After reading what Private Investigators (P.I.s) are discussing in current on line groups I am struck by some of the questions asked. So I decided to list what we as P.I.s should know.

1. Know the Law - there are several key statutes a P.I. needs to know. The Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act, the Fair Credit Reporting Act, State laws on stalking, are all critical, as is the new federal law on acquiring cell phone records; the Telephone Records and Privacy Act of 2006, S.92 and Protecting Consumer Records Phone Records Act. You need to understand several key statutes and know where to go to look up relevant laws.

2. Know how to get information - know your databases. We do not have access to NCIC, we are not Law Enforcement, but we can access a variety of reliable, sometimes up to date and relatively inexpensive databases. There are a number of database conglomerates out there that offer information to P.I.s. And there are many other on-line and off-line sources; that is, if you are in full compliance with all relevant laws.

3. Know who your client is - I am very selective of my clients - I love Corporate and attorney clients but some characters who call and want background checks and license numbers - well, you have to know who you are dealing with. I am not an information broker, I am a professional investigator. For new clients whom I cannot successfully “google” I run background checks, then decide. As the saying goes: “If it smells like a fish, it is a fish.”