When most people think of private detective firms, they most likely picture famous private investigator firms, such as the Pinkerton National Detective Agency, founded in 1850 by Allan Pinkerton. One of the first private detective companies in the United States, the Pinkerton Detective Agency became one of the most famous private investigation services of all time. They are famous for hiring Kate Warne, considered to be the first female detective in the U.S. However, Kate Warne and her fellow Pinkerton employees from the company’s most famous period are long gone; what do people picture when they think of modern private detectives? While private investigative services may seem like a relic of a bygone era, there are a number of private detective services still available for hire in the United States. Could a private detective firm help you?
Today, private detectives now usually work for attorneys in civil cases, although they still assist individuals and also work for federal and local governments. One of the most common crimes they investigate is insurance fraud, which occurs when a person or group fraudulently obtains some benefit or advantage to which they are not entitled. Crimes of this nature are always financially motivated and typically take the forms of inflation or exaggeration of loss. Private detective firms will use their investigative skills to discover whether or not the claimant is truly entitled to the benefits they have requested.
One of the most popular tasks performed by private investigators, in insurance fraud cases and others, is surveillance: the secretive, continuous, or periodic observation of a person, group, or groups for the purpose of obtaining information concerning their activities. While this may seem fairly simple, following a target without losing them or being noticed is actually quite difficult. For this reason, if you are considering conducting surveillance, it is best to hire a professional to avoid problems and liability. Contact a private detective firm near you to discuss their services and how they can be used to help you today.