Finding a Professional, Avoiding the Amateurs

With demand for Philippines background checks, surveillance and private investigation on the rise in the Philippines, there has been a major increase in the number of providers. Many of these so-called investigators are locals trying to take cash in on the demand, and many clients end up having their money stolen, or receiving unacceptable and reliable work for their money.

The Local Joe vs. the Professional

Selecting a professional private investigator with the proper tools, experience and management team can be a challenge. Fraud and corruption reaches all corners of the Philippines, including many of the operating private investigators. In many cases the local investigator provides unacceptable service, or even no service at all. Other local investigators honestly attempt to do the work, but are not qualified or properly trained.

Sorting through the Mess: A Checklist

1. If it’s too cheap, there’s probably a reason.

If an investigator claims to offer an exceptional service, at a very low price, it’s a safe bet you will get what you pay for. Real, professional investigation can be expensive.

2. Beware of investigators that only accept Western Union.

A real company or professional investigator should have a website where you can submit various forms of payment, including a secure site where you can pay by credit card.

3. Avoid investigators who only accept PayPal.

PayPal is a secure payment option. However, be very skeptical if this is the only way to pay your investigator via a credit card. A real company will offer various forms of payment options, and allow you to submit your credit or debit card data directly via their secure website. A website that only offers PayPal for credit card payments is almost always a clear indication that you are dealing with an individual and not a real company.

4. Is the investigator available for a phone call?

Make sure your investigator is available over the phone. This will show you what kind of service you can expect throughout your case. Avoid any investigator who does not provide an office phone number on his email or website.

5. Use secure websites with privacy seals.

Private investigation can involve details of a very private nature. Look for a PI with a website with privacy seals such as Truste and/or McAfee security. These seals show that the company is serious about protecting your privacy.

6. Do surveillance photos have time-date stamps?

Surveillance photos during any professional investigation will have time-date stamps. This is industry standard and this type of evidence should be included in daily reports to clients.

7. Avoid websites with no business address or phone.

One of the best ways to distinguish the real investigation firm from the local or shady operation is to check the website’s contact us page. A real company has a secure contact us page on their website (with a lock on your browser) with a business address. A real investigator will be happy to provide clients with a business phone where he or she can be reached. If any investigator fails to provide this information, look elsewhere.

8. Avoid investigators with no references.

Before paying for an investigator, search the web for references of the company. This way you can learn what others are saying about the investigator. If there isn’t any feedback on the web, ask the investigator for a former client reference.

9. Avoid investigators who don’t speak proper English.

English is commonly spoken in the Philippines. It is also necessary to conduct a proper investigation there. A PI who doesn’t speak English fluently is unqualified.

10. Avoid websites that look unprofessional.

Inadequate budgets and training for development of the business, which can be perceived when viewing the company website, will likely be reflected in other areas as well, such as reports, surveillance and communication. Pay for quality.

11. Expect to pay a fair price.

Private investigation can be expensive. Instead of trying to save a few bucks by choosing a local or someone unknown, speak with a reputable firm about the best option for you. Choosing a cheap PI may mean money and time lost, so choose carefully.

12. Go with a foreign-based company.

Because of the fraud throughout the Philippines, we recommend using a company that is U.S or European managed or owned. This will ensure the company is ran according to stricter standards, and is accountable for safer business practices.

Keep the above checklist in mind when shopping for a Philippines private investigator  or elsewhere. Philippine PI™, a U.S. based firm with operations throughout the Philippines, contributed to the information in this article.

All the Best,

S. Birch

© 2006-2009 S. Birch

Gifts For Kids

As a online dating webmasters, I get emails asking me how to detect a scammer. It is tough. When a member joins a site, they don’t put in their profile, “hey, I’m joining so I can try to scam money from other members”. Only after they try to commit the scamming deed do we know their true intentions. When that happens, it should be reported to the webmaster.

The following list was my guideline when looking for online dating love. Each person’s judgment varies and ultimately are responsible for their own decisions. The following has no guarantees, but if it works for you so be it.

1. Don’t send money to a person you are getting to know. During the getting to know each other stages, money should not be a topic. My wife never asked me for a dime during our courtship. Only after time invested in getting to know each other and marriage was discussed did we talk about expenses. Major financial decisions should be reserved for when the relationship is beyond the get to know each other stage and is heading for marriage. Only you can decide when that is.

2. Time is your ally. Most scammers do not like to exchange a lot of emails when their main objective is to get money. They want to get as much money in the short amount of time they can. In other words, they usually are not into long courtships, not unless that courtship includes you sending money on a regular basis.

3. Template letters or emails is usually a sign. If an email seems like it could of been copied and pasted to send to anyone, a red flag should be waving in front of your eyes. If they are not at least addressing some identifiable information about you when replying to your email, be careful.

4. Chatting — this is not the case for all, but I have to address it. Most scammers want to get you in an intimate conversation as soon as possible. They love to invite you to chat knowing they can pull at your heart strings in real time and learn if you are a mark or not. Personally, I would want to exchange several emails and even letters before chatting. There may be one exception to this, but I would still limit my time. If I suspected the person’s photo may not be who they say they are, I would want to chat with a webcam, but only do so for 5 or 10 minutes. Again, I’d rather invest time to getting to know each other by email or letter and if the other person is interested in you, they will also want to equally invest their time.

5. Endearments — why would anyone be calling another person, honey, sweetheart, lover, etc, within a few emails or within a short amount of time? First, it is disrespectful. When I was courting my wife and if I would of called her sweetheart after only a few emails she would of walked away. She doesn’t care for that type of arrogance and would take it as an insult to the Filipino culture. Respectful Filipina ladies are aware of the stereotypes and any man who tries to exploit another lady based on misguided cultural believes is not a gentleman. The same goes for ladies. If they are calling you honey, sweetie, etc, within a few emails or while chatting early in a relationship, I would be careful. It is not appropriate or the right time. If you are calling someone sweetheart early on in a relationship and they happen to be a scammer, you just made their job easier. Use words that is appropriate for the relationship stage you are involved in out of respect for their culture and to protect yourself from being a mark for a scammer.

The above is not all inclusive, but may help those who need some guidance. With that said, there are no definitive rules when it comes to love or courtship. Ultimately, common sense needs to prevail and only you can decide what is and what is not appropriate for you. With that said, I still say: don’t fall for any story that sounds too good to be true, don’t send money during the get to know each other stage of a relationship (unless the expense is minor and you decide it is not a financial burden) and let time be your friend. If red flags go off but you are not sure, at least slow down, take your time and get to know each other.

I remember watching a 60 minute show about a guy who was being scammed. He lost everything, even his house. Whatever the girl wanted, he bought. Unlike some, I did not feel sorry for the guy. I sat in wonderment thinking how he could be so stupid. Maybe he could falter one time, but to continue to send money to a lady he never met was financial suicide. He was desperate for love. A recipe for disaster. If you are this desperate for love and your judgment is that poor, do yourself a favor and don’t look for love on the internet.

Where are scammers? — E V E R Y W H E R E. They are on yahoo, youtube, myspace, online dating sites, etc. Even the big boys, like youtube (owned by google), can’t stop them. Instead they ask that members report when a person uses their site inappropriately. On Filipina Lady I ask the same. Any dating site who says they never had a scammer is probably lying or they are super unaware. There are times that members will not report a scammer from embarrassment. It is better to report them. On my site I do ask that you provide some evidence of scamming. I have had people falsely report someone for scamming because they were rejected by that person.

Finding love should not be a fast food mentality. It took me and my wife almost a year before we knew that it was meant to be. Oh sure, my hormones was in high gear, but I knew that true love was about commitment, time and a lifetime of happiness. For me, it worked. Whatever time table you are on may not be the same as mine, but if you think you are in love within a few emails and a couple of chats, you may want to step back and assess your judgment. For me, years later, I’m more in love with my wife than I ever was. I wake up every morning knowing I’m with someone who loves me for me. No doubts, no questions – the love and respect is mutual and will last a lifetime.

Good luck and happy holidays to all.

Philippine women dating for marriage at Filipina dating sites is happened rapidly in recent years. Many Philippine singles found their dream mates at these Filipino dating services. There are no doubt that these dating services are too popular in Philippine and in Western countries such as American, UK, Canada, Australia, and other. There are many Philippine dating sites that offer 100% free dating services for Filipina singles. Filipino women date Philippine singles online is common. There are many Filipina date services create many relationships and marriages a year. It has been said that these Filipino dating websites are popular to the internet singles who seek Philippine love and romance on net. Getting acquainted with someone from a long distance for a love that last a long time is easy and simple. This internet world connects all singles online. Seeking an Filipina date is just a few clicks from your computer. 

There are many Filipino online dating sites have been emerged on the internet in recent years and attract thousands of singles locally and worldwide. Philippine women date Filipina men online is just too easy. Filipino women register their profiles to search for men at these Philippine singles services, so do Filipina men. Filipino dating sites do not cater to the singles in Asia countries but America as well. However, most of Philippine singles from these dating services are Asians or Asian-Americans. Filipina American singles seek their Filipino dates through these online Philippine date services. Filipina singles services are getting more and more popular in the last few years. Your computer is a tool in searching for your Filipino dater. Just a few clicks, you will see thousands of beautiful Philippine singles online at Filipina dating websites. You can browse for the singles in your specific area. Seeking your Filipino dream mate at these Philippine dating web sites and start a virtual dating. If you want to get an Filipina date from an Filipino dating site, you need to search for at least few Philippine singles and contact them all. Using polite statements in your messages to send to others works out very well. Do not use any sexual or erotic word in your messages, or you do not receive any reply. 

How do you select the best Philippine dating sites? For the starters, it is recommended to search for Philippine singles at free Filipina date sites. These free Filipino dating sites do not charge members any fee. That’s right. Philippine free dating sites provide free two-way matchmaking service. So, you can meet your Filipina dater without paying any fee. Online love is so wonderful, isn’t it? Many single Filipino women seeking Philippine men from these dating sites. You need to select the best Filipina dating services to join. Free Filipino date sites are the best choice for beginners. So, you know for sure that they need a love. Philippine women are faithful to their partners. Filipina girls are very cute and beautiful. Philippine dating women are shy in public and usually hide their feelings. Getting Philippine women who are seeking Filipina singles online is a piece of cake. You should take action now by joining these free Filipino dating services to find that special soul mate of your dream.

The bride the Philippines mail-order brides are beautiful, friendly, and faithful. The Filipino women are the women most beautiful on the world to be married with. They work very hard to support their family and to raise their children. They work hard both inside the house and of outside the house. The marriage with an unmarried woman of Philippines is the best because it will remain with you for the remainder of your life. There are no more wild voyages after groom. After groom, Philippines who the lady right wants to remain at the house with her husband, takes care of him, makes cook the dinner for him, raises her children, and others. You can observe the exposure of TV while your wife of Philippines makes cook the dinner for you. You should take a measure today maintaining while visiting Filipino completely free dating from the online services.

The research of the Philippines bride on line is easy and simple because we live on this electronic modern world. For just of the simple clicks, you can look at single thousands of girls of Filipino who seek the report/ratio and the marriage. You can come into contact with them constantly. The majority of them rather even speak and written English as they currently live in Manila. The Philippines bride come to America by the marriage with the American men. When seeking on Google, you will find the thousands of them await their husbands. On the one hand, you can look at the single American register men their personnel dating from the advertisements to seek the Philippines bride. Thus, the research of the single girls of Philippines on line was a phenomenon in last years. Thousands of marriages are created annually.

The bride single mail-order brides of Philippines can ask the service to be registered with them. However, while passing by the service, you do not have any more all the order of your profile. Each time you want to change or publish your profile, you must ask for the service. One recommends to him announces you personnel dating the advertisement by yourself or asks a friend to show you how to make. It is simple and easy to create an advertisement of personnel of dating. Majority of the single men American Filipino of general and administration expenses of married fees by contacting the ladies. Generally, the ladies are free. Thus, the service of married of Philippines is the means so that the single American men find the women Filipino for the dating and the marriage. Usually, the American types find girls of Philippines for the marriage, not to date because of the distance.

There are thousands of married mail-order brides of Philippines who married with the American men and came to the United States to live fortunately. Moreover, much of unmarried Filipino women who live in America are married with the American types. You can see the interracial couples between the girls of Filipino with the American men. They seem large between them. They really like. While speaking how to end up knowing the men or the bride American single of Philippines, the services of dating of Manila are connection between them. When a woman of Philippines wants to marry with the single men, it goes to the service of dating and creates a personal advertisement. This advertisement described which it is, its weight, cuts, education, career, lifestyle, and etc This is called the profile.

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