Find My Family - Lipstick Investigations

Find My Family is a common term used by private investigators when we are looking for lost family members such as birth parents, misplaced siblings, half-brother and half-sisters, ex-flames and anyone else that you have lost contact with from the past.

With 20 years of experience Lipstick Investigations specialises in all things relationships – including locating missing family or friends. Locating long lost family is actually a very satisfying part of the private investigations industry compared to many of the other types of assignments we find ourselves doing. Reuniting family is a highly rewarding exercise and we love to help.

Most private investigations involving locating family members are carried out in the office via online searches – this keeps the cost down. Of course there are investigation cases which require field calls, surveillance, and other out-of-office scenarios which can take the cost a bit higher, but nothing is done without informing the client of progress and expected charges.

Recently we have had success in locating adult siblings that were not even known of about a year ago; numerous birth parents – both mothers and fathers; children that were given up for adoption; natural mothers who made the difficult decision to give up their child; and even located the father of children after one-off physical relationships.

You may have tried to ‘find my family’ yourself and come up with a dead-end. Investigators have many more resources than just the internet, Facebook and White Pages so if you have exhausted all avenues in search of missing family then please contact us for a free appraisal of your situation. After we receive some basic details from you relating to the amount and type of information our Managing Director, David, will be able to assess the detail and then advise the direction of investigation and an idea of charges. He will be able to give you a true and honest assessment of the situation and then you can think about your next step. You might find that the cost of a ‘find my family’ is not as high as you think!

Of course Lipstick Investigations also does other investigations relating to relationships including family law investigations, infidelity investigations and online dating relationship investigations.

If you would like to make an inquiry just got to our Contacts Page and fill out the form, call us direct on 1300LIPSTICK, or email David directly at david@lipstickinvestigations.com.audavid@lipstickinvestigations.com.au  He will only be too happy to answer your questions.

Australian Private Investigators and Privacy

Privateinvestigators perform a whole range of assignments on behalf of their clients and, as with any other citizen in Australia, must do so within the boundaries of the law. The assignments range from investigating insurance fraud and tracing debtors, to finding missing relatives and helping people with family disputes. Very often these investigations will require the client to obtain information such as records of conversations, addresses, and other personal details but there are strict guidelines on how a private detective can go about doing this.

General Information Protection

Australia has strict laws to protect personal information. The Privacy Act controls the revelation of personal information, unless specific exclusions apply. An organisation or a company cannot release personal information to a private investigator without a valid reason. The Act does specify a number of occasions when these exemptions apply, but even then the organisation can make a judgement on whether it feels the release of the information is appropriate for the situation. The end result is that an investigator has no right to demand information without a court order – it is up to the provider pf the information to make the assessment at that time.

There are times, however, when it is considered appropriate to release information. These would be occasions when disclosure falls within what are known as good information handling ideologies. The ideologies allow for the information to be given out if it is lawful and far, and not incompatible with the reasons that the information was collected for originally. e.g. if someone had been left money in a will, but their last known address was in Sydney and they had relocated, it would be considered reasonable for an employer to pass on their new address details as it is undoubtedly in the interests of that person for them to do so.

The directorial principle is that the individuals should be informed if it is being considered to release their information. The only time this principle could be ignored is if to do so might prejudice an investigation into something like insurance fraud. In these cases it is likely that legal endorsement has already been given due to the criminal nature of the investigation.

So the disclosure of information to private investigators without the knowledge of the person concerned is unlikely to occur unless there are very specific reasons that the law allows for. This does not stop certain private detectives from trying their luck and asking for the information when they are well aware that it should not be forthcoming in an attempt to make their own jobs easier, but the people providing the information should be aware that both they and the investigator may be breaking the privacy laws. The basic consideration is that in the absence of a court order, it is wise to seek advice before releasing any personal information. Lipstick Investigations will always work within the law, and make sure any information we gather is from legal sources – it is no good to a client if it has been obtained illegally.

If you have any questions about information access, email us at any time at enquiries@lipstickinvestigations.com.au and we can discuss your requirements free of charge.

Private Investigators and Missing Persons

Private Investigators and missing persons go hand in hand together. Yes, Lipstick Investigations is Australia’s foremost relationships investigation firm, but we also carry out other forms of investigation such as background checks, business based inquiries, and missing persons.

Missing persons can be explained in three main groups:

                Misplaced Persons

Misplaced persons aren’t really missing, just misplaced. This is one of the most common forms of missing persons jobs we do, and generally relates to people you have just lost track of. They aren’t really missing as such – it’s just that you don’t know where or how to contact them. Perhaps you are looking for a long-lost family member, an old flame you would like to check in with, an old friend from school or work, or even an adoption issue.  Of course nowadays social media like Facebook and even basic Google searches can help with this, but when you get stuck (and many people do) you can call a licensed private investigator to help. Investigators have the expertise and knowledge to track these individuals down and reunite you them.

                People Who Don’t Want to be Found

This is also an extremely common reason for using a private detective. More often than not a person will not want to be found if they owe money, performing a criminal act or have criminal tendencies, are avoiding service of legal process, or just wish to remain low-key (celebrities and people in the news). These people are still missing persons and can be located on most occasions. All we need is the know-how, some tenacity and the financial capacity to look into the missing person.

                The True Missing Person

The true missing person is when a person just disappears. It may be the fact that they wanted to run away from their problems and have just extracted themselves from the situation, or suffer some sort of mental disorder or a bout of dementia. Perhaps they just need some time out and gather their thoughts – but the family still worry obviously. And the worst case investigators and clients alike – the missing person is a victim of foul play – kidnapping or murder.

Private detectives use a number of methods to investigate a missing persons case. The most common methods are all done within the office. We have a number of databases that we have access to that the public don’t; plus the training and experience to use social media and Google to our advantage as well. Our other main tool is the telephone – it is amazing what you can learn by talking to people!

Of course some missing persons cases require us to get out into the real world and make field inquiries. Perhaps it is talking to people, or showing a photograph that will gather our next clue. A missing persons case may also require surveillance, particularly if we don’t want to tip off the person that we are making inquiries.

If you have a missing persons case that needs a discussion, please feel free to call us on 1300LIPSTICK or drop us a line by email at enquiries@lipstickinvestigations.com.au   An investigator will only be too happy to have a free chat with you about the issue. This obligation free talk will include pricing, methods and timeframe. 

Have you lost valuable info from a mobile phone?

Have you lost valuable info from a mobile telephone or tablet? Smartphones and tablets are incredible pieces of technology. They can do so much nowadays – I can even run the entire private investigation business from my extremely convenient smartphone. Phone calls, text messages, emails, photographs, chat sessions, Facebook, Twitter – all these platforms there at your fingertips. Have you wondered where that information goes after you delete it? Do you even delete it??

Data recovery is even more fantastic than being able to have all this information at our beck and call. Today we have access to some great telephone forensics which allows the forensic technician to explore the device and gather current and deleted information. That’s right, even deleted information can be available from a mobile phone. Would your spouse’s phone hold the secrets he has been keeping from you? Would you’re girlfriend’s iPad hold those chat sessions with a suspected lover? What if you needed to retrieve text messages from your phone for use in court litigation and the detail was deleted months ago?

In almost all cases our forensic telephone technician can retrieve of all of this valuable information. The forensic tech only requires the device or handset for a few hours, just long enough to download the data held on the device (sometimes it is even quicker). He will then head back to the lab and correlate the information. The more information collected, the longer it will take to put back together. This can take some time to turn all of the 0’s and 1’s back into readable information, and this is where to bulk of the cost comes into the picture. The total download service and report preparation does cost upwards of $2500 but it may be a precious source of information for you to make decisions concerning the rest of your life.

Not all licensed private investigators can provide this sort of service – it is very specialised indeed, and there are few true experts. Our technician is the easily the best in the business and you can be sure that anything that can be done to salvage your lost information will be.

However, nothing is better than visual surveillance when gathering proof for any matter, but mobile phone data recovery is another possible avenue in the never-ending grab for information. For any of your private detective needs – call us - we are here to assist.

Should you need to contact us here at Lipstick Investigations in Sydney, Brisbane or on the Gold Coast, please call us at any time on 1300LIPSTICK. Alternatively your email will be responded to quickly at enquiries@lipstickinvestigations.com.au

Hiring a private investigator in Sydney or the Gold Coast

Hiring a private investigator in Sydney or the Gold Coast? Private investigators sometimes get a bad rap in the movies but in real life, they can help you with a number of investigative issues from locating missing persons to making discreet inquiries about potential significant others. In Australia many investigations are solved by using surveillance techniques. As licensed professionals we often investigate a number of issues that the police normally do not undertake. There are several reasons why you should not carry out private detective matters on your own.

Do You Know the Law?

Do you know what you can and cannot do legally when it comes to do an investigation by yourself? Unless you know your Australian law (and even that varies from state to state), a trained expert should be employed to conduct the investigation for you. Licensed private investigators will know and understand the law as well as the best legal way to collect evidence that will assist in a court of law should the circumstances call for it. Because you will not know or understand the many points of the law, you could potentially gather information or evidence illegally or unintentionally contaminate it – negating it’s use, and landing yourself in legal distress.

Training and Experience

The average person will not have the experience necessary to carry out an investigation. Hiring a professional makes sense because private detectives are more likely to identify reality when questioning people, as well as know when they are following false leads. They can handle themselves in a variety of situations and have the general experience to take an investigation from beginning to end. Investigators in Australia need to be licensed in their respective states and all those holding a licence will have training qualifications under the national training framework guidelines

Skills and Technology

Investigative work is a special ability that takes a lot of study, training and perseverance. They understand the legalities of tracking and listening devices, how to conduct surveillance properly whether it is following a vehicle or positioning themselves at a certain location without being observed.

Technology is a large part of investigations these days so an investigator will know which internet resources to look at, what databases to search through and even trace emails. Private investigators have access and know how to use a variety of surveillance equipment that can help their cases as well. Remember that Australian privacy laws are very strict and surveillance is one of the few avenues we have of gaining results.

Other reasons why you should not conduct an investigation on your own include the possible danger. You do not have the experience to stay safe or identify hazardous situations. Plus, investigations can take time and sometimes it is tedious work. Can you take the time out and devote yourself to your case? Chances are you have to work, go to school or raise a family, leaving very little time for the investigation. Take the safe and smartest route and look to professional private investigators to get the results for you.

Lipstick Investigations have been in business for 15 years and have offices in Sydney and on the Gold Coast, also covering Brisbane. We also have trusted agencies right around the Australia. Phone us on 1300LIPSTICK or 0411 853 111,  or email your inquiry to enquiries@lipstickinvestigations.com.au

Infidelity and the Sydney Investigator

Relationships are getting increasingly complicated and involved. The number of infidelity and adultery cases is increasing and using a private investigator in Sydney is the safest way to gather evidence. We tend to suspect our spouses even with small changes in behaviour such as extra care with their appearance or when they start coming home late – or the big one nowadays – being protective of their mobile phone. This is a delicate issue, yet serious complications are involved here. There may or may not be an affair. Regardless of your suspicion being true or false, clashes are bound to exist if you do not confront your spouse with proper evidence. Again and again we know clients who have accused their partner of infidelity, only to be told they are crazy. If they had the proof first, then they would have the upper hand in settlement negotiations.

However confused and troubled you are by your spouse's suspected affair, it is important that you have patience and handle the problem in a proper way. First, you need to be sure that your suspicion is true. Although there are many "Catch a cheater" and "surveillance technology" devices available online, they can be illegal and you don't want to land into trouble by using them. Australian privacy laws are among the strictest in the world. There are chances that the device gives you wrong results which can cause serious trouble in your relationship. Instead, you can hire a licensed Sydney private investigator who will understand the specific details of your case and plan an investigation accordingly. When emotions and lives of two people are involved, its best to use a human to investigate the affair instead of using machines.

Our private investigators are experienced in handling many cases like yours and can professionally guide you in finding out whether your spouse is cheating on you or not. Once this is done, you also get the required evidence you need to confront your spouse about the adultery. The private detective may also advise you in confronting your spouse and on possible actions you could take in order to move ahead in your life.

In an emotionally draining phase such as having a cheating spouse, the investigator can be a pillar of support guiding you in taking the right steps in dealing with the matter.

LipstickInvestigations is Australia’s foremost agency in relationship and family law matters. If you have any questions, just call us on 1300 LIPSTICK or email us at enquiries@lipstickinvestigations.com.au

How to choose the best private investigator for you

How do you choose the best private investigator for your matter? A number of private investigators conduct professional investigations all across the state. It could be a matter of catching your cheating spouse (the specialty of Lipstick Investigations), finding your long lost friend or gathering evidence for the sake of your child custody. Whatever may be the case, only some of the agencies are proficient enough to deal with your investigation. If the agencies follow the federal, state and the local laws, you can be sure of the fact that the private investigator you have chosen is at least trained and licensed.

However the decision of hiring a private investigator absolutely depends on you. Don’t fall for a smooth talker promising you the world – a licensed private investigator can’t deliver the world. We can only do what the law allows us - think about it for a moment before making your decision.

Determine the type of your investigation:

You have to first decide about the type of investigation you are looking for. People appoint private investigators for varied reasons. You may need them for investigating into the historical past of someone, finding a lost person or helping you with a divorce. Different investigators have proficiency in different areas of investigation. In Australia, investigation itself is a relatively small field and most licensed investigators take on everything – although some tend to lean just towards surveillance, or skip tracing. Work out your requirements then decide.

Inquire about the license of an investigator:

You should also inquire about the license of an investigator. A good number of people perform the job of private investigation without a license. However it's always better to trust somebody who is having a proper license. In order to get the license, an investigator has to pass certain tests as well as background checks, and depending on the Australian state is monitored by the police or state government. Moreover with a license it becomes easier to inspect an investigation agency about its business for checking out whether it has any complaint or not. Do something as simple as Google the business – any bad press should surface quickly.

Make a written agreement:

It will always be a wise decision to make a written agreement. You should make a written agreement before hiring a private detective. This will help you to prevent any form of misunderstanding in future. Furthermore it will help to protect you legally. Some agencies have thick legal contracts, more for their protection than yours. But do get something in writing – an email will suffice – or even something as simple as an SMS – just so you know what page you are both on.

These are just a few simple considerations you can follow while hiring your private detective. Search for the best by weighing up these considerations and give your investigation the best chance of success. 

If you have any questions at all just call us on 1300LIPSTICK or send an email to enquiries@lipstickinvestigations.com.auwww.lipstickinvestigations.com.au

Australian Private Investigators - Using Surveillance to Catch your Partner

Undetected surveillance is an art professed by privateinvestigators and law enforcement groups throughout Australia. Surveillance is a commonly used tool by Private Investigators across Sydney, NSW, Brisbane,Gold Coast and QLD which has many forms to facilitate an ongoing investigation. It can be a very effective tool for a private investigator and their clients if done after proper training and hands-on experience in the field. All of Lipstick Investigations staff are fully licensed after completing government nominated training standards equal to or greater than Certificate III in Investigative Services under the Australian National Training Authority framework.

First of all, the meaning of surveillance should be understood. It can be defined as close observation of a person or group, especially one under suspicion. There are numerous reasons why private investigators do surveillance in an investigation, but the most important reason is to learn how, who, where and when a subject will act – and to catch them during that act for evidentiary purposes. This is especially important when trying to gain proof of affairs or infidelity within relationships.

The investigator needs to plan on the way surveillance will be conducted. Whether it would be conducted on foot, by car, using static surveillance cameras or by just following the suspect using a combination of methods. Also the feasibility of surveillance in traffic, at home, at the office or even out in the Australian countryside should be considered. All these and many more factors must be determined before surveillance can even be initiated. The private investigators would normally already have the target identified with information supplied by their client. They only need to decide on the starting location of the target, and where he or she needs to be observed. Another very important factor when it comes to surveillance is the timing of the surveillance. Mostly the private investigators are left with no option about the timing as they have to act as per the routine of the suspect.

There are many private investigators providing excellent surveillance services, but of course some are better than others. Lipstick Investigations with offices in Sydney and on the Gold Coast in south-eastern Queensland is one of the most reputed private detective firms in Australia. Licensed since 1998, Lipstick Investigations performs surveillance using the most advanced and sophisticated equipment, such as surveillance vehicles, digital / video cameras, and sophisticated communications equipment. The surveillance operatives have an assortment of vehicles fit for every situation. Lipstick Investigations has a very high public profile including regular appearances on television, radio and print media. For more information visit us at www.lipstickinvestigations.com.au

An Introduction to Private Investigation in Australia

Welcome to Lipstick Investigations, Australia’s highest profile relationships private investigators. We have an office in North Sydney just over the Harbour Bridge from the Sydney CBD where we have been since 1997. We also have an office in Broadbeach, on the beautiful Gold Coast of Queensland, opened in June 2010.

We have been carrying our private investigation services under the very same management right around Australia since our establishment in 1996. Our clients come from across Sydney and the Gold Coast as well as around Australia, and from as far afield as the United States of America and the United Kingdom. No assignment is too big or too small and over that period of time we have pretty much seen every scenario imaginable come through the door………

The methods used to gain results for our clients are wide and varied (to be discussed individually in later articles). However as we are licensed by the police in each state, we are bound by Australian laws which are quite strict so we aren’t prepared to plant listening devices or use vehicle trackers like other private detectives do in the movies. It also normally takes us more than an hour to solve a complex case – we obviously don’t have the resources of the CSI team!!

There are two main areas of private investigation used in Australia:

•  The first is surveillance. Surveillance is literally the art of following a person about and recording their movements - where they go – who they meet – what they do. This is the most common form of investigation for Lipstick Investigations. If you need to establish if your partner is cheating or committing infidelity or if you need information for an upcoming Family Law case then this is often the best way to document the events that are happening. It is nearly impossible for your spouse or partner to argue against video evidence!
• The second method we use to gather information is known as factual investigation. This entails pretty much anything that is not surveillance! For example, we will carry out computer inquiries from public and private databases, monitor social media such as Facebook and Twitter, we will analyse computer and telephone information, and we will go out and talk to people the get the answers you need.

Of course there are some cases which require an individual specialty – something completely different. There aren’t too many investigations cases we have not been able carry out, and there have been some AMAZING assignments over the years. We wish we could tell you, but of course privacy and client discretion are of utmost importance to us.

Stay tuned for regular updates. We will definitely keep you informed. If you have any questions in the meantime, just call us on 1300LIPSTICK or email us at enquiries@lipstickinvestigations.com.au at any time.