Showing posts with label philippines detective. Show all posts
Showing posts with label philippines detective. Show all posts
July 15, 2014
PhilippinePI.com Receives Excellence Award for Top Investigator



























Each year, we take a look at the top private investigation companies operating in different regions, and we take a close look at the regions and countries where demand for investigations services is high. In this review, our investigators and independent analysts reviewed the private investigation companies operating in the Philippines.  The Philippines remains a country where demand for private investigators is unusually high, thanks to high rates of infidelity, fraud and marriage scams.

Investigation companies considered

To be considered for our ranking, our team took a look at all licensed and registered business either based in the Philippines or operating in the Philippines, with the following criteria:

1) Primary service offered must be private investigation for individuals and/or corporate clients
2) Company must be registered and legal entity, and not just a sole proprietorship
3) Company must have a professional website verified by major trust marks, such as Verisign, Truste, McAfee or the Better Business Bureau, and offer SSL secure contact forms
4) Company must have been in business and constant operation for at least 5 years.
5) Company must have an established reputation with international presence, and a track record of providing quality service in the Philippines for foreign clients in the U.S., Australia, Canada and the U.K.
6) Company must provide and require ongoing training of investigation professionals, and hired investigators must have experience in law enforcement and/or military
7) Company must not have any complaints on file with the Better Business Bureau, U.S. Embassy, Philippines Securities Exchange Commission or other government agencies
8) Company must have a contact us page with real contact information
9) Company must offer secure online payment methods with credit card option

The final investigator selection process

Once the above criteria requirements were applied, the list of so-called investigators in the Philippines became very short!  Truth be told there are very few professional investigation companies, and most are locals with an old camera trying to make a living.  Others are scammers who set up websites and demand payments be sent via Western Union!  While some locals who operate as individuals do the work, they simply lack the professional training, resources and contacts in law enforcement and government to get the job done - not to mention the proper equipment which can be expensive.

Sure, untrained labor in the Philippines can be cheap, but just the same as when shopping for a doctor, attorney or engineer in Manila, for example, you'll need to spend more to get the job done right.  This is important in investigations given the confidential nature of the business.

PhilippinePI.com wins top spot for excellence

Besides having a stellar reputation and excellent feedback from clients in the United States, Australia, the U.K. and Canada, Philippine PI received high marks from our colleagues at the U.S. Embassy, Philippines National Bureau of Investigation, Philippines National Police and NSO (National Statistics Office).  To prove the point, we called the U.S. and Australian Embassy in Manila and asked who they recommended as a trustworthy investigation company for background checks and due diligence.  Both embassy representatives advised the same, Philippine PI.  Below are a few things that sets the company apart in a saturated market of private investigators and background check firms.

1) Verified by Truste, McAfee and the U.S. Better Business Bureau (on home page)
2) Company is a subsidiary of a major international investigation company, with excellent reputation
3) Secure payment options are offered using a credit card on a secure website
4) Significant amount of information online confirming company's reputation
5) Company offers due diligence, surveillance, background checks and surveillance
6) Emails and phone calls to the company were promptly and professionally responded to
7) Investigators were found to be highly trained and have law enforcement experience
 
Useful tips when choosing a professional

No matter who you choose, or what type of investigation you need in any country, always make sure you check for references, and don't be afraid to ask for some if you can't find any.  If the investigator won't have a 5 minute phone conversation to discuss your case, keep looking!

S. Birch
© 2014 S. Birch



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January 25, 2009
Investigation Scams in the Philippines-PI

  • 1/25/2009
Finding a Professional, Avoiding the Amateurs













With demand for background checks, surveillance and private investigation on the rise in the Philippines, there has been a major increase in the number of providers. Many of these so-called investigators are locals trying to take cash in on the demand, and many clients end up having their money stolen, or receiving unacceptable and reliable work for their money.

The Local Joe vs. the Professional

Selecting a professional Philippines investigator with the proper tools, experience and management team can be a challenge. Fraud and corruption reaches all corners of the Philippines, including many of the operating private investigators. In many cases the local investigator provides unacceptable service, or even no service at all. Other local investigators honestly attempt to do the work, but are not qualified or properly trained.

Sorting through the Mess: A Checklist

1. If it's too cheap, there's probably a reason.
If an investigator claims to offer an exceptional service, at a very low price, it's a safe bet you will get what you pay for. Real, professional investigation can be expensive.

2. Beware of investigators that only accept Western Union.
A real company or professional investigator should have a website where you can submit various forms of payment, including a secure site where you can pay by credit card.

3. Avoid investigators who only accept PayPal.
PayPal is a secure payment option. However, be very skeptical if this is the only way to pay your investigator via a credit card. A real company will offer various forms of payment options, and allow you to submit your credit or debit card data directly via their secure website. A website that only offers PayPal for credit card payments is almost always a clear indication that you are dealing with an individual and not a real company.

4. Is the investigator available for a phone call?
Make sure your investigator is available over the phone. This will show you what kind of service you can expect throughout your case. Avoid any investigator who does not provide an office phone number on his email or website.

5. Use secure websites with privacy seals.
Private investigation can involve details of a very private nature. Look for a PI with a website with privacy seals such as Truste and/or McAfee security. These seals show that the company is serious about protecting your privacy.

6. Do surveillance photos have time-date stamps?
Surveillance photos during any professional investigation will have time-date stamps. This is industry standard and this type of evidence should be included in daily reports to clients.

7. Avoid websites with no business address or phone.
One of the best ways to distinguish the real investigation firm from the local or shady operation is to check the website's contact us page. A real company has a secure contact us page on their website (with a lock on your browser) with a business address. A real investigator will be happy to provide clients with a business phone where he or she can be reached. If any investigator fails to provide this information, look elsewhere.

8. Avoid investigators with no references.
Before paying for an investigator, search the web for references of the company. This way you can learn what others are saying about the investigator. If there isn't any feedback on the web, ask the investigator for a former client reference.

9. Avoid investigators who don't speak proper English.
English is commonly spoken in the Philippines. It is also necessary to conduct a proper investigation there. A PI who doesn't speak English fluently is unqualified.

10. Avoid websites that look unprofessional.
Inadequate budgets and training for development of the business, which can be perceived when viewing the company website, will likely be reflected in other areas as well, such as reports, surveillance and communication. Pay for quality.

11. Expect to pay a fair price.
Private investigation can be expensive. Instead of trying to save a few bucks by choosing a local or someone unknown, speak with a reputable firm about the best option for you. Choosing a cheap PI may mean money and time lost, so choose carefully.

12. Go with a foreign-based company.
Because of the fraud throughout the Philippines, we recommend using a company that is U.S or European managed or owned. This will ensure the company is ran according to stricter standards, and is accountable for safer business practices.

Keep the above checklist in mind when shopping for a private investigator in the Philippines or elsewhere. Philippine PI™, a U.S. based firm with operations throughout the Philippines, contributed to the information in this article.

All the Best,

S. Birch
© 2006-2009 S. Birch
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