Frequently Asked Questions From GTA’s Most Trusted Private Investigators
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Frequently Asked Questions From Toronto’s Most Trusted Private Investigation Team
A Private Investigator is a licenced professional hired to investigate subjects on behalf of a client. The subject in question can be a person, a group of people, or a business operation, and in the same vein, the hiring client can be an individual, corporation, or even a government agency. A Private Investigator has specialized skills and tools at their disposal to investigate a wide variety of situations, producing high quality evidence of the subject’s activities. This evidence may serve to confirm or deny suspicions on behalf of the client or can be used within a court of law.
Private Investigation clients can be businesses or corporations requiring assistance with Corporate Investigations involving fraud, theft, background checks, and blue- or white-collar crime. Private Investigators can also be instrumental resources in the collection of evidence supporting personal and Family Law matters, including Child Custody, Divorce, Missing Person and Infidelity Investigations. The evidence uncovered by Private Investigators as part of these operations can help clients make informed decisions, allowing them to navigate these situations with clarity and confidence.
On average, Private Investigation Services in Toronto will cost upwards of $500. Keep in mind that the full cost of your investigation will vary significantly depending on the type of investigation, the extent of the information/evidence that you’re looking for, and how long you would like the investigation to run.
At Star Quality Private Investigations®, since each of our investigations are highly customized to the unique needs of each client, the cost of each approach can vary substantially. However, 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 are proud to 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 all inclusive hourly rate includes a senior private investigator, gas, supplies, USB of all high resolution 4K video and photography evidence and, of course, access to our exclusive live feed updates. We do not charge by the kilometer and are committed to fully transparent pricing with no hidden fees.
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 Star Quality Private Investigations® team.
Private Investigators are multifaceted specialists, skilled to assist in a wide array of cases, ranging from the personal to the professional. Most commonly, Private Investigators are instrumental in helping to uncover evidence in the following situations:
- Corporate Investigations (including fraud, theft, or suspicious activity within a workplace)
- Family Law Matters (including divorce, child custody, or infidelity)
- Background Checks (corporate or personal background searched to verify (or uncover) information about an individual)
- Missing Persons (or Property) Investigations (also known as Skip Tracing)
Most Private Investigation firms will make use of a variety of cutting-edge tools and skills to uncover the necessary evidence for clients, including still and mobile surveillance, audio surveillance, skip tracing, digital forensics, GPS tracking, and/or gathering witness testimony.
In Canada, all Private Investigators must be licensed under their provincial security services and private investigation legislation. In Ontario, this is known as the Private Security and Investigative Services Act. As a licenced Private Investigator, you can legally carry out services such as conducting background checks, verify information, search for missing persons or property, conduct surveillance, perform undercover operations, or use other legal means of collecting vital information to be used within a case and/or presented within a court of law.
While, in theory, a citizen can carry out any of the tasks that a Private Investigator may perform as part of an investigation, the clear difference is the skill, technology, and access to resources that makes the quality of evidence uncovered by a PI superior in both quality and legitimacy.
As a team of former law enforcement officers, our Toronto Private Investigators have the unique advantage of highly specialized skills (such as mobile surveillance, digital forensics, and tactical training), in-depth experience, and access to a broad network of information, enabling them to find answers faster.
Professionally collected, date and time stamped evidence produced by a Private Investigator is credible within a court of law. Illegitimate or illegally collected evidence may not only be refused, but it can potentially hurt your case. While anyone can produce evidence, not everyone can do it correctly.
Considering that many of our clients seek our help while navigating traumatic, or emotionally charged circumstances, their Private Investigators are able to be an important source of relief, helping them find the answers to move through these situations with peace of mind.
As private investigation professionals, we are keenly aware that evidence can only be used if it is legally obtained. A Private Investigator should never impersonate a law enforcement officer, wiretap conversations, bait or set up an individual, trespass or break and enter onto private property. All techniques and methods performed by our Investigation Team are fully compliant with municipal, provincial and federal laws. Our Agency strictly follows the rules, regulations and Code of Conduct outlined in the Private Security & Investigative Services Act.
Our Toronto Private Investigators are not only well-educated on the legal framework but are also highly experienced in the use of creative, legal methods of obtaining the information that we’re after.
Investing the time into finding the right private investigation firm for your needs will help ensure that your experience is a positive one, and that you are getting the best value for your money. Do your research and create a short list of credible firms that have the right expertise. Many firms offer a free consultation to provide answers to your most pressing questions. Choose a firm that is going to put you first and takes the time to understand your needs. If during your first call, the conversation is heavily focussed upon cost, then they likely don’t have your best interest at heart. A reputable private investigation firm will first take the time to assess if your case is right for them to take on, and if they can truly deliver the answers you’re looking for, when you need them.
When it comes to pricing, ensure you have a clear breakdown of the cost per service and receive concise communication of all payment terms. Make sure that this information is also conveyed within any contracts you sign.
Above all, trust your gut. Choose a team who is dedicated to securing the answers you need at a competitive rate and is capable of providing the level of service and care that you require.
Many people come to us in sensitive times and value that we offer a compassionate, transparent, and personalized approach to helping them navigate these personal challenges. Our goal is to empower our clients throughout their investigation, helping them regain the control that they often feel that they’ve lost before approaching us. Key features like our Live Feed help deliver an unparalleled high-touch investigation experience that has truly helped differentiate us from other Toronto Private Investigation Firms.
As Toronto’s leading Corporate Investigations Team, our Private Investigators hold specialized skillsets in working alongside business owners – from small to medium sized organizations to Fortune 500 companies – providing evidence of instances of corporate fraud, WSIB fraud, sabotage, or suspicious/criminal behaviour that has the potential to hurt your bottom line (or worse, your reputation).
We are proud to be one of few Private Investigation Agencies in Toronto to offer “undercover boss” investigations, in which our Private Investigators pose as a client, staff member or potential customer to reveal any inefficiencies or issues within your business operations. This service allows management to have an eyes-on-the-ground advantage, exposing flaws that are discreetly kept out of sight.
Talk to our team to discover how our Corporate Investigations services can offer value to your business.
Yes! We understand that a cheating spouse or partner can cause a significant amount of emotional distress including feelings of anger, hurt and betrayal. That’s why we aim to work quickly to get you the answers and clarity you need, so you make informed decisions that are in your best interest.
Our Infidelity Investigations are completely customized to your unique circumstances. We use advanced investigative techniques to secure high definition 4K photography and video (date and time-stamped) evidence of any cheating behaviour, standing behind our motto of “video and still photography does not lie”.
Feeling stuck in an endless loop of doubt, frustration, anger, and betrayal? End the cycle now by learning more about how an Infidelity Investigation can provide the clarity that you’re after.
The short answer is “yes”. As long as the Private Investigators aren’t trespassing on private property in order to capture the pictures, then it is considered legal to obtain pictures of you in your home as part of an investigation. This is the case if there is a “reasonable expectation of privacy.” For instance, if the person is inside their home or on their property, then legally that person can be photographed without permission if the private investigator is located in a public space when they are taking the photograph.
Yes! GPS trackers are used as part of our investigative toolkit in a broad range of investigations, from Infidelity Investigations and Corporate Investigation to Skip Tracing. These discreet but powerful computerized devices are used to identify the route patterns of a specific vehicle or property. Our GPS Tracking Service provides you with our Live Feed Updates, as well as a detailed location report. Legally, we must have consent from the owner of the property or vehicle prior to attaching a GPS device.
We are pleased to be one of few Private Investigation Agencies in Toronto that is licensed to rent and sell GPS devices, used by our clients to monitor personal or company property, keep loved ones safe, or as part of family law cases.
Yes! For those who suspect they’re being staked, tracked by a competitor, or are in the public eye, hiring a Private Investigator can be a reactive or proactive measure to ensure safety and secure your privacy. Known as Surveillance Countermeasure Investigations (or a bug sweep), our trained technicians use sophisticated technology to pinpoint the source of any hidden recording or tracking equipment in your personal or professional space.
Alternatively, Private Investigators can also perform mobile Undercover Surveillance Operations to identify and provide evidence of anyone who may be following or stalking you. This professional 4K photography and video evidence is date and time stamped and can be used in a court or any other governing bodies to aid a case.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
No. 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.
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.
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.
Absolutely. At Star Quality Private Investigations®, we are proud to be one of few Toronto agencies licensed to sell and rent state-of-the-art GPS devices. They can be easily attached to a vehicle or property to collect real-time location data. To abide by Canadian Law, we always ensure that these devices are only used by customers who hold ownership of the tracked vehicle.
GPS Trackers can be a great way to monitor the whereabouts of a person in question should infidelity, questionable behaviour, or substance abuse be suspected. Some clients will also use these devices if living or working in an area with a high rate of car theft.
The short answer is “yes”. As long as the Private Investigators aren’t trespassing on private property in order to capture the pictures, then it is considered legal to obtain pictures of you in your home as part of an investigation. This is the case if there is a “reasonable expectation of privacy.” For instance, if the person is inside their home or on their property, then legally that person can be photographed without permission if the private investigator is located in a public space when they are taking the photograph.
Yes! GPS trackers are used as part of our investigative toolkit in a broad range of investigations, from Infidelity Investigations and Corporate Investigation to Skip Tracing. These discreet but powerful computerized devices are used to identify the route patterns of a specific vehicle or property. Our GPS Tracking Service provides you with our Live Feed Updates, as well as a detailed location report. Legally, we must have consent from the owner of the property or vehicle prior to attaching a GPS device.
We are pleased to be one of few Private Investigation Agencies in Toronto that is licensed to rent and sell GPS devices, used by our clients to monitor personal or company property, keep loved ones safe, or as part of family law cases.
Yes! For those who suspect they’re being staked, tracked by a competitor, or are in the public eye, hiring a Private Investigator can be a reactive or proactive measure to ensure safety and secure your privacy. Known as Surveillance Countermeasure Investigations (or a bug sweep), our trained technicians use sophisticated technology to pinpoint the source of any hidden recording or tracking equipment in your personal or professional space.
Alternatively, Private Investigators can also perform mobile Undercover Surveillance Operations to identify and provide evidence of anyone who may be following or stalking you. This professional 4K photography and video evidence is date and time stamped and can be used in a court or any other governing bodies to aid a case.
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.
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 this form of evidence is so heavily relied upon within court cases.
Sometimes, a Private Investigator may be requested to testify in court for any evidence collected through your investigation. At Star Quality Private Investigations, our team of Private Investigators are highly experienced in presenting our findings within a court setting. Alternatively, we can prepare detailed written reports to accompany all evidence or findings, to be presented by your legal team.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
No. 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.
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.
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.
Absolutely. At Star Quality Private Investigations, we are proud to be one of few Toronto agencies licensed to sell and rent state-of-the-art GPS devices. They can be easily attached to a vehicle or property to collect real-time location data. To abide by Canadian Law, we always ensure that these devices are only used by customers who hold ownership of the tracked vehicle.
GPS Trackers can be a great way to monitor the whereabouts of a person in question should infidelity, questionable behaviour, or substance abuse be suspected. Some clients will also use these devices if living or working in an area with a high rate of car theft.