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.

Organising Your Surveillance Investigation

Selecting a private investigator for video surveillance purposes is no easy task. Regardless of where you are, the investigator you hire can have lasting effects on your particular case. Choosing the wrong private investigator for video surveillance based on the price alone may expose you to scrutiny by your partner, your business associate or legal representative, targeting the competence of the hired investigators.

To avoid these pitfalls and more we have put together 4 questions we recommend asking any investigator that you are considering hiring for video surveillance.

1. Ask For A Copy of Their State Issued Private Investigators License

Licensing requirements vary from state to state. Ensure that they are licensed in the State in which you intend to hire them. Don't be afraid to confirm with the State that the investigation firm you are looking to hire is in good standing and have the correct licensing. Most states have the ability to check the registration of the business online, as long as you have the licence number. It is a legal requirement for any investigation firm or sole operator to list their licence number on their website. Before contacting them check the validity of the licence with the relevant authorities.

2. Ask If the Private Investigators Surveillance Videos Have a Date & Time Stamp

Make sure that your investigator's videos are authenticated with a date and time stamp on every scene. If there is no date and time stamp the video is less likely to be admitted as evidence into court, and will be of no value to you. It amazes me how often I still see videos with no date or time stamp on them. Current digital technology with time and date stamps can be tricky so make sure you get what you are paying for.

3. Ask The Private Investigator You Are Hiring What Type Of Plan They Would Implement For Your Specific Surveillance Scenario.

Present the facts of your case to the private investigator and ask for a surveillance strategy. Every surveillance job is different, and your potential video surveillance expert should have no problem sharing their ideas with you about they plan to achieve surveillance success on your behalf. An investigator specializing in video surveillance should have good rationale in their approach to your case. The strategy should be logical and based on the facts of the case resulting in an efficient and effective plan to achieve the desired objectives. For an experienced investigator this should be quite straightforward.

4. Ask How Much Your Private Investigator Charges - Be Wary Of the Cheapest Price

You know the old adage - you get what you pay for.

The two investigator formula is a formula for success. After obtaining video the next most important thing is avoiding being caught out by the subject. Years of experience in the field often correlate to an increase in the price of surveillance. It is worth the extra money to assure that you are hiring a veteran investigator(s) that knows how to avoid being detected. A private detective is not invisible and relies on experience and common sense to blend in with his surroundings, and not take chances that would risk blowing open a discreet investigation.

Once the surveillance is comprised and a subject is aware they have been followed by an investigator you can never follow that person again without them looking over their shoulder limiting all future success. Two private investigators covering every possible exit, mode of transportation and the ability to follow long, short or quick and frequent stops is the best strategy for conducting video surveillance undetected, allowing for multiple attempts and increasing your chance for success.

Going with the cheapest price in the beginning may end up costing you twice as much in the end.

Please feel free to call us at anytime on 1300LIPSTICK for a confidential chat about your precise requirements. Or you can send us an email at enquiries@lipstickinvestigations.com.au - we assure you this will be answered within hours

What is the cost of a private investigator?

How much does a private investigator cost? Well, that is an excellent question. Private investigation in Australia is a fairly small industry sector, although it is still a competitive one. There are a number of small operators giving the impression that they are larger than they actually are, and a few unscrupulous operators as well. All private detectives are required to be licensed in their states of operation and this can confirmed with a simple check of the licensing authority in the state of operation.

So what is the cost ??…….. There are a variety of diverse services we offer and each product can vary in cost depending on the amount of hours, and expertise required. And to make things more unknown, most investigations don’t come with a fixed charge because we don’t know how long it will take to get the answers required……. think about it logically – it makes total sense. This is especially true for relationship investigations.

For example, nearly all spousal and relationship investigations today are solved by carrying out visual surveillance (following the subject) because this is one of the few legal directions we now have. Surveillance is charged at an hourly rate – not ‘per investigation’. It is a time based exercise until the results come your way, although some customers do have a precise timeframe that they need a private detective so they can work out what it will cost. For example at this time of year we are often called to investigate work Christmas parties because the client was not invited. So the client will often know the exact venue and times they want the partner watched – they can pretty much lock in the cost because it is a one-off event and they will know the hours required.

Surveillance is charged at an hourly rate of $95 per operative used on the job. Some investigations need two and even more operatives and the costs rise consequently. It can be difficult to calculate the typical outlay for a surveillance assignment but we would advise that somewhere in the vicinity of $1500 and $3000 would be quite standard. Many assignments come in at a lesser charge, and some can go way over this average as well. We have solved problems for as little as $380, and some customers have spent well into the hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Occasionally there may be another way to solve a relationship problem including background checks, general database inquiries, computer and mobile phone forensics. In these situations we really have to discuss circumstances of the issue and then we can work out how much it may cost to investigate these alternate directions. You may be pleasantly surprised that many matters may be cheaper than you would have imagined. Call us at any time and we are only too happy to advise further. That’s what we are here for.

Should you wish to contact us here at LipstickInvestigations in Sydney or Brisbane, Gold Coast or Tweed, please feel free to call us on 1300LIPSTICK, mobile on 0411 853 111 or email us directly 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