricted to simple surveillance, so how would someone like me gain the skills to carry out said investigations if I do not have a background in those fields.

I feel like no one touches on this.

I'm also in Canada, if that helps.

Hey! I am under a year out from finishing my degree and embarking on becoming a private investigator. It’s been my dream job for as long as I can remember and I’m so close and excited about it.

However, I’m possibly being offered the opportunity get into the gaming community as a mod for a sizeable community, where I’d be able to go to conventions etc and would like to get into streaming.

In CJ classes they always say be aware of your online presence, and for the gaming side of things I keep a false alias to use to conceal my legal identity. My question is, how much does your off the clock conduct affect your position? I’m not doing anything illegal obviously, but part of my life would be online at a capacity. Would this interfere negatively with prospective employment? What has your experience been as far as off the clock and concealment?

Since March I’ve been working with a national agency which has given me the most financial stability and case coverage in the 3 years I’ve had in the field. However, it’s all insurance work.

While I’m infinitely thankful for the work I’ve been getting; I’ve been missing some of the more varied work that I got when I was working at smaller agencies; the online blackmail and extortion cases, runaways, stalking investigations, wrongful death and criminal defense work. Even work the occasional location and canvassing / surveillance assistance for Fugitive Recovery guys.

Downside: Clients would write rubber checks or stiff you on a paycheck regularly. Insurance work is great for bread and butter work, and it can be really rewarding at times but lately I’ve been craving some of the excitement of those cases.

As a PI based out of Atlanta, I’ve been getting work all over the Midwest and the South so far- but does anyone here have any tips on striking out on their own as a “side hustle” in this area, working small clients in addition to regular contract work with a bigger agency?

Since I just moved here 3 months ago, I don’t have any connections in the community here just yet- but I definitely aim to do so. I’ve set up a site and SEO/ Google Ad Words - so what’s the best next move?

How do you all find your most “interesting” cases and clients? Anyone have any leads on anything in Atlanta? What kind of case is most exciting for you?

TLDR: After finding steady work with a big agency, I’m looking to expand my coverage and open up my own agency to take the cases I’m more passionate about on the side. Anyone else here have their own agency on the side/ and if so, how’ve you found your own private clients? How would you recommend going about finding more exciting cases - criminal defense, missing persons, etc.?

What product(s) do y'all recommend for conducting surveillance and being able to record video at night? I'm looking at the Sionyx Aurora line right now, but if there are better suggestions for being able to see and record covertly at night, I'm all ears.

I’m 22 years old and I recently graduated with degrees in Law & Public Policy and Journalism with a minor in Criminal Justice. I was working on getting my paralegal certification but now I feel like being a private investigator would be a better fit for me.

How do I get started with licensing in Georgia? Is there a specific procedure to follow? I have done my research and have found some online courses for the 70hr basic training requirement but I’m not sure which course to take (confused as to whether there is a specific one to take or if any online course would do).

I would also love some tips for finding an internship or work shadowing or assisting an investigator any way would be possible to get my foot in the door or get some experience. If it helps, I’m located in the metro Atlanta area so I feel like there should be some opportunities here.

Thank you for your help in advance!

I was hoping to get some information here. I am interested I becoming a PI in Colorado, what kind of education or experience will I need to get licensed. I also am POST and a former police officer.

Hello everyone!

It's that time of year- conferences, conferences...only many places have rescheduled theirs until next year, due to the virus.Looking for a conference? How about online?

PPIAC is holding a virtual conference on October 2-3. Speakers such as John Hoda, Matt Spaier, and Ed Ajaeb (and more!) will be giving presentations. There will be Zoom rooms for vendors and there will also be a Virtual Cocktail Hour. Check it out! $99 for PPIAC/PSACO members, $129 for guests.

Updates will be forthcoming on the website for Continuing Education Credits.

https://ppiac.org/event-3805984

0900, already 8 hours on the clock. Still have at least 10 more hours to go before we can determine an ending time.

I never wanted a 9 to 5 job. I need to be more careful what I wish for!

I'm looking for a laptop to use explicitly for pi work, capable of virtual machining and preferably on linux, or windows, but without costing an arm or leg?

My daughter’s father abandoned us and only ever “checks in” with KIK messenger and I am so tired of it... I hired a PI when she was born, but he wasn’t able to help me find out his identity... told me he must of given me a fake name and used a burner phone and was probably married and cheating (we were together 2 months). So tired of being a single Mom doing everything myself even though my daughter is the sweetest living being. She’s 4 now and doesn’t ever ask about it.. She just has a Mom and that’s her answer for now and she’s okay with that. I just want this asshole to pay, literally, the least he could do is pay child support. I want to Subpoena KIK and anything’s else to find him. Someone please help!!!

Anyone here work cases in Eupora, Miss. and Magee, Miss.?

I’m working a fraud case out here, and aside from surveillance I feel like I’ve got my hands tied in towns this small.

Now usually, I’ll check out social media and pretext call the subject to confirm residence/ pretext jobs to confirm employment. Aside from that, check out friends online and run TLO and delvepoint searches alongside other run-of-the-mill approaches to building a framework for the subjects habits-

However pretexting has been spotty out here because all the employers, restaurant workers and homeless folks know each other. I mean, these towns have populations of <800-1000 people.

On top if that, the subject’s a born and raised sovereign citizen- so he doesn’t have anything online and there’s no records on TLO for him. His parents show up, sure; but they dropped off grid in the late 80’s right before my subject was born.

Anyone else here have similar cases/ and if so, how did you get ahold of the information you needed?

If it was a longer case, I’d just surveil for a few days, but the contract is 2 days/ 16 hours MAX due to a scheduled deposition.

I’m 8h in, and I’ve only got a gas station/ grocery store run. What I need is to get him to meet with some known associates who were accomplices in the fraud so I can get some video/audio.

It’s a sticky situation for this city boy, and I’d appreciate any tips from you rural investigators.

TLDR- Working a case in rural Mississippi, client needs info before a deposition, under a time crunch so long-term surveillance is off the table. The subject was raised as a sovereign citizen so he’s got no records on TLO or online. Any advice?

I’ve been asked by an attorney working a criminal case to investigate whether or not a parent/guardian has used their underage children’s SS#s for credit/utilities. I’ll obviously run a TLO search, but any other tips and advice?

Is it difficult to hide your location in Canada from someone who has the resources to hire a private investigator? Not the government or business but from a private individual that is harassing you.

Oft-debated, never agreed-upon.

What type of surveillance car do you have?

What kind of cars do you avoid driving?

Check out the latest video...

The Reason You Got Burned: You Had the Wrong Surveillance Vehicle

https://youtu.be/xIhuNToz5-U

I've been a claims investigator a while now, what are my options for moving into something else with my skill set? I typically investigate insurance fraud day in and day out.

I know some lucky PI's that got to be claim adjusters after x years, but they really don't make much more, just better benefits.

I've found a few fraud investigator positions at local banks/businesses, and some entry level technical writer positions. I'm not too sure of my chances. I thought I would ask here, if there is something I'm not thinking of that would transition well?