Cheating Spouse Investigations FAQ's
What if I'm embarrassed to talk to someone about this?
We get calls every day from individuals in a relationship who believe that their spouse or partners are cheating. There is nothing to be ashamed of, you are simply seeking peace of mind and a definitive answer to your doubts. It is perfectly natural to have a desire to find out if your suspicions are imaginary or real. We invest a lot of ourselves into our relationships – it is normal to want to test the integrity and strength of that relationship.
What if I happen to be wrong?
If we show that there is no evidence that your spouse/partner is cheating, then you will have the peace of mind of knowing that your relationship with your spouse or significant other is intact. Since all of our investigations are completely confidential, your partner does not ever need to know that you doubted their fidelity or that you hired John Cutter Investigations to find out the truth.
Is cheating spouse surveillance legal?
Surveillance is simply the process of documenting what is going on in the world of a person. We are licensed, bonded and insured private investigators in the states of New York, Connecticut, New Jersey, and Florida, and we are careful to adhere to each states' laws governing surveillance procedures.
I have never hired a private investigator before, how do I begin?
You will need to ensure that the services that you retain are honest, and that you are dealing with a reputable detective agency. Ensure that they have a well-established track record. Be sure that they are completely licensed, as well as insured. You can check with the Better Business Bureau to ensure that the company doesn't have any complaints. Finally, be sure that you are making this decision with your better judgment. Do you feel at ease and comfortable, or is the investigation agency using pressure tactics and hard-sell techniques to get you to buy something that you don't need?
What are the fees that are charged for domestic surveillance?
Surveillance is normally billed on an hourly basis. Before surveillance is started, we will help to establish a strategy that depends on your needs and circumstances. Once the plan has been established, a budget will be created. Many investigative services are payable in advance of the type of work being conducted. Payment can often be made by cash, money order, or credit card.
How do you establish a surveillance plan?
You will need to inform our private investigator of what times you believe that the activity is taking place. We will then need to follow the person from point A to point B (i.e. from home to work). Does the individual have a fixed schedule? Do you know a lot about the daily routine of the suspected person? All of these questions and much more will go into creating a surveillance strategy plan that is effective. At John Cutter Investigations, we work closely with each client to establish a plan that will deliver the results that they are seeking in the most efficient way possible.
What details must I inform my private investigator about?
The more information you can provide your investigator about your partner's habits and lifestyle, the more efficient our investigation will be. Your assigned private detective will need a photograph of the person who is to be the subject of surveillance. If the person is being followed from their home, it is best to have photographs of everyone in the household. We will need to have a full description of the subject, including their height, weight, hair color, etc. If you believe that you know who the subject is cheating with, it would be helpful to give us any information that you have on that individual. In addition to the individuals' physical description, it is helpful to know the make, model, and color of the individual's vehicle, with the license plate if it is possible. Information about the logistics of their daily life will also help our investigators, for example, if we will be following them from work, the knowing the type parking and where they typically park their vehicle, their driving habits, and any addresses of where they may go in an average day will greatly help us establish patterns of behavior that will inform our findings.
How many investigators are used during a cheating spouse surveillance case?
The number of investigators that are used will depend on a variety of factors. Normal surveillance on a person that is being pursued from an easy working situation and/or from home can be done by a single investigator. Complicated plans such as following an individual from an airport, hotel, or large office building may require additional investigators to make sure that we document every aspect of their behavior. There are other factors that we recommend having an additional investigator for, such as fast and aggressive drivers, extra cautious drivers that constantly check their rear view mirror, and odd working hours. The more information that you can provide us about your partner's life, the more accurately we can craft a strategy that will work with your budget and timeline needs.
How are you able to contact me without letting my spouse know?
We will first ask if you have a secure phone number, meaning that only you or someone that you trust will be able to answer the phone, and if we are able to safely leave a voicemail if no one answers. If the number isn't secure, we can discuss other strategies. When we contact you, we will ask if it is a good time to talk. If the subject or someone else is present, and you are unable to talk, you can always say that we have the wrong number or use a code word. We will hang up and then you can call us back when it is safe to talk. We take your personal safety very seriously, and we will make every effort to ensure that your privacy is protected.
What do I do once the surveillance is set in motion?
Once the surveillance plan is in motion, it is very important that you do not do anything that could tip off the subject to the investigation. Don't change any of your habits, and don't ask them about their activities too much. Rest easy in knowing that we are gathering the answers you seek.
How do you follow an individual?
Tailing techniques are an acquired skill. When we are following someone, we are always weighing two factors against each other; we want to be able to stay close enough to be sure that we don't lose them in heavy traffic or at a traffic light, while also not staying too close where we may be spotted by the subject. Balancing these factors in a variety of situations can be done only with having experienced cheating spouse investigators working on a case, and should not be attempted without law enforcement training. In some instances, having a second investigator is required or preferable, which would allow our investigators to stay at safer distances while lowering the chance of losing the target.
Will the subject find out that they are under surveillance?
Our investigations are trained to be as inconspicuous and discreet as possible. We do everything within our power to ensure the covert nature of our investigations. If we believe that the secrecy of the investigation is being threatened, we will pull back and reconfigure our strategy to adjust to the new circumstances.
What evidence will I receive at the end of the investigation?
Any evidence that is collected during a domestic surveillance operation may consist of photos or video of your partner's activities, as well as a report of the surveillance which will detail the activity in writing. Both are given to you in full, and we can maintain them for you if you like.
What differentiates John Cutter Investigations from other investigations agencies?
We pride ourselves in being able to deliver the highest quality results. Unlike entry-level investigators who are assigned to cases by other agencies, our investigators have decades of combined experience, are locally based in your community, and have the knowledge to get the job done correctly. We provide our clients with the highest level of customer service and give every case the individual attention that it takes to fully understand the dynamics of your unique situation. This attention to detail will allow us to create a comprehensive plan of action, targeting the best course to achieve optimal results. We know that each situation is different, and we are flexible enough to gain the information that you need, no matter how difficult or complicated it may be.