FREQUENTLY
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| Frequently asked questions about Locate101.com and Landmark Investigators |
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DO YOU SELL PRIVATE INFORMATION, SUCH AS UNLISTED PHONE NUMBERS? |
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Landmark received a Massachusetts Private Detectives License to operate in 1988. The firm has operated continuously since that time with it's present ownership and management. |
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Landmark is licensed, bonded and insured with general liability and errors and omissions coverage. We also have a separate policy on our bodyguards and security personnel. |
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The information we provide can be used for stalking or harassing an individual. We require registration to insure that the information we provide is used for proper and legal use only. Your registration information would be turned over to the proper authorities if any harm came to the individual for which a FirstSearch had been ordered. |
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The information you provide is stored on a secure server at our main office. Only one employee has the password for this server. This employee is the custodian of your personal information. She has the responsibility to insure that this information is never shared with anyone under any circumstances. As noted above we would only provide the proper authorities with your information if in fact a crime had been committed against a person that you had run a search on and that those authorities had identified you as a suspect in this crime. |
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Do you sell private information, such as unlisted phone numbers? |
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We provide public records only. We do not sell private information. We do however provide some private information, such as credit reports to individuals and corporations that have provided us with a proper release form signed by the subject of a particular search. An instance where this might occur would be when a prospective employee signs a release for the hiring company to check his or her credit, driving records and general character. |
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Most states have defined what public records are by statute: "Public records" includes any writing containing information relating to the conduct of the public's business prepared, owned, used, or retained by any state or local agency regardless of physical form or characteristics. "Public records" in the custody of, or maintained by, the governor's office means any writing prepared on or after January 6, 1975. California Public Records Act - Section 6252 "Public records" means all documents, papers, letters, maps, books, tapes, photographs, films, sound recordings, data processing software, or other material regardless of the physical form, characteristics, or means of transmission, made or received pursuant to law or ordinance or in connection with the transaction of official business by any agency. This may differ from your States Law. It is a general meaning of the term "Public record". |
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All reports are delivered with 24 hours with the exception of criminal records which are done on site at the courthouse and can take up to 7 days, but are usually returned in 48 hours. Driving records are retrieved directly from the Department of Motor Vehicles and can sometimes take 2 to 3 days, but are usually returned in 24 hours. |
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It is always a good idea to consult with an Attorney prior to retaining the services of a Private Investigator. Many Attorney's have an Investigator that they regularly use, but would have no problem with you suggesting a firm like Landmark to handle that part of your case. In circumstances where you would like someone followed for a few days, such as an employee or spouse, it is OK to consult with a Detective Agency as most good agencies would know the local laws pertaining to this type of investigation. Be sure to do your homework. Approach the hiring of a detective the same way you would if you were going to hire a doctor to do open heart surgery. You would not let an inexperienced doctor cut you open and you should not let an inexperienced detective investigate vital matters that pertain to your well being. Check with the licensing body first, in our case we are licensed by The Massachusetts State Police, ask how long the agency has been licensed and ask if there are any complaints on file. When you are satisfied that this is a reputable agency, call and ask for a consultation. Most agencies will not charge for your initial consultation. Listen to what the detective has to say about your case and be sure it makes sense. Remember you are under no obligation to hire this detective from the initial consultation. Ask for the background of the detective that will be working on your case. Ask for specific prices, including the hourly rate (usually between $50 and $100.) and what expenses you will be responsible for. If you decide to hire the agency ask them to put everything you have agreed on in writing. |