Investigation insights from one of New York's longest running detective agencies. Practical guidance on surveillance, counter surveillance, fraud detection, matrimonial investigation, and what to expect when hiring a private investigator.
These articles come out of real casework. When the same question comes up on enough calls, we write the answer down.
Three kinds of posts sit here. Practical guides explain how something works, such as what a polygraph can and cannot show, or how investigators actually find someone who does not want to be found. Warning sign pieces help you catch a problem early, such as elder financial abuse or a romance scam. Process pieces cover what hiring an investigator involves, including what it costs and what a surveillance operation looks like from the client side.
None of it is legal advice. Investigation law in New York is specific, and your situation may turn on a detail an article cannot know about. If a post is close to your problem but not quite it, call and ask.
Every article is directed by David Schassler, who has run the agency since 1989 under New York DOS license number 11000169770, which you can check at the New York Department of State license search. Where an article cites a statute or a federal reporting body, the link goes to the primary source so you can read it yourself.
TSCMA sweep is a snapshot, not a shield. A schedule by risk level, the ten events that should trigger one this week, and what to do in between…
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LawYes, when the investigator is licensed by the state. What that license actually requires, what no investigator may do in New York, and the offers that mean you should hang up…
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Background ChecksRomance scams start with a story that feels real. The warning signs, the checks you can run yourself, and what a licensed New York investigator verifies…
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Financial FraudIt rarely looks like a robbery. It looks like a helpful new friend or a caregiver who stays late. The signs in the money, the signs in behavior, and what to do first…
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Missing PersonsA case cannot move until the person at the center of it is found. How a real skip trace works, why free lookup sites fail, and what to bring to speed it up…
Read Article →MatrimonialA court can only divide what it knows about. Where money gets moved before a New York divorce, the red flags, and what an investigator can legally document…
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Hiring a PIThe whole process, step by step: verifying the license, the first call, the written estimate, and what happens while the case runs…
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Costs & PricingThe honest numbers: hourly rates, retainers, flat fees, and the six things that move a New York PI quote up or down…
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Identity TheftIdentity theft can turn your life upside down in just a few days. Someone takes your name, your Social Security number, or your bank login. Learn the warning signs and what to do…
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PolygraphA polygraph is often called a lie detector test. It measures how your body reacts while you answer questions. Here is an honest look at what it can and cannot do…
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TSCMIn today’s hyper connected world, privacy is more vulnerable than ever. From smart home gadgets to easily concealable surveillance devices, it has become distur…
Read ArticleTSCMIn today’s interconnected and high stakes business environment, safeguarding sensitive details is more crucial than ever. Technical Surveillance Countermeas…
Read ArticleSurveillanceIn an era where technology pervades every aspect of our personal and professional lives, the threat of electronic surveillance has become increasingly real. Tec…
Read ArticleSurveillanceIn an age where surveillance devices are smaller, cheaper, and more accessible than ever, it’s natural to wonder if your privacy is truly protected. Whether you…
Read ArticleTSCMIn the digital age, privacy is becoming a rare commodity. The proliferation of electronic surveillance technology has made it easier than ever for people,…
Read ArticleTSCMIn the fiercely competitive world of modern business, knowledge is power, and stealing that knowledge has become a high stakes game. From multinational corporati…
Read ArticleTSCMCorporate espionage is not a product of fiction. From Silicon Valley to Wall Street, countless companies have fallen prey to covert surveillance and data theft,…
Read ArticleSurveillancePrivate investigators (PIs) play a critical role in uncovering facts, resolving disputes, and supporting legal cases. In New York, as in many states, licensed i…
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SurveillanceSurveillance is one of the most powerful tools in a private investigator's arsenal. It gives real time insights, captures crucial evidence, and can often be…
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Missing PersonsEvery year, thousands of people go missing under many circumstances. Whether it’s a runaway teenager, a kidnapped child, a person with dementia who wandered…
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BackgroundIn today's digital age, details is more accessible than ever. With a few clicks and a small fee, almost anyone can run an online background check. But while…
Read ArticleSurveillanceTop Reasons to Hire a Private Investigator in New York City When most people think of New York City, they envision bright lights, towering skyscrapers, and endl…
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MatrimonialInfidelity Investigations: How a Private Eye Can Uncover the Truth Infidelity has been one of the most emotionally charged issues in relationships since the beg…
Read ArticleFamily LawChild Custody Investigations: What a PI Can Legally Do Child custody disputes are among the most emotionally difficult and legally complex matters in family law…
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CorporateCorporate Investigations: Protecting Your Business from Internal Threats In today's complex and competitive business environment, internal threats pose a seriou…
Read ArticleSurveillanceCovert Surveillance Techniques: How Professionals Stay Undetected The effectiveness of surveillance lies in one critical factor: not being seen. At New York Inv…
Read ArticleSurveillanceThe Role of Drones and Remote Cameras in Modern Surveillance Surveillance has evolved, and so have the tools we use to uncover the truth. At New York Investigati…
Read ArticleSurveillanceVehicle Tracking and Surveillance for High Risk Cases In high stakes investigations, every movement matters. Whether it’s a suspected case of infidelity, insura…
Read ArticleSurveillanceHow Attorneys Use Surveillance Investigations to Win Cases In legal battles, facts win cases, and the most compelling facts are those that can be seen, documente…
Read ArticleFraudWorkplace Injury Fraud: How Surveillance Protects Employers Workplace injuries are a serious concern, and when legitimate, they deserve immediate care and compen…
Read ArticleSurveillanceSurveillance Evidence in Civil Court: What You Need to Know Whether you’re involved in a personal injury claim, a custody dispute, or an alimony case, surveilla…
Read ArticleSurveillanceCohabitation Surveillance in Alimony Disputes If you’re paying alimony and believe your ex spouse is living with a new partner, you may have legal grounds to re…
Read ArticleSurveillanceSurveillance for Intellectual Property Theft Investigations In today’s knowledge driven economy, intellectual property (IP) is one of the most valuable assets a…
Read ArticleFraudWhat Motivates People to Commit Financial Fraud If you find yourself looking for financial fraud detectives, you may already be aware that financial fraud is a…
Read ArticleMatrimonialIn a New York divorce, evidence wins arguments. How a licensed private detective documents infidelity, hidden assets, and custody concerns your attorney can use…
Read ArticleMatrimonialThat sick feeling in your gut is worth taking seriously, but what you do next matters more. What to document, what to avoid, and when to bring in a professional…
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Hiring a PINot all investigators are equal, and the wrong one can sink your case. Five things to check on licensing, methods, pricing, and discretion before you hire…
Read ArticleBackground ChecksOne bad hire can cost a business far more than a salary. What a real pre-employment background check covers and why it beats cheap online lookups…
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OverseasSome cases don't stop at the border. How international asset searches, overseas due diligence, and missing persons work abroad actually gets done…
Read ArticlePolygraphVoice stress analysis promises answers from the sound of a voice alone. Here is how it works, how it compares to a polygraph, and where it falls short…
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