FAQ

What do I need to do for you to begin an investigation for me?

Before we begin an investigation, we require our clients to enter into a contract for service. Once signed, you may mail, fax, or email the contract. To expedite the investigation it is best to either fax or email the signed contract. Magnum Investigations requires a retainer before we will begin any investigation and investigative services are billed against the retainer.

How much can I expect to spend on my investigation?

Our rates will usually be higher than our competition; however our services and results are unmatched.  There is an extremely high Demand for our services, so if you are looking for the best Investigative Agency you must expect to pay more for obvious reasons.  An old saying goes something like this… “you will get what you pay for”.  So if you are looking for the cheapest rates then we are not the company for you.  However if you are looking for the highest degree of successful results then Magnum Investigations is Your Information Solution!

How long will the investigation take?

A lot depends on the type of investigation as well as the duration of the investigation. However, there is no real way of determining how long an investigation will take. Some cases could take a few hours, while others could take significantly longer. During the FREE 1/2-Hour telephone consultation we will be able to establish a better idea about how long your investigation might take.

Do you accept credit cards?

Yes; we accept Visa, MasterCard, and Discover. However, having an “investigation company” appearing on a credit card statement could jeopardize the investigation via alerting a spouse that you have retained our services.

What forms of payment do you accept?

We accept Cash, Credit Cards (Visa, MasterCard, Discover) and Bank-wire transfers.  We do not accept any form of checks or money orders.

Do you require a retainer?

Yes, a retainer fee is required on all cases and all charges will be billed against the retainer. A retainer is a portion of what the estimated total of the investigation will be. Upon completion of the investigation you will be advised of the outstanding balance. The investigative findings will be released upon receipt of all outstanding balances.

What type of services does Magnum Investigations not provide?

  • We do not provide you with an individual’s Social Security Number, although we do provide Social Security Verification for Pre-employment background checks. We also can provide Social Security numbers to your attorney for court purposes only.
  • We do not provide Credit reports unless there is a judgment issued.
  • We will not solely provide motor vehicle registration information. However, we will release such information if it is related to an on-going investigation and meets other requirements. This information can be provided to your attorney for court purposes.
  • We will not provide you with a physical copy of a criminal history, however we will verbally provide you with the results and provide all physical copies to your attorney.
  • Cell Phone Records- it is a Federal Felony Offense to obtain or attempt to obtain Cell Phone Records so don’t even bother asking us!

What do you Specialize in?

We specialize in Cheating Spouse Investigations and Child Custody Investigations. We handle the most difficult of cases especially those cases where a client had a bad experience with another agency getting “caught”. If you are worried about your spouse “catching” the investigator and learning that he is being followed then you are wise. We utilize the latest techniques and strategies to greatly minimize the likelihood of that happening. If you think your case is difficult and are concerened about the investigator being caught then Magnum Investigations is Your Information Solution.

Are you licensed and insured?

Yes, Magnum Investigations, LLC is Licensed, Bonded, and Fully Insured.

What States are you licensed and bonded in?

We are licensed, Bonded, and Fully Insured in New Jersey and Pennsylvania. We also have affiliates throughout the country and provide services to every state.

Will a court of law recognize the information that you provide me?

Yes. We are bonded by the state of New Jersey and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and our investigative services are legally admissible in a court of law; the courts recognize licensed private investigators as a neutral party. We also provide Courtroom testimony services as well as Expert Testimony.

How quickly can you begin the investigation?

Once we receive a signed contract along with the required retainer we will begin the investigation as soon as possible.

Are your investigations confidential?

Yes, extremely! We keep every investigation strictly confidential and we don’t share any case information with anyone. We conduct our investigations in a very discreet and inconspicuous fashion. Even your initial telephone call is confidential even if you decide not to retain our services. We are bound by contract to keep your investigation confidential. Some companies sell personal information; We Do Not!.

Will you provide me with a report of your findings?

We provide every client with a detailed report as well as any video/audio tapes, photographs, diagrams, and any other documents that might apply unless you opt-out.

Will anyone find out that I hired you?

We make every effort to keep every investigation extremely confidential. When conducting surveillance operation, we are very discreet and professional.

Are your prices competitive?

Our rates will usually be definitely be higher than our competition because we are the best in the business;.  There is such a high Demand for our Services and many lawyers refer their clients to us all for good reason; because we provide results without getting caught.  however our services and results are unmatched.  Magnum Investigations has been around virtually longer than any other Investigations Company in the area and we have an extremely high rate of success.  You will pay more for our expertise and experience.  Hiring a company just because they are cheap will likely result in unsuccessful results in which you will live to regret.  Therefore allow Magnum to be your Information Solution.

Do you provide services for private citizens?

The majority of our work Is for Private Citizens; we also offer services to Attorneys.

How much does it cost to hire a private investigator in NJ?

For surveillance, the cost depends on several factors such as the success rate of the company you hire, the type of case (cheating vs. alimony), the number of detectives working on the case, and travel expenses. On average, an experienced NJ private investigator charges between $100-$450 per hour. Our company requires a retainer, which we draw from our hourly rate, and our clients must cover charges we incur during the investigation such as mileage, tolls, and other expenses.

What can a NJ private investigator legally do?

Unlike exaggerations in film portrayals, a private investigator is a citizen who must follow local and federal laws. They cannot trespass on private property, access private financial records, or tap phones to record conversations. However, one distinct advantage is a licensed detective can follow an individual on public property without being subject to stalking/harassment laws. A private investigator may also retrieve public domain information, testify as an expert, and present legally admissible evidence in a court case.

Is it worth it to hire a private investigator?

This is a highly personal question that you must consider. In our professional experience, the stress of not knowing the truth and attempting to uncover it on your own weighs heavily on your mind for days, weeks, or even years. Getting undeniable evidence with an expert’s help allows you to come to terms with the truth and move forward with your life. In alimony and child custody cases, video/photographic surveillance is crucial to achieving an outcome that saves you money in the long-term and keeps your son or daughter in the best environment. These are hard to put a price on.

How do you become a private investigator in NJ?

To obtain a license, one needs a minimum of five years of experience as an investigator or a police officer. A degree in criminal justice and/or similar fields is highly recommended/encouraged. An investigator must be fingerprinted and pass a background check and should be insured as well.

Can a private investigator carry a gun in NJ?

Private Investigators are subject to the same laws as private citizens. While one’s first instincts are to picture PIs as depicted via fictional entertainment, the reality is less dramatic and more functional.

Can private investigators take photos?

Investigators can take photos and video. However, the caveat or limitation of said privacy is that those photos/video need to occur in a public setting and therefore not impede on someone’s privacy.

Can private investigators spy on cell phones?

The short answer to the cellphone spying question is that in most cases no. However, in regards to recording audio, it may be possible, depending on the state’s law.

How long does a private investigation take?

Every case is different and for that reason there is no way to pre-determine how long a case will take. With that being said, cheating investigations generally take no more than five attempts. Our experience allows us to be as efficient as possible. Some solutions are simple and can be resolved quickly, while others are more complex. It’s not about the speed of the process; rather, the quality of the results.

Who uses private investigators?

A common characteristic of our clients is individuals in need of, answers, clarity, and peace of mind. People, who are frustrated in their attempt to find the truth, will seek the professional assistance of a private investigator.

Can a private investigator put a tracking device on your car?

Laws have not caught up with technology. There is case law, however, that essentially implies that despite a vehicle being in one party’s name, that all vehicles are considered joint marital property and therefore there is no expectation of privacy.

Can private investigators follow you?

Similar to previous answers, when it comes to following someone, the crucial component is that it occurs in public or quasi-public places and the investigator doesn’t break laws such as trespassing or impede on the individual’s rights.

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IMPORTANT: There are many companies offering Investigative Services who are NOT Licensed Investigators and are therefore operating illegally. Therefore be careful and demand that the company provide you with their License Number and then verify it through New Jersey at (609) 633-9352 or New York at (212) 417-5800; in PA you must contact the Clerk of Courts in the County where the company claims to be located.

A photo of a cheating spouse captured by Magnum Investigations private investigator serving NJ and PA.

Cheating Spouse

Surveillance specialists trained to remain undetected.

If you hire a private investigator to catch your cheating spouse, you can’t afford for the investigator to get caught. Most other companies are one-man operations and generally get caught.

Child laying on couch

Child Custody

A 92% success rate with child custody investigations.

The combination of Law Enforcement background, understanding of case law, Specialized Surveillance Skills, compassion and understanding of the emotions that the client is dealing with is a recipe for success that no other company has.

Private detective conducting surveillance in his car

Alimony/Co-habitation

Why pay your ex alimony if she/he is living with a new partner?

Those who invest in a Private Investigator for Alimony usually end up saving tens, and sometimes hundreds of thousands of dollars with an Alimony Reduction or a Revocation as a result of our co-habitation investigations.

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5 Tips Hiring Private Investigator Cover

5 Tips When Hiring a Private Investigator

As the owner of a 15+ year old investigation agency, these are my 5 best tips for someone considering video surveillance.

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