FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:

Can a Private Investigator obtain cellphone records?

Yes, but there are important rules to follow. In Canada, it’s generally illegal for a Private Investigator to get someone’s cellphone records without the owner’s permission. Those who can access these records without consent usually work in law enforcement and have a warrant or court-issued subpoena.

All Private Investigators must follow the privacy laws in their respective province. This means they can use legal methods to gather other important information needed for an investigation.

Can a Private Investigator Legally Track Someone’s Cellphone in Canada?

No, they cannot, and here’s why:

In Canada, it’s illegal for a Private Investigator to track someone’s cellphone without their permission. While technology may allow for tracking another person’s cellphone, monitoring their activities or GPS location without their consent is against the law.

Legally, tracking can only be done with the clear and voluntary consent of the person you want to track. The only exceptions are law enforcement agents who have been granted specific wiretapping privileges or obtained a warrant.

Your privacy and the privacy of your partner are protected by laws and regulations, and tracking without consent is not allowed.

Can Any Private Investigator Assist You in Canada?

No, not just any Private Investigator can help you in Canada. Here’s what you need to know:

In Canada, only a licensed Private Investigator can assist you with your investigative needs, and this assistance must be provided through a licensed Private Investigative Agency. An individual Private Investigator can’t help you with an investigative request if they operate alone for personal gain and without the backing of an agency.

Licensed Private Investigators are experts in various areas, and they can assist with a wide range of matters, including Child Custody cases, Missing Persons, Surveillance, Undercover Investigations, GPS Tracking, Skip Tracing, Social Media Searches, Background Checks, Strike Monitoring, and many more.

When you need the services of a Private Investigator in Canada, ensure that they are licensed and operating through a licensed agency in their province to ensure professionalism and adherence to legal and ethical standards.

Is Your Personal Information Safe When You Hire a Private Investigator in Canada?

Absolutely. Your privacy and personal information are well-protected when you hire a licensed Canadian Private Investigator. Here’s why:

All licensed Private Investigators in Canada are required to follow the rules outlined in the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA). This means that any personal information collected can only be used for the specific purposes it was gathered for. Your Private Investigative Agency is bound by law to keep your personal information confidential.

Additionally, the agency is responsible for safeguarding any personal information they collect. This protection includes physical security and electronic security measures to ensure that your information is not exposed or misused. Your privacy is our top priority when you work our licensed agency.

What Can Canadian Private Investigators Legally Do?

Canadian Private Investigators offer a wide range of valuable services, including:

• WSIB Investigations: Looking into Workplace Safety and Insurance Board matters.
• Insurance and Disability Claims: Investigating insurance claims and disability cases.
• Asset Protection: Safeguarding assets for individuals or businesses.
• Corporate Security: Providing security solutions for companies.
• Information Verification: Checking the accuracy of information.
• Locating Missing Persons: Helping find individuals who are missing.
• Fraud Investigations: Investigating cases involving deception or fraud.
• Social Media Searches: Gathering information from social media.
• Background Searches: Researching someone’s history or background.
• Skip Tracing: Locating people who can’t be easily found.
• Child Custody Information Gathering: Assisting in child custody cases.
• Family Welfare Investigations: Ensuring the well-being of families.
• Infidelity Investigations: Investigating suspected infidelity in relationships.
• Serving Documents: Delivering legal documents to relevant parties.
• Criminal Investigations: Examining criminal cases and activities.

Contrary to what’s often seen in Hollywood, Canadian Private Investigators do not engage in activities like breaking into private buildings, trespassing, assault, intimidation, or harassment. They also don’t use badges for identification, as law enforcement does. Instead, Private Investigators must provide their government-issued ID upon request, operating within the bounds of the law and respecting privacy and legal regulations.

Are Government Agencies Regulating Private Investigators in Canada?

Yes, indeed. Here’s how it works:

In Canada, Private Investigators are governed and regulated by various government agencies. They must hold a valid license issued by the specific Canadian province in which they operate. To become a licensed Investigator, applicants go through rigorous training, testing, and a criminal background check.

Once licensed, Private Investigators work through an investigative agency. These agencies also need a valid license and must fully understand their responsibilities under the Private Security and Investigative Services Act of 2005.

By law, all investigative agencies must be bondable and have valid liability insurance to protect both clients and themselves. Additionally, Private Investigative Agencies must have a solid understanding of the Trespass to Property Act and the Criminal Code to ensure they operate within the boundaries of the law.

This regulation and oversight ensure that Private Investigators in Canada meet high professional and ethical standards, providing you with reliable and trusted services.

Who Can Use a GPS Tracker on a Vehicle in Canada?

In Canada, using a GPS tracker on a vehicle is usually legal if you own the vehicle, whether the person driving it knows about it or not. But there are some important rules to remember:

If you don’t own the vehicle, you can’t just put a GPS tracker on it. Doing so would violate the person’s reasonable expectation of privacy.

However, if you need GPS tracking services, you can turn to a Private Investigative Agency. They offer GPS tracking solutions for individuals, corporations, government agencies, and non-profit organizations. This allows you to keep an eye on your assets in real-time.

If you’re interested in purchasing a GPS tracker or using tracking services, please visit our ONLINE STORE to explore your options.

Becoming a Private Investigator in Ontario, Canada

Becoming a Private Investigator in Ontario is a well-structured process. Here’s how you can do it:

1. Complete a Ministry-Approved Course: You’ll need to successfully finish a Ministry-approved course, which is available in both in-person and online formats. Once you complete the course, you’ll receive a confirmation number that will verify your course completion.
2. Take a Written Exam: You can then apply to take a written exam. Achieving a minimum passing grade on this exam is the next step.
3. Apply for a Private Investigator License: After passing the exam, you can apply for your Private Investigator license. Keep in mind that a criminal and background check will be conducted before your license is issued.
4. Get Hired: To kick-start your career, you’ll need to be hired by a licensed investigative agency. You can start the process by [CLICKING HERE].

Additionally, if you’re looking for more comprehensive training, post-secondary institutions like Sheridan College offer a 2-year Private Investigation program. This program provides in-depth preparation for your career as a Private Investigator.

Becoming a Private Investigator in Ontario is a well-regulated process, ensuring that licensed professionals are knowledgeable and qualified to provide reliable investigative services.

Can I Obtain Someone’s Financial or Criminal History in Canada?

Yes, but there are important rules to follow:

In Canada, personal financial and criminal history information is protected by the Privacy Act. You can only access this information with the consent of the individual you’re inquiring about.

Law enforcement personnel can access this information legally, but they need a valid reason for doing so.

If you’re an employer, landlord, or individual, you must, by law, obtain the person’s consent before conducting any investigation into their background.

If you have obtained the individual’s consent and want to perform a background check for criminal, education, credit, or social media history, please visit our ONLINE STORE for relevant services.

Respecting these rules ensures that privacy rights are protected while allowing for necessary background checks when authorized.

Understanding the Costs of Your Investigation

If you’re considering or have already decided to work with the professionals at Present Truth Investigations Inc, that’s great! Here’s what you need to know about how we handle costs before and after your service request.

1. Contact Us: If you haven’t already, please [CLICK HERE] to get in touch with us about your matter.
2. Estimate and Intake Form: After we’ve received your request, we’ll send you an estimate and ask you to complete our INTAKE FORM.
3. Invoice: Once we’ve provided you with an estimate and you’ve filled out our INTAKE FORM, we’ll send you an invoice. This invoice will outline the cost of the specific search or a retainer amount for surveillance or in-field investigations, as per your request. The retainer amount is typically a portion of the total cost and is held in trust by our agency.
4. Additional Costs: During and after a surveillance or in-field investigation, you may receive invoices for the remaining retainer amount and any extra miscellaneous expenses. These expenses can include things like investigator travel kilometers, travel time to and from the investigation location, and time spent on report and video editing.
5. Clear Expenses: Any other potential expenses beyond the standard ones will be discussed and agreed upon before or during the active investigation. Rest assured that all costs will be transparent and detailed on your estimate and invoice.

If you have further questions or need to discuss your matter in more detail, please don’t hesitate to contact us at info@presenttruthinvestigations.com or by calling 1-844-610-1832. We’re here to help and provide the information you need.

Understanding the Evidence from Your Investigation

When you engage our services for searches and investigations, you can expect to receive various types of evidence to support your case:

1. Detailed Reports: We provide comprehensive written reports that summarize the findings of the investigation. These reports offer a clear and structured account of the information and evidence gathered.
2. Video Documentation: In most cases, we include video footage that has been captured during the investigation. This visual evidence can be vital for understanding the situation.
3. Photographs (Upon Request): If required, we can also include images and photographs in the report. These visuals can help further illustrate the findings. All images and video are date and time-stamped for evidentiary purposes.
4. Electronic Evidence Preservation: All electronic evidence, such as reports, images, and videos, is securely stored for a minimum of five years. This ensures the preservation of digital evidence for future reference.
5. Quick Turnaround: Depending on the type of investigation, our typical turnaround time for electronic evidence is between 1 to 5 business days. We aim to provide you with the results promptly.
6. Physical Evidence Handling: If physical evidence is collected during the investigation, it can be couriered or delivered to you. Each piece of physical evidence is carefully logged and maintained with a document

Private Investigators and Their Relationship with Law Enforcement in Canada

In Canada, the connection between Private Investigators and the Police is a bit complex. Here’s how it works:

Not Employed by Police: Private Investigators in Canada are not employed or directly commissioned by law enforcement agencies. This means they do not have access to police files or information related to ongoing police investigations.

Valuable Resource: However, the evidence and information gathered by Private Investigators can be incredibly valuable to law enforcement. When relevant, private investigators may collaborate with the police in joint operations to share legal evidence.

Rare Police Hiring: In certain circumstances, a police service may choose to hire an investigative agency as a third-party resource. However, these situations are relatively rare and do not occur frequently.

In summary, Private Investigators and the Police have distinct roles and responsibilities. While they don’t work directly for law enforcement, their work can still support police efforts when the need arises.

Guidelines to Follow After Hiring a Private Investigator in Canada

Hiring a Private Investigator is a sensitive process, and it’s important to follow certain guidelines before and during the investigation to ensure its success and maintain privacy.

1. Keep It Confidential: It’s crucial to keep the fact that you’ve hired an investigator a secret. Only share this information with people who genuinely need to know. Maintaining confidentiality is key.
2. Secure Financial Records: Ensure that any financial payments made to Present Truth Investigations, as well as electronic alerts, cannot be intercepted or accessed by the person under investigation. Protect the privacy of your financial transactions.
3. Avoid Discussing Discoveries: During an active investigation, resist the urge to hint at or discuss any new discoveries provided by our agency. Loose talk can compromise the investigation.
4. Non-Interference: Unless you have a legitimate reason to be physically present, do not interfere with the ongoing surveillance. It’s essential not to disrupt the investigator’s work.
5. Consistency is Key: Maintain your usual behavior and routines during the active investigation. Avoid acting out of character, as any sudden changes may raise suspicion in the person under investigation.
6. Open Communication: Be open and honest when communicating with our agency during the investigation. Sharing relevant information helps us work more efficiently and effectively to achieve the desired results.

By following these guidelines, you can help ensure the success and confidentiality of your investigation, allowing the Private Investigator to work effectively on your behalf.

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