Questions frequently asked by our customers:
How does hiring a private investigator through Mark Matthews and Associates work?
Once contracted, we connect you with the most professional, associate investigator who's qualified in the field of investigation you're requesting.
Associate investigators assigned to your case are not employees of Mark Matthews and Associates but are experts in their field of training, hand picked through our vigorous vetting process. Your investigator cannot work hours without your approval and the case managers direction. Payment for services are required in advance and are securely handle through our accounts receivable department.
What can investigators do?
Investigators typically perform surveillance, witness interviews, document retrieval and digital research to name a few. A real-time observation specialist can help you get photographic evidence of real time events or activities. A digital researcher catalogs records needed to further the investigation or as evidence in a court of law.
Our investigators have helped people find missing relatives, children and friends, document unfaithful spouses, find stolen property, identify fraudsters, determine someone's background prior to a business deal as well as many more complex matters.
Investigators within our network operate completely within legal means. All of our associate investigators operate inside the boundaries of the laws governing the licensing of private investigators. With that said, you can count on the evidence obtained by our investigators being ligitamite and admissible in a court of law.
What is the difference between on-location and remote research?
"On Location" is defined by the need to be physically present in order to accomplish the case assignment. This can include surveillance, neighborhood canvassing, witness interviews and some hard document retrieval. Remote research is done entirely through databases and other online resources and can be conducted from any location throughout the United States.
How long is a typical case?
The amount of time required on any given investigation is determined by the type of case requested for investigation. Locates and background checks can take days or even hours to accomplish, where surveillance based cases are relevant to the hours you have authorized. Typically research cases can range anywhere from 2-8 hours and surveillance cases can range anywhere from 4-20 but is always dependent on your authorization.
Will anyone know I have hired a private investigator?
Our services are 100% confidential. No-one other than you or someone designated in writing by you will ever receive information relative to our ongoing investigation. Only your case manager and the private investigator assigned to your case will have knowledge that you have retained our services.
For surveillance cases, how do investigators follow people without getting caught?
The overwhelming majority of private investigators in our network have over 5 years of experience, which is a mandatory requirement to be an associate investigator. There are times when private investigators with less experience are tasked with you investigation when time and money are a consequence.
Investigators have to make split second decision during an investigation and it takes a highly skilled, experienced investigator to be able to anticipate what is going to happen next. That's why only seasoned professionals are assigned to your case, insuring the outcome of the investigation.
It's important to note that regardless of how much experience and skill any one investigator has, they're not invisible. Certain circumstances or events can cause them or their vehicle to be noticed, however, our investigators take every precaution to avoid being detected. That is why it is important to hire the most experienced, investigator who we have vetted and verified their expertise and needed equipment to conclude your investigation in a professional manner.
Where are you located? Can you help me in my area?
Although our operations center is located in Denver, Colorado, we orchestrate investigative assignments throughout the country. We have a network of associate investigators located in most major cities throughout the United States.
All investigators performing real-time observation are licensed professionals, unless the state in which they are operating does not have a formal licensing requirement or if the work to be performed does not require licensing.
What qualifications do investigators in your network hold?
Our investigators are trained, experienced professionals, hand picked for their particular skill set. So as to provide our clients timely, cost effective investigations, we use licensed private investigators who reside nearest the geographical location of the investigation.
The overwhelming majority of the investigators in our network are professional investigators with a wide range of experience as former military, local law enforcement, federal agents with extensive backgrounds in conducting surveillance and investigations.
All associate investigators have extensive experience that has been verified through our rigorous vetting program. You only get assigned to quality, experienced, professional investigators when you contract with Mark Matthews and Associates.
Are there additional fees or expenses outside of the hourly rate that I should anticipate?
Some cases require additional database fees to obtain crucial information regarding your case such as registered motor vehicles. The cost of these fees vary and are largely dependent on the type of information needed. Also, while we make every effort to offer an extensive network of investigators nationwide, occasionally a surveillance case will require additional travel costs, if a "local" investigator is unavailable. In the event additional database fees or travel costs are needed, your case manager will advise accordingly and obtain your authorization before acquiring such information.
When can I expect to hear from my investigator and how can I get in touch with the support team, if needed?
Once you have provided all of the information needed to staff your case, one of our associate investigators will contact you to establish communications. Depending on the type of investigation time line (REGULAR OR EXPEDITED) this usually occurs within 24 hrs. Should you ever have any questions regarding your file, you can always contact our case management division by calling our Customer Support Team at 877-535-9154.
Note: Expedited requests are billed at a 30% increase and are applicable to case requests inside of the 24 hr. request period needed to organize a standard investigation.
- How does hiring a private investigator through Mark Matthews and Associates work?
- What Can an Investigator do?
- What is the difference between on-location and remote research?
- How long is a typical case?
- Will the person I am investigating know or will anyone else have the ability to find out?
- For surveillance cases, how do investigators follow people without getting caught?
- Where are you located? Can you help me in my area?
- Are all investigators in your network licensed?
- What qualifications do investigators in your network hold?
- Are there additional fees or expenses outside of the hourly rate that I should anticipate?
- When can I expect to hear from my assigned investigator and how can I get in touch with my case manager if needed?
How does hiring a private investigator through Mark Matthews and Associates work?
Once contracted, we connect you with the most professional, associate investigator who's qualified in the field of investigation you're requesting.
- Your investigation is initiated by contacting our case management division at (877) 535-9154 or requesting further information at New Case Request. Once we have obtained all of the needed information an investigative plan will be crafted based on the hours of investigative time you have authorized. Once the investigative plan is completed, it will be sent to the investigator assigned to handle your file. From there forward, the assigned investigator will be your main point of contact, unless for some reason you're unable to make contact, at which time your case manager can always be contacted by calling (877) 535-9154.
- Once the assigned investigator starts on your file, you will be updated by text or email, what ever method you choose. The investigator only gives you updates based as information is developed. You will always be keep up to date on time spent and upon reaching the time limit initially approved, you will be advised as to what additional time is needed to further the investigation if the results are inconclusive. The investigator will only further the investigation with your authorization and payment of additional fees. Once the case is concluded, the investigator will send you a summary report of their findings (via email) and copies of any evidence obtained during the investigation.
Associate investigators assigned to your case are not employees of Mark Matthews and Associates but are experts in their field of training, hand picked through our vigorous vetting process. Your investigator cannot work hours without your approval and the case managers direction. Payment for services are required in advance and are securely handle through our accounts receivable department.
What can investigators do?
Investigators typically perform surveillance, witness interviews, document retrieval and digital research to name a few. A real-time observation specialist can help you get photographic evidence of real time events or activities. A digital researcher catalogs records needed to further the investigation or as evidence in a court of law.
Our investigators have helped people find missing relatives, children and friends, document unfaithful spouses, find stolen property, identify fraudsters, determine someone's background prior to a business deal as well as many more complex matters.
Investigators within our network operate completely within legal means. All of our associate investigators operate inside the boundaries of the laws governing the licensing of private investigators. With that said, you can count on the evidence obtained by our investigators being ligitamite and admissible in a court of law.
What is the difference between on-location and remote research?
"On Location" is defined by the need to be physically present in order to accomplish the case assignment. This can include surveillance, neighborhood canvassing, witness interviews and some hard document retrieval. Remote research is done entirely through databases and other online resources and can be conducted from any location throughout the United States.
How long is a typical case?
The amount of time required on any given investigation is determined by the type of case requested for investigation. Locates and background checks can take days or even hours to accomplish, where surveillance based cases are relevant to the hours you have authorized. Typically research cases can range anywhere from 2-8 hours and surveillance cases can range anywhere from 4-20 but is always dependent on your authorization.
Will anyone know I have hired a private investigator?
Our services are 100% confidential. No-one other than you or someone designated in writing by you will ever receive information relative to our ongoing investigation. Only your case manager and the private investigator assigned to your case will have knowledge that you have retained our services.
For surveillance cases, how do investigators follow people without getting caught?
The overwhelming majority of private investigators in our network have over 5 years of experience, which is a mandatory requirement to be an associate investigator. There are times when private investigators with less experience are tasked with you investigation when time and money are a consequence.
Investigators have to make split second decision during an investigation and it takes a highly skilled, experienced investigator to be able to anticipate what is going to happen next. That's why only seasoned professionals are assigned to your case, insuring the outcome of the investigation.
It's important to note that regardless of how much experience and skill any one investigator has, they're not invisible. Certain circumstances or events can cause them or their vehicle to be noticed, however, our investigators take every precaution to avoid being detected. That is why it is important to hire the most experienced, investigator who we have vetted and verified their expertise and needed equipment to conclude your investigation in a professional manner.
Where are you located? Can you help me in my area?
Although our operations center is located in Denver, Colorado, we orchestrate investigative assignments throughout the country. We have a network of associate investigators located in most major cities throughout the United States.
All investigators performing real-time observation are licensed professionals, unless the state in which they are operating does not have a formal licensing requirement or if the work to be performed does not require licensing.
What qualifications do investigators in your network hold?
Our investigators are trained, experienced professionals, hand picked for their particular skill set. So as to provide our clients timely, cost effective investigations, we use licensed private investigators who reside nearest the geographical location of the investigation.
The overwhelming majority of the investigators in our network are professional investigators with a wide range of experience as former military, local law enforcement, federal agents with extensive backgrounds in conducting surveillance and investigations.
All associate investigators have extensive experience that has been verified through our rigorous vetting program. You only get assigned to quality, experienced, professional investigators when you contract with Mark Matthews and Associates.
Are there additional fees or expenses outside of the hourly rate that I should anticipate?
Some cases require additional database fees to obtain crucial information regarding your case such as registered motor vehicles. The cost of these fees vary and are largely dependent on the type of information needed. Also, while we make every effort to offer an extensive network of investigators nationwide, occasionally a surveillance case will require additional travel costs, if a "local" investigator is unavailable. In the event additional database fees or travel costs are needed, your case manager will advise accordingly and obtain your authorization before acquiring such information.
When can I expect to hear from my investigator and how can I get in touch with the support team, if needed?
Once you have provided all of the information needed to staff your case, one of our associate investigators will contact you to establish communications. Depending on the type of investigation time line (REGULAR OR EXPEDITED) this usually occurs within 24 hrs. Should you ever have any questions regarding your file, you can always contact our case management division by calling our Customer Support Team at 877-535-9154.
Note: Expedited requests are billed at a 30% increase and are applicable to case requests inside of the 24 hr. request period needed to organize a standard investigation.