Law

What Can Private Investigators Legally Do in Australia | 7 Things You Need to Know

You may be wondering, are private investigators you see in TV the same that you’ll be working with? The answer is yes and no. While they may engage in some of the same activities, there are also several things that private investigators cannot do.

Yes, even as private investigators, they are not given the authority to break the law. So if you’re hiring a private investigator in Australia, there are some things that they may not be able to do for you.

In this article, we’ll be discussing what private investigators can and cannot do in Australia so you have a better understanding of what to expect from them.

What Private Investigator Can Do

1. They Can Conduct Surveillance

WRG a Townsville law firm states that this is one of the most common activities that private investigators conduct. Surveillance can be defined as monitoring someone’s activities from a distance. Private investigators will use this tactic to follow and document an individual’s movements.

This is often done to catch cheating spouses or track the whereabouts of a person of interest. Surveillance can also be used to monitor an employee’s activities if there are suspicions of them stealing from the company.

2. They Can Conduct Background Checks

Another common activity that private investigators engage in is conducting background checks. This is often done for companies who are looking to hire new employees.

A background check will usually involve looking into an individual’s criminal history, employment history, and educational background. This is done to ensure that the person is qualified for the position and to also check for any red flags that may be present.

Background checks can also be done on individuals who are being considered for a promotion or a raise. This is to ensure that there are no skeletons in their closet that could potentially damage the company’s reputation.

3. They Can Locate People

Private investigators are also often hired to locate people. This can be done for a variety of reasons such as finding a long-lost relative or locating a witness for a court case.

Private investigators have access to databases that the general public does not have access to. This, coupled with their investigative skills, makes them the perfect candidate for locating people.

4. They Can Serve Legal Documents

Private investigators are also often hired to serve legal documents. This can include things like summons, subpoenas, and eviction notices.

This is a relatively simple task but it is one that private investigators are often hired to do. This is because they are considered to be neutral third-parties and are less likely to be met with resistance when serving legal documents.

5. They Can Look at Public Records

Private investigators also have the ability to look at public records. This can include things like birth certificates, marriage licenses, and property records.

This is often done when conducting background checks or when looking for someone. Public records can provide a wealth of information that can be helpful in an investigation. Usually, this is only done when all other avenues have been exhausted.

6. They Can Provide Security Services

Private investigators can also provide security services. This can include things like bodyguard services, event security, and executive protection.

Private investigators are often hired to provide security for high-profile individuals or for events that are likely to attract a lot of attention. This is because they have the training and experience to deal with potentially volatile situations.

What Private Investigators Cannot Do

1. They Cannot Hack Into Computers

Private investigators cannot hack into computers or other electronic devices. This includes things like email accounts, social media accounts, and phone records.

This is a common misconception about private investigators. While they do have some hacking skills, they cannot legally use them to obtain information. If a private investigator is caught hacking into an account, they could face serious legal repercussions.

2. They Cannot Bribe People

Private investigators also cannot bribe people for information. This is a common tactic in movies and television shows but it is not something that private investigators can do in real life.

Bribing people for information is illegal and it would damage the reputation of the private investigator. If you are considering hiring a private investigator, make sure that they are willing to work within the bounds of the law.

3. They Cannot Threaten People

Private investigators also cannot threaten people in order to get information from them. This is a common tactic in movies and television shows but it is not something that private investigators can do in real life.

Threatening people is illegal and it would damage the reputation of the private investigator. If you are considering hiring a private investigator, make sure that they are willing to work within the bounds of the law.

4. They Cannot Hack Into Phone Records

Private investigators also cannot hack into phone records. This includes things like call logs, text messages, and voicemails.

Hacking into phone records is illegal and it would damage the reputation of the private investigator. If you are considering hiring a private investigator, make sure that they are willing to work within the bounds of the law.

5. They Cannot impersonate Law Enforcement Officers

Private investigators also cannot impersonate law enforcement officers. This includes things like wearing a badge or carrying a gun.

Doing so would be considered illegal and it would damage the reputation of the private investigator. If you are considering hiring a private investigator, make sure that they are willing to work within the bounds of the law.

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