Office: 215-338-3303
Fax: 215-338-3032

fatguypi1@comcast.net

Note: Please be sure to put "INVESTIGATION" in the subject line of the email. Otherwise your email may be lost in our spam filter program

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Is your job exciting? At times the job can go from being extremely boring and depressing to super exciting and fun. However, for me, being able to provide the truth is the most exciting part of the day.

2. What kind of cases do you prefer to work on? Insurance fraud cases, Child Custody, Divorce, and Locate (which means being able to find anyone/anywhere nationwide).

3. Have you ever worked in high profile cases? Yes. But, under the gag rule and privacy issues, and a confidentiality rule - those details cannot be discussed.

4. Where's the farthest you ever traveled in one day following a subject? Philadelphia to Vermont.

5. Have you ever worn disguises to throw off detection during an investigation? Yes, an investigator needs to be anything and everything. Example: Some days, I could be the pizza delivery guy, a college student conducting surveys, a parton at a bar, a flower delivery person, Santa Claus, Traffic Consultant...As an investigator you can be anyone at any time....and you would never know it.

6. Have you ever been on the witness stand at a trial? Yes, often. I am considered an expert witness.

7. Have you ever used female decoys during your investigations? Yes, over the years I have used several different females as employees and subcontractors. Women play a pivitol role in this industry and quite frankly there is not enough of them in the field.

8. What type of equipment do you most frequently use? Pair of binoculars, video camera, and a specially equipted surveillance vehicle. The most important tools are street smarts and a talented brain that knows how to think outside the box.

9. Do you work a 9-5 shift? No. I work whatever hours are given to me and for any length of time. A case can go for a couple of hours or it could go for weeks and sometimes even months.

10. Is there a brotherhood with other investigators or is it a lonely business where everyone looks out for themselves? Well...sort of. Professional investigators typically belong to professional associations that are state and nationwide. Through that professional association, talented skills can be shared. Networking always opens up lines of communication. Those non-participating investigators usually wind up limited in their resources and tend to fail financially.

11. What are the most difficult situations that you found yourself having to deal with during an investigation? Coping with heat exhaustion and frigid cold temperatures during long hours of vehicle surveillance.

12. Is there satisfaction with your job?, and if YES, what has brought you the most? The ability to provide the truth to people who otherwise wouldn't have it. The personal involvement in locating loved ones, or, missing friends has been a very fulfilling part of my investigative services. Knowing that I just helped someone piece together a missing link or helped to create a reunion where families come together, brings a smile to my heart.

Questions Customers Should Ask

• How long have you been licensed?  (Note, typically the lower the license # the longer the private investigator has held the license).

• Have you ever worked this kind of investigation before?  (Ask for examples.  Listen to see if the investigator divulges anything confidential.  Is so, don’t work with a P.I. who reveals confidential information.)

• What kind of camera(s) do you use?  (Any private investigator who specializes in surveillance should be able to answer this question immediately.)  

• Will you provide me with direct access to the surveillance investigators working the case?  (Client contact with field investigators improves the free flow of information and can make the difference in a successful case.  Ask for the cell phone # of the surveillance investigator.)

• When does your billing began?  Am I charged for travel time to and from the surveillance location?  Do you charge for mileage?  (There should be no “surprises” when it comes to what you are being charged by the private investigator.)

• Does your private investigator perform “on site” court research or just use 3rd party databases when conducting background investigations?

• What is your hourly rate?  Do you have a 4 hour minimum when working surveillance assignments?

• Do I need to sign a contract or will you provide me with a “letter of engagement” outlining exactly what the private investigator agrees to do and at what hourly rate?  (The Private Investigator should offer you something in writing before beginning the assignment.)

• Will you provide me with a copy of your Private Investigator License and your Liability Insurance Certificate?  (At least ask to see a copy of the license and then verify it with the State Department of Consumer Affairs at the link below.)

• Do you guarantee results?  (A Private Investigator should never guarantee anything to a client that is not within his or her control.)