For some, hiring a PI is something they’ll only need to do once, while for others, they’re looking for a reliable PI that they can work with time and again. In both cases, knowing what to look for ensures you avoid hiring the wrong private investigator.

The wrong private investigator can have serious consequences, such as mishandling a sensitive case, compromising evidence, or violating privacy.

You need to make an informed choice about a PI for your own sake and to ensure you get the result, proof, or answer you’re looking for. 

Here’s what to look for when considering a private investigator…

• Professional Memberships: Look for memberships in reputable organisations like the Association of British Investigators (ABI), the World Association of Professional Investigators (WAPI) and the Institute of Professional Investigators (IPI). These organisations also provide training, showing your chosen PI’s continued professional development.

• A Registered Company: A registered company (look on Companies House) and VAT registered – not all PIs will be VAT registered, but one that is shows they’ve been diligent and have likely done enough business to meet the threshold to register for paying VAT (a good sign they are a good PI).

• Proper Insurance: Professional indemnity insurance is essential to protect clients in case of errors, breaches of duty or negligence. It’s a sure sign that your PI is willing to take responsibility for actions that are in their client’s best interests.

Visibility

Just as you would check online before working with any other business or professional, you should find out what kind of online presence your potential private investigators have. This can give you a clearer picture of what their priorities are, their services, case studies and how easy they are to get in touch with.

You should look for:

Social media presence – Check for regular updates to their profiles or pages on platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook and X with real information. That means they are not using AI or stock images and text. This shows credibility and reassures you that real people are working for you. 

Website – An up-to-date and modern-looking website is a good sign that your chosen private investigators are legitimate and care about the right customers finding them. Take a look at blog or news pages and check for recent blog or post updates, as this is an indicator that they are actively maintaining the site.

Experience and Specialisation

Your potential private investigator needs to know what they’re doing, with particular knowledge that could relate to your specific goal. So, how can you see if a PI has the experience you’re looking for? 

Consider these factors during your search:

Years of Experience: Experience is a huge contributor to your private investigator’s ability to adapt, find solutions, and approach cases with tried and trusted methods. A PI with years of experience is likely to have encountered a wide range of situations, allowing them to develop unique skills to handle cases effectively. 

Specialisation: Look for an agency with broad experience. If there are many different PIs within one company, that usually means you’re getting the best insights and skills. They will match you with a vetted PI who specialises in the type of investigation you need, whether that’s surveillance, fraud, corporate intelligence, or background checks.

Track Record: A PI’s track record says a lot about how they handle cases. It can indicate their competence and ability to deliver results. To find out a PI’s track record, check their cast studies and reviews, and if there are no reviews, this could be a sign to approach with caution!

Communication and Transparency

Having free and easy communication with your private investigator is an absolute must, particularly when they’re handling sensitive and important cases for you. A reliable PI will be honest about who they really are – there’s no room for cloak-and-dagger tactics in professional private investigation.

Here are some good signs that your PI is being open and honest:

• Clear Communication – Open and honest communication throughout the investigative process is vital; if communications with your PI start poorly, it could indicate how communication will continue in the investigation.

• Meeting in Person – Consider asking to meet in person before instructing your potential PI.  The reason for doing this is more than just getting to know them in person – if they don’t want to meet beforehand, this could be a red flag.

• Progress Reports –  A PI who provides regular progress reports and keeps clients informed is valuable. They’re not afraid to keep you in the loop and explain what’s happening next.

• Transparent Pricing – Upfront and transparent pricing with no hidden fees means no surprise charges. Having this clarity from the outset lets you know what you’re getting for your money. But beware of hiring based on price – cheap might be more expensive in the long run, if a lower price means less effective work!

Confidentiality and Ethical Practices

You need to know that your PI will adhere to strict data protection laws and safeguard private information. Confidentiality and ethics are negotiable at NPI, which is why we adhere to data protection laws. This gives you peace of mind that all data we handle (including yours) is handled carefully and protected.

It may be advisable to have confidentiality agreements such as a non disclosure agreement to protect sensitive information; if your PI doesn’t provide one, it might be better to look for an alternative. Confidentiality agreements are there to keep you or your company safe and secure, so there is little reason for a PI not to sign one. 

Finally, look for a PI who conducts themselves with professionalism and discretion at all times. We often deal with difficult, sensitive and high value cases, so an ethical PI will never cross legal boundaries and will always act professionally toward you and those they come in contact with in the course of their investigation.

Looking For A Private Investigator?

Choosing the right private investigator could be the difference between getting your answers or your case being compromised. Look for a qualified, experienced, and ethical private investigator whose past work can be reviewed. Take your time evaluating your options, and get in touch with NPI to speak to the professionals in uncovering the truth.