ComplaintsforPredator Investigations

• Initial Complaint

  04/14/2022

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  Negotiated one time fee of ****** for one hour of documented search for use in a courtroom setting as evidence for a reasonable search for my spouse. Predator investigations agreed. I received an unusable email of information found in the search without any dates or specifics that could be used for follow up confirmation by me or the court case. I contacted Predator investigations for a usable court document as we had agreed. I payed the fee and only wanted what I had asked for. The agent, *********************, PI license #******, responded by demanding more fees which violated our agreement. I communicated that I only want what I payed for which was a documented search for my spouse to be used in court for evidence of reasonable search. The final communication I received from *********** was an unusable document that included his personal opinion of me, that would unfairly bias the court in my case. Out of a 11 paragraph document 5 of the paragraphs were derogatory towards me, complaints of not being paid enough for the search and his personal opinion of my character in a negative light. The only relevant information **** provided was an address for mailing my spouse and the search of death a property taxes and death reports. I informed **** the document was unusable and inappropriate, I could not use this in court. He violated our agreement by including his bias and personal opinions rather than the facts of the investigation I paid him for. He did not respond and has been refusing to take my calls. I would like an apology and a refund so I can pay a new investigator to do a professional search that can be used in court. Thank You.

  Business response

  04/14/2022

  Upon further review, I provide the following in response to the customer complaint:
  
  The customer mischaracterizes the nature and extent of the work that was to be performed.  The client contacted me on or about April 1, ************************** locating her spouse pursuant to a divorce action.  The hourly rate for my services is $125.00 plus taxes and associated fees.  It typically costs hundreds or even thousands of dollars to investigate and locate a missing person.  However, the client was unable or unwilling to pay for more than one hour of service.  For $150.00 the customer and I agreed that I would perform a basic computer search to see what (if anything) would show up regarding her husband's physical location. At the outset, the client was informed that this fee only covered the search, not the drafting and production of a report.  The electronic search took more than one hour, but in an attempt to help the client, I did not charge her for the extra time and I provided the information I discovered via email per our agreement and considered the matter closed.  The email contained specifics regarding her spouse.  Nevertheless, the client continued to insist that I provide a written report at no additional charge.
  
  In order to appease the client, I provided a written, signed report without being paid for my time.  In the report, I included the relevant facts and circumstances of my investigation which included statements the client made and disclosed the limited scope of the investigation.  The choice on whether or not to submit the report to the court lies solely with the client. None of the correspondence provided by the complainant mentions the need for an affidavit or any other sworn statement. Moreover, I have not failed to take or receive calls from the client.  Since the requested service (to include a written report) was provided, there are no grounds for a refund and no apology is warranted.  

  Customer response

  04/17/2022

  Complaint: 16990968
  
  I am rejecting this response because :In every communication I had with the investigator I said very clearly I needed a documented search to provide the court. I used the words " affidavit" , " court usable Dcoument", and "affidavit of due diulligence", " judge required a documented search" , and The investigator assured me he could provide a document to be used in court for a documented search for the ****** we agreed on. The responses I received from the investigator were beyond unprofessional and unusable in court, He did not full fill our agreement. He has not responded to my email or my phone calls as he claims. I provided evidence in both the letter you sent to me and in our text message correspondence. Please provide evidence that you fulfilled our agreement. I have already provided evidence that you have not, and My credit card company is agreeing. 
  
  Regards,
  
  ***************************

  Business response

  04/18/2022

  I never agreed to do either a report or affidavit. When an agreement was reached, it was for one hour of my time for the results, if any, of a basic computer search.
  
  After reviewing all of the texts and emails in this matter, the word, "affidavit" does not appear anywhere. Nor was the requirement of an affidavit ever discussed. Moreover, the evidence submitted by the client references the word, "report," but only after she deviated from the terms of our agreement. In fact, she thanked me for the report in an email. 
  
  I have been an investigator for 12 years and my reports, in the very format submitted to the client, have been successfully submitted into evidence from small claims to federal courts.
  
  The entire point of the report was to document what actions were undertaken to locate the client's missing spouse. Unfortunately, a one hour basic computer search, without additional investigation, does not constitute due diligence for service of process.  Any report to which I am a signatory must be truthful, must explain exactly what happened, and it must contain sufficient detail in order for a judge to render a decision. Based upon my years of experience, statements made by the client, and the totality of the circumstances, it is my expert opinion that the court will determine if due process of law is met based upon the sufficiency of the search for the client's missing spouse. If the nature of my investigation is misconstrued or misrepresented, the client's husband could end up forfeiting his rights to due process and could end up with a default judgment in a lawsuit. Such judicial action would be based in whole or in significant part on the report I drafted so it was imperative that my report contain all facts relevant to the search for the client's spouse. 
  
  I have not refused to take calls or respond to texts or emails from the client.
  
  Not only have I fulfilled the terms of the agreement, I went above and beyond. The client received further investigative services (extra hours) at no additional charge. Furthermore, she received a report that documents the true facts and circumstances related to the search I conducted.
  

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