ServicesInsurance Fraud and Worker Compensation
In every type of Insurance Claimant Activity Check or worker compensation investigation we offer and one or more of the following services at the direction of the Client: Interview witnesses, Photograph or film the site of the accident and injury, Determine if the claim is legitimate, Verify the claimant's residence has not changed, Determine if claimant has begun employment elsewhere, Ascertain if Claimant is injured to the extent of the Claim, and Provide the Client verbal reports throughout the investigation.
We will also provide, at the direction of the Client, Activity Checks using Video and Still Photography and neighborhood interviews to document a Claimant's physical abilities, limitations and activities that will clearly demonstrate if the Claimants are adhering to the conditions of their disability award.
These investigations could also include a detailed profile of the claimant's current address, motor vehicle information and employment status. If required, a neighborhood canvass can be made in an attempt to obtain information regarding the Claimant's daily activities. When desired, an interview with the Claimant will be conducted.
Nursing Home and Elderly Care Facility
Although the abuse and mistreatment of elderly people in nursing homes is appalling, these civil and criminal wrongs do occur. Nursing homes are often under staffed and lack the quality of highly trained professionals needed to care for the elderly. Physical abuse, emotional abuse, sexual abuse and neglect are major problems and abuse is not just limited to their physical and emotional mistreatment. The exploitation of senior citizens by stealing money, embezzling, concealment of assets, misuse of real property and possessions are some other common examples of Elder Abuse.
The conduct of the investigation may include making visits to the hospice/home health agency, nursing home, private home, retirement community or hospital - wherever the patient is, or was, domiciled. If the care site were a private home, we would interview neighbors. In other sites we would recruit appropriate expert witnesses, research the defendant institution, interview witnesses and identify other victims at the targeted facility. As the investigation progresses we report back to the client in the form of written statements and affidavits, audio or video interviews and depositions, about the living conditions, any abuse, fraud or other concerns within the facility or residence.
Wrongful Death
Wrongful death investigations are sometimes initiated by insurance companies, but often by the family of a person who has died due to the deliberate, reckless, or negligent actions of another. The goal of this type of investigation is to determine the circumstances of the wrongful death and the identity of the perpetrator, so that a claim can be made to gain compensation for close relatives, help in defraying medical costs but also to provide financial support and seek damages for pain and suffering, lost wages, mental anguish, and loss of companionship or support for the surviving relatives.
Domestic, Child Support or Child Custody
When evidence is needed for your child custody case, if you believe your child is, or will be, in danger, if you need to document the activities of the individual who has custody of your child or during visitation periods, we can help. We will obtain information of the investigated party, or parties, by conducting surveillance, interviewing potential witnesses and from confidential databases available only to investigators with permissible use. The information gathered may relate to lifestyle, assets, criminal background, DMV, real property, prior litigation and information relating to associates of the investigated party.
Missing Persons
We are expert in database research, interviews, surveillance and compiling the evidence that may bring a client's Missing Person search to an end. If the Missing Person investigation is considered a "cold case" by the authorities, we will commit the resources and personnel to continue with the investigation. This would involve a re-interview of witnesses by associates with extensive field investigation. Typically, these investigations involve a great deal of communication between the investigator and the client, so we provide you with an investigator that will listen to your problem and try to come up with a workable plan for meeting your needs.
We also follow a strict policy of notification. Exceptions to this policy include, but are not limited to, missing children and deadbeat parents - exceptions will be decided on a case-by-case basis. Separate from any exceptions noted, if the party you seek is located, they will be contacted prior to the Client obtaining the gathered intelligence. We feel that this is necessary to protect both the subject's privacy, and to prevent any criminal activity such as stalking. Upon receiving the subject's approval, all gathered information would be shared with the Client.
Destructive Groups
We have investigated destructive cults and controversial groups and movements and we have found through experience that whether they are religious, political, or financial, these groups strip their adherents of their money, family, and friends. In exchange for strict adherence to the group's leader or teachings, the adherents are promised secret knowledge, power, abilities, special access to spiritual things, or bountiful financial success. If you are concerned about a family member or friend who is involved in one of these groups, we can investigate the group and its leader for possible legal action.
In today's fast-paced and competitive business environment, accurate and timely information is imperative. Businesses today are exposed to a wide variety of risk from both internal and external forces. These risks may come from the people the businesses employ or from unscrupulous competitors. The potential loss to businesses can be staggering, whether it be property loss, theft of proprietary information, or the fees associated with defending a lawsuit.
We conduct thorough investigations of pre-employment applicants and, when necessary, personnel within the corporate structure. We specialize in conducting investigations of a sensitive internal nature. The scope of the investigation may include, but is not limited to, communications and computer or corporate espionage.
We are available to conduct investigations relating to corporate mergers and takeovers in a discreet and confidential manner. No matter how sensitive your needs may be, we are available to conduct the assignment. Whether your needs are of a pre-emptive nature designed to limit risks or involve an investigation after the fact, we have the experience to be of assistance to your business. A partial list of areas in which we have expertise:
Security Analysis and Crises Management Planning
A security analysis can help a company protect themselves, their assets, and their employees by creating a design for security that will assist a company owner to reduce potential threat and liability issues. We have the experience and proficiency to assess the security of the property and perimeter, as well as the building exterior and interior.
By detecting potential security threats and hazards we are able to ensure that a company's assets are protected. We provide the expertise that will assist a client to identify and address the serious risks that their assets, employees and their proprietary information can be subject to.
We provide your company with a detailed assessment of your corporate security. And, depending on your organizational needs, the assessment will include, but not be limited to, your security strengths and weaknesses and recommendations for improvements that will enable your company to operate in a safe, yet non-restrictive environment.
Due Diligence and Financial Investigations
Many problems arise during the acquisition of a new company and failure to conduct Due Diligence will always result in future problems. A small investment in Due Diligence can yield valuable results for your company.
Objectivity of the players involved tends to dissipate for various reasons - financial gain, career enhancement, owner cash-out, or increased executive options. No business can afford to enter into any business transaction without thoroughly checking out the other party. Because we are an independent investigative agency we can maintain the much-needed objectivity required to make the due diligence a complete success.
Employee Theft and Misconduct
Many companies go bankrupt because they lost their profits and operating capital to employee theft, drug and alcohol use, and misuse of company time by dishonest employees. Often, in many of these companies, the theft and fraud went undetected ... right up to the day their doors closed for good.
We offer discreet financial investigations in the areas of fraud, embezzlement, tax evasion, conspiracies and many other complex situations. Our investigators can help in the detection of these acts, which will protect your company, and its assets.
Whether the case involves the mail clerk, middle management, or corporate officers, your company is at risk and your policies are at issue. Courts continue to hold employers liable for their employee's conduct, while in the scope of their duties. Whether it involves theft, abuses, sexual harassment or other criminal conduct, you need the perpetrators found, identified, prosecuted and GONE.
Undercover
If you should suspect the presence of a dishonest employee, a group of conspirators impacting your Assets, or employees using your company for criminal activity you may have need of a discrete investigator detecting and documenting the illicit or illegal activity by your employees.
Cumulative losses from employee theft and other criminal and questionable activity cause not only morale degradation, but also, cut deeply into your company's ability to make a profit. If you or your employees have observed questionable and/or suspicious behavior, our investigative team can help you determine the truth behind that behavior.
Our investigation will be custom-tailored to properly insert our investigators into the workplace, and resolve the issue. Two options of 'cover' for an investigator would be considered:
Light Cover
With this option, the investigator is placed in the workplace to work a standard "shift" within the workplace to gather the information that will provide the Client answers to the questions most critical in making a business decision.
Deep Cover
With this option one or more investigators are placed into the work place to blend in with the other employees and establish working relationships in an effort to gather information. Our investigators will "live the role", working a real job, rent a local house or apartment and live the role 24 hours per day. The investigators may respond to opportunities to spend time "after hours" with the suspects and, In most cases, the investigator will present himself or herself as a willing volunteer or employee, of the targeted organization or group with the requisite "cover interest" so that he or she will gain unquestioned acceptance within the targeted group.
Technical Surveillance Counter-Measures
Espionage, both technical and physical, is a real and present danger to business today. Perhaps your competition wants the clients and market share you have garnered. Your competitors size you up, evaluate the probability-of-success, and then steal your information to attain their goals. Eavesdropping is a key component of pre-attack intelligence gathering. Detect the eavesdropping and the attacks can be thwarted before the damage is done.
Technical espionage is the most cost effective and common method used to gain the market share advantage. An inexpensive telephone tap, wiretap, bugging or eavesdropping device can cost you lost market share, clients and money. But, Corporate Espionage can be detected and prevented by Technical Surveillance Counter-measures, proactive eavesdropping detection and quarterly inspections of sensitive areas. Detection is a key element in every corporate defense plan and is cheap insurance against Corporate Espionage.
Background Investigations
ALL information of this type must comply with applicable FAIR CREDIT REPORTING ACT provisions.
Background investigations for pre-employment purposes are extremely important. False claims as to past experience, educational qualifications and professional affiliations are not unusual. The importance of this type of investigation is generally under-emphasized and an employer can be held liable for irresponsible hiring. Only after a drastic occurrence such as a personal injury or valuable property, either material or intellectual, worth thousands of dollars is missing, does the actual hiring process become important.
Without a Background Investigation process in place for your business you risk: Gangs in the Workplace; Psychologically Challenged Employees; Violent Employees; Employees with a Drug Related Past and Employees with Criminal, Theft, and Larceny Backgrounds. Also, you risk possible insertion to your workplace of employees who will do you economic harm by committing Economic Espionage for your Competitors.
Criminal Record Check
As part of a background investigation a criminal record check is performed in the locations you request. This is very important. It would certainly be unwise to hire someone in a position of trust who has an arrest background for fraud.
Education Verification
They say they have a college education? How do you know? If it isn't thoroughly checked out, you may find out they don't after it's too late. This subject has been the focus of several reports on national television. Check out your prospective employees and be sure.
Other Information Verification
A background investigation should also include: drivers license records, credit records with employee's permission, work experience, reputation in neighborhood and amongst peers. Many other sources of information can be checked to properly investigate a person's background.
Pre-Employment Screening and Background Checks
ALL information of this type must comply with applicable FAIR CREDIT REPORTING ACT provisions.
Who are you really hiring? National statistics reveal that 62% of all applicants for a position may be dishonest or have questionable backgrounds. By implementing our screening process, your company will benefit by hiring honest, dependable, and quality employees and having quality vendors and professionals servicing you. Turnover and liability to your company can be greatly reduced.
Statewide criminal background checks can be obtained from most states. Using databases, courthouse records, public records, reference interviews, confidential sources and investigative research techniques, we can provide a detailed report that outlines the background of an individual. These will include Criminal Record and Civil Record Searches. Civil Record Searches may include verification of professional licenses and certifications, complaints and lawsuits, education institution attendance, driving records, limited credit and financial information, residence and employment verifications and reference interviews.
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