Frequently Asked Questions
HOW DO I KNOW IF I NEED A PRIVATE INVESTIGATOR?
The skills and areas of expertise of our Private Investor Team are vast, which means that our clients approach us for assistance with a diverse array of situations. At its core, we are instrumental in helping you secure answers, whether you need to verify information within your private life (i.e. infidelity within your relationship, information for a divorce or child custody case, or finding the location of a missing loved one) or your business (i.e. corporate fraud investigations or an undercover boss operation). Using a highly customized approach tailored to your unique needs, circumstances, timeline, and budget, we employ state-of-the-art investigative methods to deliver professionally collected evidence.
You name it, we’ve seen it. No case is too complex for our Private Investigation Rockstars; reach out to our team today and we’ll share how our Toronto Private Investigators can get you the answers and the peace of mind that you’re after.
HOW MUCH DOES A PRIVATE INVESTIGATOR COST?
Since each of our investigations are highly customized to the unique needs of each client, the cost of each approach can vary substantially. Components that will impact the final cost may include the depth of information that you’re seeking, and how long you would like the investigation to run.
At SQPI, we firmly believe that cost should not be a limiting factor to obtaining the answers you need. For this reason we are committed to ensuring that our services work with or under the budget of each of our clients; you control how much or how little you want to spend. We offer an all-inclusive hourly rate for surveillance and investigative research, and we never charge for kilometers or extras that arise along the way. This hourly rate includes a senior private investigator, kilometers, gas, supplies, USB of all high resolution 4K video and photography evidence and, of course, access to our exclusive live feed updates.
Any additional services that you would like added to your investigation – such as GPS rental, background checks, person locates and skip tracing – are provided at a flat fixed rate. As part of our dedication to serving as your trusted, transparent partner, we will share all costs or fees upfront prior to executing any of your services. No surprises, just answers and the unparalleled support of the SQPI team.
WHAT HAPPENS AFTER MY INVESTIGATION?
For some of our clients, holding evidence of the truth is enough to bring them the clarify and confidence they needed to make informed decisions and move through their current situation. But for others, the struggle continues even after their investigation is complete.
We recognize that many of our clients are navigating highly stressful, emotionally-charge situations and may require future support once their evidence has been presented; accordingly, we introduced our Case Support & Life Coaching to guide our clients through a challenging time of transition. Led by a Certified Life Coach, this program supports our commitment to holistic client care, ensuring that even after their investigation is over, our clients feel supported and in control.
This program is open to anyone who is struggling to meet their full potential or is looking to make a change in their life.
CAN A PRIVATE INVESTIGATOR HELP ME WITH MY COURT CASE?
Yes! Private Investigators are highly trained and experienced in collecting time-stamped and legally obtained video footage or photography evidence that can be used within a court of law, or any other government body. Video or photographic evidence doesn’t lie; that’s why these form of evidence is so heavily relied upon within court cases. Sometimes, a Private Investigator may be requested to testify for any evidence collected through your investigation. Alternatively, we can prepare written reports to accompany all evidence or findings.
As well as 4K video and photography, other evidence that may gathered by our Investigative Team and used within a court case can include witness testimonials, background checks, asset searches, and affidavits.
ARE PRIVATE INVESTIGATORS LICENSED?
Yes! Professional Private Investigators are required to hold a license and undergo rigorous, extensive training in order to obtain their full PI certification. Only evidence collected by a licensed and certified Private Investigator is admissible within a court of law, therefore it is critical that you ensure you are seeking the services of an Agency that complies with these standards and requirements.
Is well as being fully licensed by the Ministry of Community Safety & Correctional Services (MCSCS), all our Private Investigators are former law enforcement officers with highly specialized investigative skillsets. The reputation of our Toronto Private Investigator team is built upon our unparalleled expertise, which has made us the trusted choice for individuals and businesses across the Greater Toronto Area.
DO PRIVATE INVESTIGATORS WORK WITH THE POLICE?
Yes! Experienced Private Investigation Agencies can be requested to assist in the gathering of evidence for all types of investigations including family law, fraud, theft, abuse, missing persons, and criminal cases. Since the SQPI Team is comprised exclusively of former law-enforcement officers, our Private Investigators have the skills and experience necessary to work in tandem with the police and have a longstanding relationship with Toronto Law Enforcement.
Our investigative approach is always aligned to the needs and preferences of our clients. Some of our clients suspect or know that the subject they want investigated is, or could be involved in some kind of illegal activity and accordingly do not want the police involved. No problem; you have the authority to determine who sees your collected evidence, including the police.
Other clients may wish to pursue criminal action through the police, but first look to our Private Investigators for assistance in compiling the necessary evidence. We help these clients assemble a thorough investigative package with reports, photos, video footage and other evidence that yourself or your Investigator can take to your local police station. With the help of this intel, the police are able to act more efficiently and effectively.
CAN A PRIVATE INVESTIGATOR ARREST SOMEONE?
Under section 494 of the Criminal Code of Canada, anyone may make an arrest of an individual, commonly referred to as a “citizen’s arrest”. There are however strict conditions that must be met to make the arrest, as well as what must be done after the arrest is made. While a Private Investigator may legally perform a citizen’s arrest, most reputable Canadian Investigators will choose to not engage in this kind of practice.
Private investigators are not the same as law enforcement officers. They will however gather the necessary evidence that can lead or assist law enforcement with an arrest. It is always best to contact your local police to intervene, rather than making a citizen’s arrest.
CAN A PI HELP ME FIND SOMEONE?
Yes, Private Investigators are often contacted to help locate a runaway child or teenager, a wandering aging parent, a fleeing debtor, a lost spouse, a missing employee, or anyone whose whereabouts are unknown. Known as Skip Tracing, the Star Quality Private Investigations® team will create a customized strategy drawing on a variety of leading-edge investigative tools to quickly and securely locate the person in question.
CAN I HIRE A PRIVATE INVESTIGATOR TO FOLLOW SOMEONE?
Absolutely. Surveillance is a critical component of many of the investigations that we perform, and our Private Investigators are highly specialized in mobile surveillance techniques to ensure ultimate discretion while tracking the movement and collecting evidence (high definition 4K video and photography) of the subject in question.
Star Quality Private Investigations® Toronto is proud to offer an hourly rate for surveillance services. This rate includes a senior private investigator, kilometers, gas, supplies, USB of all high resolution 4K video and photography evidence and access to our exclusive live feed updates.
CAN A PRIVATE INVESTIGATOR OBTAIN PHONE RECORDS OR WIRETAP A DEVICE?
Star Quality Private Investigations® is committed to abiding by all privacy restrictions laws and ethical guidelines set forth by Canadian government (including PIPEDA or the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act). These guidelines are in place to respect every Canadian’s right to privacy, and as such, we ensure all investigative services are performed in accordance with these acts.
Private Investigators are not legally permitted to access private phone records or tap into (or monitor) a phone line. Further, Private Investigators may not legally hack into an individual’s personal online accounts or files, such as their email, social media, or e-banking account.
Any information that we collect is obtained exclusively through legal, ethical methods. Any online information that we collect about the individual, is only what has been made public, and therefore has fair use. In addition, our surveillance team may legally collect evidence of the subject (including audio recordings and 4K video and photography footage) from any public space.