The Angle: Educating businesses and individuals on the legal risks of DIY investigations.
We live in an era where everyone feels like a detective. With a few clicks, you can find someone’s social media or a grainy photo of their house. But in California, there is a massive legal chasm between “looking someone up” and “conducting an investigation.”
Under the California Private Investigator Act, it is illegal for anyone to engage in the business of a private investigator, which includes skip tracing, surveillance, or vetting background info for a fee, unless they are licensed by the Bureau of Security and Investigative Services (BSIS).
The Hidden Risks of “Unlicensed” Sleuthing
Many businesses try to save money by hiring “consultants” or using automated online background check tools. Here is why that is a dangerous move:
- Admissibility in Court: If you are investigating a cheating business partner or a fraudulent workers’ comp claim, the evidence must be gathered legally. Evidence obtained by an unlicensed individual is often tossed out of court, rendering your entire investment useless.
- The “Stalking” Trap: In California, the line between legal surveillance and illegal stalking is thin. Licensed PIs at Peralta are trained to operate within the bounds of the law, protecting you from being sued for invasion of privacy.
- Comprehensive “Skip Tracing”: Whether you’re trying to serve a subpoena or find a runaway debtor, our team has access to non-public databases and field techniques that a Google search simply cannot touch.
At Peralta Associates and Defense, our investigators are veteran-led and BSIS-compliant. We don’t just find information; we find admissible truth.