An online private investigator uses Internet search techniques to conduct research for clients. These professionals are skilled in using the Internet to dig up information, including credit histories, background checks, and other information, and are typically less expensive than regular private investigators. An online private investigator can work from home or from an office, giving them a lot of job and lifestyle flexibility.
The majority of private investigators have legal or law enforcement backgrounds. Some were previously law enforcement officers or detectives who have since retired or prefer to concentrate solely on investigations. A PI may or may not need certification or a license to work, depending on the region. Some experts advise checking local laws to see if certification is required, and others advise against hiring an unlicensed detective in an area where a license is required to avoid fraud or theft.
Although the traditional image of a private investigator is of a person dressed in a trench coat and examining clues with a magnifying glass, this is an outdated and romantic image. Because most records and information are now stored electronically, much of PI work is done online. While an online private investigator cannot provide live surveillance or follow suspects at the client’s request, they are experts at tracking down electronic data and the digital paper trail that a person leaves behind.
Missing persons investigations, background checks, and the retrieval of court records are just a few of the tasks that an online private investigator might undertake. Much of this information is accessible via vast databases, online records, and even simple searches on the internet. A skilled online private investigator may be able to locate information that would otherwise take weeks or months for another person to locate.
Although an online private investigator may have a physical office, many prefer to find and accept work through the Internet. A client can request a variety of services for a set fee, such as a background check on a spouse or employer. If the information cannot be found, an online private investigator may refund all or part of the fee. The client may receive copies of all discovered information, from prior addresses to marriage or arrest records, depending on the service requested.
In some cases, an online private investigator must be willing to walk a very fine ethical line. While it is certainly legal to obtain publicly available information such as court records, other practices may not be. In most places, breaking into a person’s encrypted email or bank account is illegal, so many private investigators devise ingenious ways to get around some privacy concerns and laws.