To read more, click here.

To read more, click here.

To read more, click here.

The jump from NYPD to owner of a private investigation firm proved to be a learning experience. Ruskin learned how to run a business, and how to work within the restrictions of the private investigation laws and regulations. “I had to have much more government oversight than running investigations with the NYPD.” Ruskin opened CMP Protective and Investigative Group, Inc., his own private investigation firm, in 1999. While CMP began with Ruskin and a few other investigators, he now has 23 employees. They routinely tackle high profile cases, such as the current case with Dr. Richard Batista – the doctor who either wants $1.5 million in compensation or his kidney back from his estranged wife. Ruskin has appeared on television networks, like Fox News and NBC, with Dr. Batista.

For years, Ruskin has built and cultivated media relationships. It began when he worked for the NYPD, but has increased exponentially throughout the years. When media outlets need to talk to an investigative or security expert, they know they can rely on him. When the plane crashed in Buffalo, New York on February 12, 2009 CNN called him in the middle of the night to discuss emergency and crisis management.

According to Ruskin, if you are getting big cases then you will get media exposure. He says that one key to working with the media is the ability to talk about investigations in very simple terms. Ruskin says that certain people are very suitable for the media because they can be themselves.

Just as networking with the media has been valuable to his business, so has networking with anyone and everyone he meets. “Seventy-five percent of my business comes from networking,” said Ruskin. “I give my card to everyone I meet. The more people who have my card, the better the chance I’ll get a call when they hear someone saying they need a private investigator or have a problem.”

Another successful business practice of Ruskin’s is to do everything he can to please a client even if it costs him money. When a well-known celebrity client had a problem with his daughter, Ruskin spent approximately 12 hours on the case. When money became an issue, Ruskin decided to return the full retainer to the client. “I knew he knew a lot of people who could potentially utilize our services,” said Ruskin. “When he got the full retainer back, he asked: ‘How can I thank you?’ I said, ‘If someone you know ever needs our services, send him to us.’”

Ruskin uses his savvy business skills and professionalism to make sure that each client is satisfied. It is these skills that have helped his business thrive and grow during the recession.

“Even though the economy is going through tough times, we haven’t seen that hit on our business,” said Ruskin. “Our marital investigations, embezzlement, corporate investigations, background checks and litigation work have all gone up.”

Despite the success he has already achieved, Ruskin still has lofty goals for his business. “I’d like to expand the business to become the largest PI firm in New York City, and maintain being one of the most respected and relied upon,” said Ruskin. “Being respected is the most important.”

Ruskin says that throughout the past 10 years, “the caliber of a private investigator and firms has increased so much because men and women in the industry work hard to keep the standards extremely high. We are very critical of those who don’t live up to the standards which we all strive hard to reach and maintain. This is very gratifying when you see the caliber of my competition and the quality of private investigators throughout this county.”

1. How many married men in the United States are currently cheating on their wives?
Over 50 million men.

2. What percentage of cheating husbands have multiple affairs?
About 50%.

3. How many cheating husbands say their marriages have absolutely nothing to do with their cheating?
About 10%.

4. How many cheating husbands tell their wives they’ve cheated without being questioned?
Less than 10%.

5. What percentage of cheating husbands never admit to cheating?
Over 50%.

6. How many husbands say they never feel guilty about cheating on their wives?
About one-third.

7. What is the number one signal that a husband is cheating or on the road to cheating?
More time spent away from home.

8. What percentage of unfaithful husbands say they cheat because they’re predominantly unhappy with their sex lives?
Less than 10%.

9. What percentage of cheating husbands say their wives’ looks are the number one cause of sexual dissatisfaction in the relationship?
About 10%.

10. What percentage of men say their mistresses are better looking or have better bodies than their wives?
About 10%.

11. How many cheating husbands meet their mistresses on the Internet?
Less than 10%.

12. What’s the number one reason husbands say they feel emotional dissatisfaction in the marriage?
They feel unappreciated or their wives are not thoughtful or caring.

13. How long does the average U.S. couple spend talking to each other on a daily basis?
About 10 minutes.

14. What percentage of cheating husbands have close friends who also cheat?
More than 75%.

15. What percentage of cheating husbands witnessed their fathers cheat on their mothers?
Over 50%.

© 2009 Harpo Productions, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Customers are the most important aspect of any business, and one of the best competitive advantages that a company can have. This may sound basic, but many companies fail miserably when it comes to basic customer service skills. When a potential client contacts you, listen and sympathize with the caller and always refer to the customer by name. Simply using the client’s name can help establish a connection with the client. Also, be sure to sound professional and avoid using slang when speaking with clients. You run a successful, professional business and that is a message you want to convey to every client during every communication.

2. Examine Everything.

In 1940, Dick and Mac McDonald sold their first hamburger. Today, McDonald’s is the number one fast food restaurant in the world. McDonald’s got to where they are today by examining every aspect of their business right down to the number of pickles that went on to each sandwich — three. Examine your own business in this manner. Take a step back and evaluate what your business’ strengths and weaknesses are. Could you be more efficient by working while conducting surveillance? Would a wireless card and a laptop make your business more efficient? Once you have a list of weaknesses, chose one to work on and develop an action plan of how to achieve that goal.

If you are having difficulty figuring out your business’ weaknesses, try emailing a survey to individuals you have worked with. The only way for your business to truly stay on top is by closely evaluating where you can improve. Try not to be defensive about their criticism, but look at it as valuable information that will help your business grow.

3. What Makes Your Company Different? Think Small.

With so many different private investigation companies to chose from why do your clients choose you? Maybe you are the fastest, the most reasonably priced, have the best reputation or are the most convenient. Whatever your niche may be, it is crucial to understand what differentiates your business from the competition.

Once you have identified your niche customer base, evaluate how you can better reach them. What are the characteristics of your clients? Are they law firms, private individuals, insurance companies? You need to think as your customer would and focus your business on best serving that demographic. Your business cannot be everything for everyone. The key is reaching your niche group and determining what can your business do to serve them better.

4. Change Like the Seasons.

Think about how things have changed in your industry within the last 10 years. Now think about how things have changed within the last five years. Time moves fast and things change. What separates the profitable businesses from those that fail is how well they adjust to change. Having an outdated business practices is like hunting with a knife. It will get the job done, but to truly be successful and efficient you need some firepower.

Brainstorm creative new ways that you can do business. Utilize technology to improve customer interaction. If everyone does a task the same way in your industry, look for ways that your business can do it differently. Your customers’ lives have changed over the years. Your business needs to change with them to still be considered viable in the private investigation industry.

Share with us what your business has been doing to weather the economic storm. Has the upturn in litigation and foreclosures benefited your firm? Have you seen an increase in fraud investigations?

2. Buy an SUV. I know, I know…with gas prices and green initiatives, no one tells you to buy SUVs anymore. However, if you buy an SUV that weighs more than 6,000 pounds and use it at least 50 percent of the time for business, you can deduct up to 75 percent of the purchase price. SUVs that fall into this category include the Chevy Suburban, the Ford Excursion, and the Toyota Landcruiser. With struggling car companies offering great deals on vehicles, now is an especially good time to invest in a new company vehicle. Consult with your tax professional to learn how to deduct up to 75 percent of the cost of a heavy SUV in 2008.

3. Now is the time to join a local, state, or national association. Business association dues are considered tax deductible. Take advantage of this while benefiting from the networking opportunities being in an association brings.

4. Remember that education expenses can be deducted if they help you maintain or improve skills required in your present employment, or if it is a legal requirement for your job. Continuing education classes to maintain licensing would be included in this category. In addition, the registration fees for the conferences and conventions of the associations you just joined are deductible as well. Go ahead and register now for conferences that take place next year.

5. Now that you’ve registered for conferences, take the time now to book your airfare, the deduct it as travel expense. Travel expenses include air fare, hotel rooms, and car rentals. You can also deduct 50 percent of the costs for entertainment and meals that are a business expense.

6. Another business expense that you can deduct is advertising fees. Advertising fees include business cards, fliers, directory listings, and anything that promotes and publicizes your business. If you are running low on business cards, consider getting new ones (this article gives you tips for designing an effective business card). If you advertise in any directories, see if you can pay for a year of advertising now. Consider increasing your marketing budget and adding additional advertising. By paying for next year’s advertising before December 31, you benefit by relieving this year’s tax burden in a way that will drive new business to your company throughout 2009.

7. With the downturn in the economy, many charities are seeing an increase in need with a decrease in contributions. Make a holiday contribution from your company to your favorite charity or charities. Not only will you be helping people in need and fostering a spirit of goodwill in the name of your company, but charitable contributions are tax deductible.

8. If you can, prepay recurring business expenses now. Consider prepaying rent for a couple months in January, or see if you can prepay your property insurance bill. Other recurring expenses you might be able to prepay include January’s cell phone or car insurance. If you pay these expenses by check, send them by registered or certified mail so you have proof that they were mailed by the end of 2008.

9. In addition, don’t overlook the following business expenses. They fall into the “ordinary and usual” category, therefore making them deductible: bank service charges, business-related magazines and books, casual labor and tips, coffee and beverage services, commissions, credit bureau fees, office supplies, parking and meters, postage, and promotion and publicity.

10. Consult a tax professional. No one knows tax laws better than the people who are paid to know them. When in doubt, obtain the services of a CPA who will let you know for sure what can and cannot be claimed as a deduction. Remember, the cost of a CPA now just might save you the headache of an audit later.

An Affair To Remember
“Let’s call my client Bob, and his wife Dora. Bob retained me to see if Dora was having an affair. She and Bob have two children, ages five and nine. Dora moved out, and back in with her mother and father — taking with her the two children. She told Bob she needed time away.
She frequently visited the county library, where she was found talking to the janitor there. After several visits, we found the janitor was also an inmate in the county jail nearby. He was a trustee, who performed duties outside the compound, for the county. We found he was from New York, and incarcerated for bank robbery. Dora was videoed by us at the compound, holding hands and kissing the robber, many times. Dora went to the county courthouse, and found the robber one day, as he was performing his outside duties. Dora and the robber went behind closed doors, where they remained for some 30 minutes. A sheriff deputy arrived, and found the door closed and locked. He knew our PI was on this case, as he called our number. We arrived and photographed the door being kicked in, and the robber and Dora unclothed on the sofa. Needless to say, Bob now has the two children, and house. What a case!”
-William C. Bridges Investigations, LLC

I Can See Clearly Now
“This incident occurred while I was serving a defendant with a summons for an auto accident that had occurred about one year earlier. We first had to skip trace to learn his new residence. When I appeared on his doorstep I was met by his wife. She was surprised and at first acted like she had no idea what this was about. Abode service was appropriate so I explained the details and told her he was being served. Her husband came to the entry area but stayed in the background. The wife called out, ‘This is about when you hit that car last year.’ Then she told me he couldn’t be responsible because, ‘He’s blind.’ Her husband yelled at her, ‘Shut the %@&$ up!’ She then explained, ‘He could see then. He’s blind now, but he wasn’t fully blind then.’ Her husband called out in an even louder voice, ‘Shut the %@&$ up! Don’t be telling this man any of that.’ I then left and phoned the attorney for whom I was working. He asked me to be sure and provide a report of this conversation. Needless to say, the case settled within two weeks.”
-Bruce D. Graham, ETS Investigative Services

On the Case
“I am presently working a serial murder case in which I believe that my client’s mother killed my client’s father, step-father, grandmother, uncle and business partner. The mother also has poisoned and hospitalized numerous other family members. A year ago last Easter, the mother sent my client a package containing candy, which a six-year-old girl got into and then became violently ill. The girl was hospitalized and eventually stabilized. I took the candy to a private laboratory and it tested positive with high doses of arsenic.
I now have the FBI involved and police jurisdictions from three separate states working the case. I still seem to be the primary pusher of getting this case prosecuted. With the assistance of the police, we hope to soon exhume two bodies and, depending on the evidence found, dig up a couple of others. The wheels of justice seem to spin very slowly.”
-Mark Nosack, Mark Nosack Private Investigations

You Play, You Pay
“I had a paternity case and found the college student in off-campus housing. He was partying with his buds and may have had more than one – Buds that is. The 20-something answered the door, identified himself and I asked if he had ever been to Kansas. The boy answered in the affirmative last summer. He became as sober as a judge should be when I said: ‘I think you left something behind’ as I handed him the support summons and paternity complaint. He sat right down on the ground, beer in hand, and stared vacantly at me before I turned and left. You play, you pay.”
-Jordan Ulery, Ulrich Litigation Support

Did your captivating caper make our list? If not, submit your stories in the comments section below.

1) http://www.idtheftcenter.org/ — Identity Theft Resource Center® (ITRC) is a non-profit organization that offers advocacy, as well as educational resources about identity theft. Here, you can find information about identity theft – including information on how to avoid it. The website has a list of letter templates (http://www.idtheftcenter.org/artman2/publish/v_templates/index.shtml) that victims can use as well as local and state resources (http://www.idtheftcenter.org/map.html).

2) http://www.privacyrights.org/identity.htm — The Privacy Rights Clearinghouse (PRC) is a non-profit consumer organization that provides identity theft quizzes and fact sheets along with information for those who have already become the victims of identity theft.

3) http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/microsites/idtheft// — The FTC has a separate page about identity theft. Here you can learn about common crimes and cases of identity theft, as well as what the government is doing to prevent the crime and protect victims.

4) Credit Bureaus – Most people are not even aware of the fact that they have become victims of identity theft. The first sign often is new accounts opened in the victim’s name. You can find out whether someone has been using your name to open accounts by viewing your credit reports and looking for unrecognized accounts. You can get credit reports by contacting the credit bureaus: http://www.experiangroup.com/, http://www.equifax.com/home/, http://www.transunion.com/ and http://www.callcredit.co.uk/home.

5) http://www.phonebusters.com/english/recognizeit_identitythetips.html — PhoneBusters lists popular types of telephone fraud that scammers use to steal identities. This Canadian site tells consumers how to spot scams and also provides recent news releases about identity theft.

6) http://www.ic3.gov/ — The FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) provides information about online identity theft and allows you to file a claim against scammers who have targeted you.

7) http://www.privcom.gc.ca/keyIssues/ki-qc/mc-ki-idt_e.asp — In Canada, the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada offers news releases about identity theft, information, resources, warnings about known scams being perpetuated on Canadians and other resources.

http://postalinspectors.uspis.gov/investigations/MailFraud/fraudschemes/mailtheft/IdentityTheft.aspx — If you suspect that someone has gained or is trying to gain your personal information via the mail, consult the USPS website for information on preventing this type of crime.

9) http://www.ssa.gov/pubs/10064.html — If someone is using your Social Security Number to open accounts in your name or cause problems, this site tells you what steps you can take.

10) http://www.PInow.com – If you have been the victim of identity theft, the police may have limited resources to dedicate to your case. If you, like many victims, have lost assets or title to your home as a result of a scammer, you may want to hire a PI to find the fraudster and also your assets. In some cases, if you act quickly, you can recover some or most of your assets before the criminal spends the money. Proving wrong-doing also can help you to argue your case with lenders and creditors. If you need to hire a PI, PInow.com can help you quickly locate qualified private investigators in your area.

• Felony arson: The knowing and willful burning of another person’s property.
• Misdemeanor arson: Reckless or negligent burning which destroys property, even though there is no overt intent to destroy.

Some researchers have found that arson may be involved in as many as 25 percent of the fires in the United States. Despite this, successful prosecution in cases of arson is quite rare. 15 percent of urban arson cases and 23 percent of rural arson cases are successfully prosecuted. In many cases, even when evidence is very strong, investigations are found to violate a suspect’s Fourth, Fifth, and Fourteenth Amendment and deemed illegal. Even when these investigations yield evidence that is vital for a case, if the data is gathered incorrectly it is inadmissible in court.

To make matters even more confusing, the guidelines that fire investigators must follow are different for firefighters, government officials and private investigators. Private fire investigators often approach a case once firefighters arrive. Firefighters often gather useful information, such as evidence of accelerants, smoke color, area first burned and damage incurred. This information is very important to private fire investigators, who usually do not arrive until much later. In virtually all cases, investigative professionals read the official report prepared by the firefighters and also interview the firefighters who were first on the scene.

Private investigators do have some leeway. A number of state courts have found that physical evidence gathered by a private investigator is admissible in arson cases and does not violate Fourth Amendment rights, when the search is legally conducted. Furthermore, a private fire investigator conducts a fire investigation as a private citizen and is therefore not bound by guidelines pertaining to the Fourth Amendment in the same way that government officials are.
The complicated state laws surrounding fire investigations make it imperative that anyone needing a fire investigation conducted seek out a qualified, experienced private fire investigator. This is the only way to ensure that your case does not become part of the grim statistics concerning unprosecuted arson.
Arson investigations are extremely complex, and finding someone who is experienced can be difficult. To find a qualified arson investigator, visit PInow.com.