New York Private Investigator

Private Investigators in New York

In New York, all private investigators must be licensed through the Department of State, Division of Licensing Services. In order to obtain their license, private investigators must pass New York’s rigorous licensing requirements, including an in-depth background check and finger printing. Applicants must also complete 3 years of paid investigative work prior to qualifying for licensure. New York applicants must pass a written exam and pay all applicable licensing fees. Many private investigators in New York come from military or police backgrounds, though there are alternate forms of experience that are equally desirable.

In the state of New York, like most other states, it is illegal to act as a private investigator without a New York Private Investigator License from the Department of State, Division of Licensing Services. ICS strictly adheres to all federal, state, and local laws, so rest assured that any ICS private investigator assigned to your case will be an authorized subcontractor who is fully licensed, insured, and up to date with all continuing education requirements. At ICS, our New York private investigators meet or exceed all industry standards, providing you with effective and discreet investigative services.

Adultery, Infidelity or Cheating Spouse Investigations

Being the victim of infidelity is never easy, but if you suspect your partner is cheating, you deserve to know the truth. ICS can obtain the proof you need to move forward with your case and protect yourself and your interests from an unfaithful lover. Some common suspicious behaviors amongst cheaters are excessive or secretive computer use, hiding of cell phone and personal finances, working uncharacteristically late or going on business trips at the last minute, lack of, or a sudden increase in sexual appetite, being diagnosed with an STD (even STDs with long incubation periods should be considered suspicious), abnormal activity on the home phone like hang ups when you answer or hang-ups after a specific number of rings, or claiming that a wedding ring has been lost or stolen. If your partner is engaging in these or other suspect activities, contact ICS to begin an investigation today.

Historically, adultery was illegal in New York under the “alienation of affection” law, but legislation has been passed that abolishes this form of litigation. New York was the only state in America that did not offer some form of a “no-fault” divorce, but in late 2010, the state of New York enacted a law that now allows splitting couples to file for divorce without have to prove fault. New York did not abolish at-fault divorces, so divorcees can still claim adultery or emotional abuse as grounds for divorce, but they are held to a burden of proof. There are an average of 57,000 divorces a year in New York, 23% of which are contested, resulting in court appearances to determine fault. Being found at fault during a divorce can have significant impact on distribution of assets and child custody arrangements. If your spouse was cheating during your marriage, you may be entitled to more money during settlement, so it is important to come prepared with enough proof to convince a judge of an extramarital affair. New York is an “equitable distribution” state, which means that New York considers all money earned (excluding gifts and inheritances) between the date of marriage and the date of separation to be community property. If a Private Investigator finds out that your cheating spouse was buying elaborate gifts for their lover, paying their rent, or giving them spending money, you are entitled to reimbursement of those funds under New York law. If your spouse was spending money on someone else, ICS can provide the necessary proof to ensure you get back the money you rightfully deserve. Nationally, 53% of marriages end in divorce, 57% of men and 54% of women admit to cheating in past or current relationships, and the average affair lasts for 2 years. Proof of an affair can be critical during a divorce and in determining child custody.

Even if you aren’t married, a private investigator can reveal invaluable information about the affair, such as the number of additional partners being seen and the amount of money being spent on the affair(s). An investigation with ICS will answer all these questions and more, helping to empower you in this difficult time.

Child Custody, Visitation and Support Investigations

In child custody cases, the primary concern for all parties involved is to protect the welfare of the child. In the state of New York, either the judge presiding over the divorce handles these cases, or a family judge if the parents were never married. When a judge from Family Court Services determines who will receive custody of a child in New York they take several factors into account, including a parent’s ability to provide a loving, clean, safe, and stable environment for the child. If a custody battle ensues in New York, as it often does, a judge will determine custody after both parents have presented their case to the courts. Both parents are considered equally in custody cases, but currently more mothers have full custody than fathers. Every year 50% of parents entitled to child support money never receive the full amount owed to them, with 25% getting no money at all, even though a court has required the other parent to pay. Unfortunately, it can be difficult for the courts to accurately assess a child’s living situation due to limited state and federal funding, and it is impossible for them to follow through on every case.

If you feel your child’s best interests are not being met by your current custody arrangements, or if child support payments aren’t being made, ICS can help provide the proof you need to take your case in front of a judge. In the course of the child custody investigation, ICS might need to speak to friends, family, childcare workers, co-workers and the DHS to get the clearest picture of your child’s welfare. At ICS, we will focus solely on your case, and have access to be the best tools and resources available to provide a thorough, discreet and professional investigation. We can solve your case using surveillance, skip tracing, hidden asset checks, public record searches, undercover investigations, and much more.

Missing Person and Locate Person Investigations

Traditionally, missing persons cases are handled by local law enforcement and the FBI, in collaboration with the AMBER Alert system. In New York, the NYS Division of Justice and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children assist local law enforcement and criminal justice agencies in locating missing persons and identifying unknown persons. New York police advise you to report a missing person immediately; waiting 24 hours could be detrimental to their investigation. In 2010 there were 20,300 missing children reported, with nearly 200 of those being abduction cases and the majority being runaways. Law enforcement institutions can't always help, and often are bound by laws and regulations that may prevent them from even recognizing an individual as a Missing Person. Unfortunately, this is especially true in cases involving missing adults. Many lost person cases simply fall outside the scope of criminal investigations, for instance, if you’re searching for a friend or family member with whom you have lost contact. ICS can help you find someone whether a crime has been committed or not, even if the police have already attempted to solve the case. If you have an unsolved missing person case, or need to locate a lost person in New York ICS can help. If you want to reconnect with a loved one, find your birth parents or locate a debtor/defrauder, contact ICS to begin your investigation today.

New York Background Checks

If you need a background check performed on an individual living in New York, or if you live in New York and need a background check performed out of state, ICS can help. Background checks are one the most common and well known tools a New York private investigator can provide. Often, a background check is the only information a client needs. In cases where a more in-depth investigation is called for, the background check is a great starting point, providing the investigator and client with valuable leads to pursue. If you need a New York background check, or if you have a case involving one, ICS is ready to work for you to provide the discreet and confidential service you need in a delicate and professional manner. ICS has been helping people in New York just like you get results since 1967.

Computer and Cellular Forensics

In an increasingly technological world, it has become more important-and more difficult-to keep your personal information safe. Part of keeping your information safe involves knowing who has been accessing your personal electronic devices, and determining if information has been viewed or copied. ICS can retrieve and analyze data from electronic storage devices, like desktop and laptop computers, network servers, external storage drives, flash drives, digital cameras, smart phones such as the iPhone or Android phones, and more. All data retrieval methods used by ICS are complaint with all federal and New York state laws, so any data recovered will be available to use as evidence. In addition to recovering emails, instant messages, and text messages, ICS also offers virus and spyware detection and removal, pornography detection, email tracing, computer and network intrusion detection and prevention, Internet history evaluation, and hidden files detection. Contact ICS today to ensure that your data and digital devices are safe. ICS can help protect you from the increasing threat of identity theft.

Technical Surveillance Countermeasures

Technical Surveillance Countermeasures are steps taken to detect and prevent unwanted surveillance. Technical surveillance often takes the form of eavesdropping by bugging a house, tapping a phone line, or installing hidden cameras, with the intention of committing corporate espionage, privacy invasion, extortion, identity theft, information theft, or stalking. Being the victim of technical surveillance can endanger your personal safety, and leaves you vulnerable to potential financial damages. To ensure that you haven’t fallen prey to technical surveillance, ICS will perform a technical surveillance countermeasures sweep, which consists of sweeping for bugs, performing a physical and electronic inspection of the area to check for infrared, laser, audio recording, hidden cameras, wireless microphones, radio transmitters, phone taps, GPS tracking, and cell phone interceptors. A technical surveillance countermeasures sweep is not an investigation in itself, but rather is a service offered by ICS; if evidence of illegal surveillance is found, ICS will collaborate with a New York private investigator to report findings and take appropriate action.