What Could a Private Investigator do for You?

To many of us, private investigators are the stuff of movies and books. Although we know that there are a lot of private investigators out there, many of us have no real indication of what they do or how they might be able to help.

The truth is that private investigators can do a lot of things that could benefit everyone from individuals and families to small businesses and major corporations.

10 Things a Private Investigator Can do for You

#1. Infidelity Investigations

Has your spouse been hiding their cell phone or being secretive about their computer? Have they been making every excuse to get out of the house as much as possible? Has there been a marked decline in intimacy in your marriage?

While these signs don’t necessarily mean your spouse is having an affair, they are a few definite red flags. If you have a sinking feeling that your spouse is involved with someone else, but don’t have the proof to confront them, a private investigator can help you uncover the truth.

#2. Background Checks

Are you hiring a nanny to look after your children while you’re at work? Or, maybe you’re a business owner in the process of hiring someone to fill a sensitive or high-ranking position. Either way, getting a thorough background check will help you get the peace of mind you need.

Most private investigators will look into an individual’s criminal history, history of residences, credit history, employment history, and social connections to help you gain a full understanding of who they are.

#3. Divorce Investigations

In a perfect world, divorce would be simple. No one would try to get more than their fair share, and everyone would be amicable. However, that’s not the world we live in, and the truth is that divorce is often messy.

If you’re in the midst of a messy divorce, having a private investigator on your side is smart. From helping to uncover hidden assets to public record digs and surveillance, most private investigators can help you get your fair share.

#4. Adoption Investigations

For some adopted children, finding their birth parents helps them identify their own life stories and answers the questions they’ve had for their whole lives. But, unfortunately, finding your birth parents isn’t always easy. That’s where a private investigator comes in.

Adoption investigations are some of the most personal, emotional cases private investigators take on, so if you’re considering one, make sure that you take the time to find one you trust and will be sensitive to your needs.

#5. Child Custody Investigations

Are you in the midst of or getting ready to take part in a child custody battle? Are you concerned that the lives of the children at stake are at risk if your child custody battle doesn’t go your way? If so, it’s time to consider hiring a private investigator.

Through social media, interviews, and surveillance, a private investigator can help to gather evidence to support your case.

#6. Elder Abuse Investigations

Whether an elderly person you love is living on their own or in a senior living community, it’s important to know the risks of elder abuse and to be able to recognize the signs. Five million Americans are victims of elder abuse each year, and the consequences for the victim can be disastrous.

If you suspect that someone is abusing someone you love, but don’t feel comfortable contacting the authorities without more solid proof, a private investigator can help.

#7. Skip Tracing

Do you want to serve your spouse with divorce papers but are having trouble locating them? Do you need help locating a witness that might be key to a lawsuit? Do you need to find someone who has information you need? If you need help finding someone, it’s time to turn to find a private investigator that offers skip tracing.

Skip tracing is basically just locating someone’s whereabouts, and, luckily, it’s something most private investigators offer.

#8. Surveillance

Surveillance can be useful in many different types of cases, from divorce investigations to infidelity investigations. But, it’s not something that people can typically do on their own, because it often requires skill and experience.

If you need professional surveillance for any reason, I highly recommend working with a good private investigator near you.

#9. Risk Assessment

Have you or your business recently been threatened? Are you thinking about making a big decision, but unsure about whether or not it’s worth the risks?

Evaluating threats and risks is one of the biggest reasons to turn to a private investigator. A private investigator can help you determine which risks to take on and which threats to take seriously, giving your peace of mind.

#10. Corporate Investigations

Are you thinking of merging your business, taking on a new business partner, or making another big move with your business? If so, a corporate investigation may be the thing you need to help you determine which decisions are right for you.

In addition to doing background research into potential partners and helping you assess the risks of major business decisions, a private investigator can help to look into internal and external threats to your business. These include investigations into employee theft, fraud or embezzlement, and more.


These are just a few of the many cases that a private investigator could help you through. But, whether you’re working with a private investigator to find the truth about your spouse’s infidelity, fight for custody of your children, or locate your birth parent, it’s imperative that you find a private investigator you feel comfortable with. That’s where Top Rated Local® comes in.

We’re your go-to local business directory because we make it easy to find local businesses you can trust. With Top Rated Local, you can read private investigator reviews from across dozens of verified sites and quickly compare private investigators based on their online reputation as a whole.

Find a private investigator near you today.