Frequently Asked Questions

WHAT'S THE NEXT STEP?

Chicago Intel Agency, Ltd. offers a one-on-one consultation with an experienced investigator at no cost to you.

You have the options of:

• Meeting us at our office
• Meet at a location of your choice
• Telephone consultation
  
  

The investigator will discuss your options and answer your questions. We will ask relevant questions, and explain in detail the proper steps and fees needed to retain us for your investigative needs.

• WHY SHOULD I USE YOUR AGENCY TO CONDUCT MY CASE?

Chicago Intel Agency, Ltd. investigators have been conducting professional investigations and surveillance worldwide for approximately 20 years. We are a full service, fully staffed agency operating 24 hours a day. The agency is licensed and insured. We utilize experienced investigators with diverse backgrounds. We use state of the art techniques and equipment.

• HOW MUCH WILL THE INVESTIGATION COST?

Every case is different. There are many variables involved in each case. Determining the fee for a particular investigation is estimated after the free consultation. After we understand your particular situation, ask you some relevant questions, and understand your goals we will be able to give you a quote. We aim to accommodate all of our clients and their budgets. There are many affordable options.

• WHEN WILL MY INVESTIGATION BEGIN?

Once you have decided to retain Chicago Intel Agency, Ltd, your case will start immediately.

• WHO WILL BE WORKING ON MY CASE?

Our staff is comprised of experienced investigators with different specialties and backgrounds that include  investigators with in-depth knowledge of investigative procedure and skill. It is a collaborative effort and we will utilize as many investigators and techniques that are needed to solve your case and produce the desired results.

• DO I GET UPDATES OR REPORTS SO I KNOW WHAT IS GOING ON WITH MY CASE?

We maintain close contact with our clients at their discretion. We provide frequent status reports and there are live investigators working 24 hours a day that you will have access to. They will assist you at your convenience.

After your case is completed you will be provided with a final report of investigation, which is a detailed report that contains all the pertinent evidence and information that has been uncovered for your case. We prepare the reports in an evidentiary manner for use in court if needed. You will also receive copies of all materials, video, and pictures that have been obtained. The originals will be securely stored at our office for 3 years (chain of custody), at which point they will be returned to you.

• WHERE CAN CHICAGO INTEL AGENCY, LTD. CONDUCT INVESTIGATIONS AND SURVEILLANCE?

We have extensive experience conducting investigations throughout the world. We have built a network of international contacts and affiliates. We will leverage those resources in any legal and moral way possible to conclude your investigation in a satisfactory manner.

• WILL I GET PICTURES AND/OR VIDEO?

Pictures and video are considered physical evidence. Chicago Intel Agency, Ltd. will attempt to provide you with as much physical evidence combined with eyewitness testimonies. While most clients desire photos, pictures or videos, any of the three will offer the necessary evidence you need to prove your case. Chicago Intel Agency, Ltd. will make every effort possible to obtain evidentiary video/photographs but we never compromise the integrity of the case, which is paramount.

• CAN YOU GUARANTEE THE RESULTS?

Unfortunately, there is no agency that can guarantee results and it is illegal for us to do so as per our licensing laws. It is impossible to predict what any investigation will uncover prior to immersing ourselves into the case. Any agency making claims of guaranteeing results is not being straightforward with you. We make every effort and utilize all of our experience and resources to solve your case.

• I TRIED TO DO THE INVESTIGATION MYSELF. CAN YOU HELP ME NOW?

Unfortunately, some people try to do their own investigations. Some people may not understand that it takes many years of experience and practical application to become a proficient investigator. It is also legal for a licensed agency to conduct investigations but a regular person may be breaking the law if they try to be their own investigator and any information they obtain might not only be useless but can result in it being used against them. Certain states have stalking laws that can results in criminal charges if you perform your own case. If you try to be your own investigator you may compromise your investigation making it more difficult and more expensive once you decide to opt for a professional agency to take it on. It is better to invest the money with a reputable agency that specializes in matrimonial/domestic cases and have it done right the first time. In most cases judges will dismiss any evidence that is provided by you, a friend or someone directly related to you. The judge will hold a lot more weight to evidence that is gathered by a non-biased, experienced, licensed private investigator.

• MY ATTORNEY SAYS I DON'T NEED AN INVESTIGATOR. CAN HE HANDLE EVERYTHING?

There are times when you don't need the services of a private investigator. However if you suspect your partner is cheating you need evidence to prove it. Attorneys are not investigators and do not gather evidence. They simply present the evidence that you collect in court. When one party of a civil domestic suit has evidence collected by an unbiased licensed private investigator it removes the "he said" "she said" out of the court room. This generally will make an out of court settlement more likely and save you a considerable amount of time and money. We would never conduct an investigation that we know would not be beneficial to your case. If you need help in determining if our services will benefit you, a consultation is the best way to find out.

• CAN YOU REFER AN ATTORNEY TO ME?

Yes. Chicago Intel Agency, Ltd. works with a great deal of attorneys specializing in every aspect of law. Contact us for more information.

• CAN I TAPE CONVERSATIONS? CAN YOU TAP MY PHONE?

Generally, it is illegal to tape conversations in Illinois. In some states you can tape your conversation with another person without their knowledge (1 party consent). Illinois is a 2 party consent State which means you have to have consent of both parties for it to be legal and admissible in court (even then, documentation such as a signed written consent form should be obtained from both parties). In all states it is illegal to tap a phone or intercept a conversation between two other people when you are not a party to that conversation.

• WHAT IF MY SPOUSE/PARTNER LEAVES THE STATE OR COUNTRY?

Most states have reciprocal agreements allowing private investigators to follow individuals in another state as long as the case originated in the investigator's home state and the investigation does not continue" prolonged" in another state. When your spouse/partner leaves the state we have the ability to handle your investigation no matter where your partner travels to throughout the world.

• WHAT IF YOU LOSE THE PERSON YOU ARE FOLLOWING WHILE ON SURVEILLANCE?

Being proficient in surveillance takes years of practical application and extensive training. Conducting a moving surveillance on any subject (person) can be difficult. With the many thousands of hours of surveillance that we perform each year, every single surveillance differs. Even the most experienced surveillance agent can get into a situation where contact with the subject may be broken due to circumstances beyond our control. What separates us is our ability to adjust and adapt to the given situation combined with our training and experience.

There may also be occasions where the surveillance agent will discontinue surveillance on the subject if the agent feels the subject is "hot" or "looking over their shoulder" to see if they are being followed. Our experienced surveillance agents will never try to compromise the integrity of your case. We can always resume at another time.

• CAN ONE OF MY FAMILY MEMBERS OR FRIENDS DO THE SURVEILLANCE?

Family members and/or friends can't conduct surveillance or investigations in most states. It is illegal for anyone to conduct surveillance or investigations in most states without a private investigations license (including Illinois). There is also a chance that they could be arrested for stalking in some states as well. Most courts frown upon family members and friends conducting surveillance or investigations. Also, any evidence gained during the investigation will be suspect in court due to the friend/family members' possible lack of training, knowledge and personal involvement.

• DO I ALREADY HAVE ENOUGH TO PROVE THAT MY SPOUSE/PARTNER IS CHEATING?

Many times clients believe that they already have enough to prove that their partner is cheating. Unfortunately most of the time you may have enough to prove in your mind that they are cheating, but not enough to prove it in court. If you're not sure if you have enough evidence to prove your spouse is committing adultery, please contact us for a consultation.

• I PREVIOUSLY CONFRONTED MY PARTNER AND ACCUSED THEM, OR TOLD THEM I BELIEVE THEY MAY BE CHEATING. CAN YOU STILL HANDLE THE INVESTIGATION & SURVEILLANCE?

We never advise a client to confront their partner with any ideas, intuition, or evidence until the proper evidence has been gathered to prove the case. However we are human and sometimes our emotions get the best of us. This situation exists and you are not the only person to have confronted their partner before they should have. There are methods that can be used and the case can still be conducted by a professional agency. We will discuss your options during your free consultation.

• I THINK MY SPOUSE/PARTNER IS LISTENING TO MY CALLS OR TAPING ME, CAN YOU HELP?

Chicago Intel Agency, Ltd. has experienced technicians with experience in (TSCM) Technical Surveillance Counter Measures. Our inventory consists of state of the art equipment for all "counter measure" situations. We will come to your location in question and do a full TSCM survey, checking for any kind of covert eavesdropping devices and techniques, including wireless, hardwired, telephonic and video transmission.

With the availability of the Internet also comes the availability for someone to purchase tapping/ bugging/eavesdropping/video devices from other countries. With the vast amount of equipment that is available for purchase, the only way to combat and secure against these threats is to have a professional TSCM survey completed.
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Smartphones can be hacked (jail broken for iPhones and rooted for Android). Once hacked, one can install spyware on your phone which may remotely turn on your audio speaker, thus allowing remote listening to your conversations. Additionally, GPS tracking of your every movement, password retrieval and copying, stored photographs and video copied and having malicious Trojans installed on your phone are a few common issues. Chicago Intel Agency, Ltd., has the technology and experience to determine if your smartphone has been hacked and what software was installed behind your back.

• MY SPOUSE RECEIVES A LOT OF E-MAILS AND CALLS BOTH AT HOME AND WHILE AWAY. IS THERE ANY WAY TO TRACK WHO HE MAY BE TALKING TO?

Yes. Through legal means, it is possible to track back an e-mail to its' original sender. Landline phones are traced at a 95% success rate. Cell phones are traced at a 85% success rate. Beware of those pesky pre-paid phones. They are very hard to trace as there is no subscriber information stored with a provider.

Additionally, Chicago Intel Agency, Ltd. conducts many computer investigations where deleted items such as e-mails, photos, web sites and passwords are retrieved. Social media has immersed itself into our daily lives. Being able to protect yourself, your identity and your privacy are currently at the forefront of privacy legislation in Washington D.C. We specialize in conducting in-depth investigations into cyber-stalking, bullying, identity theft and general mischief.

• MY SPOUSE/PARTNER CAN BE VIOLENT; DO YOU OFFER ANY TYPE OF PROTECTION?

Chicago Intel Agency, Ltd. contracts with reputable and experienced armed bodyguards to protect you and your loved ones. With the use of our vast array of legal contacts, Chicago Intel Agency, Ltd. can guide you to obtain legal protection through the court system as well.

• WHAT TYPES OF EQUIPMENT DO YOU USE DURING YOUR INVESTIGATIONS?

Chicago Intel Agency, Ltd. invests a good amount of money each year to maintain an up-to-date level for all of our training, equipment, resources, and databases to provide you with the best service possible. Since all cases are different, Chicago Intel Agency, Ltd. is fully prepared for any situation with state of the art equipment needed for your case.

• HOW WILL THE EVIDENCE HELP ME WITH MY DIVORCE OR CHILD CUSTODY CASE?

Illinois is a "no fault" state. This means the courts may not determine child support, child custody or property/asset allocation, based on wrong doings by one spouse or another. However, judges are human. When an attorney tactfully presents our evidence in court, the Judge will have no option but to hear and see that evidence. The judge will not allow the admittance of this evidence but the seed has been planted. No person can completely erase what he/she just saw and heard. It, quite possibly, will have a bearing on the outcome of the case.