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Our Private Investigator Services
As a licensed private investigator agency, we receive multiple questions about how our process works and the investigative business. If you are looking to become a private investigator in the state of New York, we recommend visiting the NYS Division of Licensing Services. If you do not see your question listed, please email us or (800) 806-4314.
Who hires a private investigator?
An assortment of clients contact us every day for investigations.
- In domestic investigations, clients hire a private investigator to conduct undercover investigations, cheating spouse/infidelity investigations, child custody, background checks on individuals, locate and missing persons, and all other domestic-related issues.
- In insurance investigations, a private investigator is hired to verify the facts of a claim, typically through video surveillance.
- Attorneys hire private investigators to work on behalf of their clients, typically in domestic, criminal, and civil investigations. This can include canvassing a location, preliminary surveillance, physical surveillance, and research needed.
- Both the public and private sector hire private investigators for an assortment of investigations.
- Businesses hire investigators for corporate investigations. This includes finding the wrongdoings of an individual at a company, internal theft, business background checks, workers’ comp claims, and more.
If you believe you need a private investigator, contact Root Investigations for a free consultation.
How much does a private investigator cost? What types of payments do you accept?
The cost of a private investigator is entirely dependent on the type of case you are looking to conduct. Root Investigations creates on an all-inclusive package for each client. Each case is tailored to what our client is looking to achieve. Before hiring, we offer a free consultation to discuss the options available. Unlike many private investigation firms, there are no hidden fees.
Root Investigations accepts cash, credit (MasterCard, Visa, American Express, Discover), PayPal, and Venmo.
Before charging our client, we provide a detailed contract along with our rates and packages expense breakdown, should the client be interested in canceling at a later date. In this event, a client will be refunded for any work which did not occur during the investigation. Our clients are never hit with hidden charges and the case begins once we’re retained.
What is the hiring process?
Root Investigations starts every investigation with a free consultation. During the free consultation, Root Investigations creates an investigative plan for your specific case. This may include preliminary surveillance, a case intake, and devising an actionable plan on how to conduct your investigation in the most efficient way. We are retained before beginning any investigation.
How are you different?
Root Investigations strives to provide the best results possible for our clients. We provide greater client accessibility at an affordable cost. We understand that time is of the essence in an investigation and begin to work on your investigation immediately. You will always have access to speak to our lead private investigator. Throughout the entire investigation process, our clients are kept up to date on any evidence gathered. We will also speak to your lawyer if necessary. Our staff includes experienced private investigators, prior law enforcement, retired CIA and FBI agents, and SIU. Our investigators stay up to date in the private investigation field and have a minimum of ten years of experience. We put our clients first and are committed to getting to the root of the problem.
How long does this take?
Root Investigations calls or emails you within the same business day. Each case has different factors, causing the time to investigate to take as little as one day to multiple months. It is entirely dependent on your situation and when you need surveillance or new research conducted.
What should I consider before hiring a private investigator?
Root Investigations calls or emails you within the same business day. Each case has different factors, causing the time to investigate to take as little as one day to multiple months. It is entirely dependent on your situation and when you need surveillance or new research conducted.
What are your hours?
We understand how vital it is to be client accessible during an investigation and are available 24 hours, 7 days a week.
what areas do you specialize in?
Our New York and Long Island private investigators specialize in the following cases: background checks, business and corporate cases, child custody, computer and internet investigations, fraud investigations, insurance fraud, infidelity/matrimonial, cheating spouses, surveillance, locate and missing persons, missing pets, surveillance, undercover, and vehicle tracking.
Can you use a GPS on my case?
Possibly. We recommend first contacting your attorney about utilizing a GPS. Currently, based on New York State law, it is illegal to utilize a GPS or any sort of vehicle tracking on a boyfriend or girlfriend (stalking/harassment charges). If you are registered or authorized, you can use a GPS tracker on your vehicle. Without authorization, legality issues arise. A private investigator can place a GPS on the following:
- A GPS tracker can be placed on a vehicle if you (the client) are the registered owner.
- If you are married and the vehicle is your marital property.
Does Root Investigations offer classes or training on how to become a private investigator?
No, we currently do not offer a school or class on how to become a private investigator. We focus on what we know best: solving investigations for our clients.
Do you guarantee your work?
As per New York State law, no private investigator is allowed to guarantee an investigation will provide the results a client desires. Root Investigations does guarantee to conduct the investigation, whether it be surveillance or research, keeping the client informed about any intel gathered throughout the investigation. We provide proof of all work conducted.
How soon can you work my case?
Once you become our client, we begin the investigation process immediately. This can include preliminary background investigations, preliminary surveillance, and analysis of the investigation in order to provide the best results possible.
Is my information confidential?
Yes. Root Investigations puts the client first and will always keep your information 100% confidential. We never allow information to be viewed by anyone except the client and will never accept a case if it is a conflict of interest to our current client. Per Article 7 of NYS General Business Law, a private investigator is unable to divulge any information without the consent of a client, and may only divulge information with the consent of a client or by court order. All information will otherwise remain confidential.
How do I receive my report?
During an investigation, Root Investigations provides phone or email updates during and after the actual investigation. We have a client portal in which video surveillance and reports are updated during your investigation. All information received during the investigation will be sent electronically or via postal mail (as per the client’s request). Some clients prefer verbal reports via telephone only. Clients are also able to pick up any investigation materials with a scheduled appointment.
General Private Investigation Questions
The following questions are often asked about the private investigation field in general. Visit NYS Division of Licensing for specific information on how to become a private investigator. If you have any additional questions, contact our New York private investigators at info@rootinvestigations.com. We are happy to answer any specific questions you have.
Are private investigators the police?
Private investigators are NOT law enforcement but instead, involved in the private sector. Private investigators are unable to pose as law enforcement officials or place an arrest. A private investigator is commonly referred to as a PI, private detective, gumshoe, sleuth, or private eye. Private investigators conduct investigations differently than the police and are retained in advance to conduct an investigation. A private investigator can be former law enforcement, FBI, CIA, a seasoned detective, or come from various backgrounds. At Root Investigations, we choose which investigator will conduct your investigation best and obtain the results you need based on our employees backgrounds.
Is hiring a private investigator legal?
Yes, it is legal to hire a private investigator. You cannot hire a private investigator if you have stalking, a restraining order, or harassment charges on the individual you are looking into investigating.
What type of training do private investigators need?
In the State of New York, private investigators must have at least 3 years of experience in the field or 20 years of experience in law enforcement. A private investigator conducting business in New York must be bonded. Although it is not a necessity, an investigation firm should have either personal or liability insurance. A private detective should specialize in the specific types of investigations they are conducting and have prior experience doing so.
What is a private investigator unable to do?
Like the public sector, there are numerous things a private investigator are unable to do. This includes illegally placing a GPS on an unauthorized vehicle, unlawful entry, illegal videotaping through the interior of a property, obtaining a credit report without written consent from the individual, cell records, hacking, or arresting an individual.
Can I record a conversation?
In New York State, a conversation can be recorded as long as one party on the telephone is aware the phone call is being recorded. When speaking to someone in a one-party state, Root Investigations does not record the telephone call, as this is illegal.
Can a private investigator obtain cell records, track cell phones, or retrieve text messages?
No. It is illegal to obtain cell records or retrieve text messages if the client is not the owner of the phone or the one paying the bill. This is illegal and we do not conduct investigations using this strategy. Instead, we utilize different methods of solving investigations to obtain the results you need. An ethical private detective in NY will not track your cell phone.
I think I am being followed. Why would a private investigator be looking for me?
There can be a variety of reasons a private investigator may have been hired to follow you. This can include a domestic investigation, a locate case, insurance fraud, or a variety of reasons.
Are private investigators worth it?
This depends on the case you are looking to conduct and the results you are looking to achieve. A private investigator is definitely worth hiring if you plan on going to court, as it can “make or break” certain case situations. If you are looking to locate a lost love or someone who owes you money and having little luck, a private investigator can help gain the intel you have not been able to find yourself. Root Investigations only takes cases in which we believe we can help our clients find the results they need.
We are a boutique private investigation agency serving New York City and Long Island with professional private investigation services.
We get to the root of the problem.
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