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Press Releases
Britain’s Leading Private Investigators Combat Insurance Fraud
May 30
2008
It is no secret that insurance providers are losing large amounts of money to fraudulent claims. It is also widely acknowledged that fraud pushes up the cost of insurance cover, and has a damaging effect on the economy, costing the UK about GBP1.6 billion annually. However, if insurers needed reminding of the seriousness of this issue, it has recently been claimed that the defrauding of financial services providers is so widespread that the trading of class A narcotics is the only activity which generates more revenue illegally.
The most obvious problem is that the police are largely unable to offer any help to insurers. The one police force in the country that has a dedicated fraud team has 150 detectives investigating an average of 350 cases at any one time. Understandably, the message being sent to the insurance industry is that it has to deal with fraud itself. However, the UK’s leading professional investigation company, Investigator Limited is able to provide an innovative solution.
By the very nature of their work, private investigators bear witness to the unseen world of human dubiosity. Often on the front-line of such dissimulative activities, this arguable qualifies a trained private investigator to be in the elite in understanding human behavior, particularly when there is reasonable cause for suspicion. Investigator Limited has drawn from their vast knowledge and expertise to provide comprehensive training for claims handlers, particularly in looking at cases early, working alongside them showing areas where early detection may assist in locating those claims that are potentially fraudulent.
Alex Sawyer, Investigator Limited’s Insurance Solutions Director explains: “In general, claimants found to be lying tend to display certain characteristics, their version of events lacks embedded detail or their story has a poor supporting structure, focusing too heavily on inconsequential details and there will be a lack of "memory anchors" - the most important details of the theft that should remain constant no matter how often the story is recounted but often don’t in the case of the fraudster. Also, their story lacks emotion, or lacks ownership, for example, the claimant often distances themselves from the event, for instance, using the term "the car" instead of "my car". In these instances the claimant makes no pre-formed judgment.”
Cognitive interviewing techniques could play a valuable role to play in the claims environment. This proven method can help interviewers get a much clearer 'picture' of what the interviewee saw, experienced and thought of a situation, and cognitive interviewing has been shown to provide well over 50% more accurate information than a standard 'question and answer' interview.
Alex adds: “In a nutshell, cognitive interviews are designed to extract far more detail from an interviewee than standard interview techniques. Indeed, they are proven to be almost as effective as hypnosis in terms of promoting memory recall. However, in the claims environment, cognitive interviewing isn’t solely about obtaining reams of detail surrounding an event , it is also about monitoring the nuances of verbal communication in order to judge the veracity of a statement. Very often a claimant’s tone of voice and choice of language can also provide subtle clues as to whether they are telling the truth.”
As Britain’s leading private investigation company, Investigator Limited subscribes to the following professional codes and regulatory bodies. I.F.I.G (Insurance Fraud Investigators Group) WAPI (World Association of Professional Investigators), IAATI International Institute of Auto Theft Investigators, and EPIC (Ex-Police in Industry and Commerce). Investigator Limited is also UKAS ISO 9001 certified and is registered under the Data Protection Act, and has full Professional Indemnity cover.
Investigator Limited deals with corporate and individual cases nationally and internationally. Log on to www.privateinvestigator.co.uk for more information or Tel 0207 903 5047.
Editor’s Note: Investigator Limited is represented by online advertising consultancy, Top Position. Please direct all press queries to Billy Howe. Email: billy@topposition.co.uk or call: 0800 094 9001.
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Investigator Limited And Russell & Co Solicitors Announce Strategic Partnership
20 May 2008
As the private investigator industry braces itself for the expected introduction of a compulsory licensing system, leading investigation service Investigator Limited has today announced a strategic partnership with West Sussex law firm, Russell and Co Solicitors.
Established in 1987 Russell & Co Solicitors is a specialist and independent firm of solicitors offering a comprehensive range of legal services to private individuals and businesses. Dynamic, forward thinking and continually striving to exceed client’s expectations and providing the best possible service, Russell & Co Solicitors have established an alliance with Investigator Limited due to their business practice ethics and accountability within the professional investigation industry.
The Security Industry Authority (S.I.A), the organisation responsible for regulating the private security industry is currently developing their approach to licensing Private Investigators. The S.I.A approach will be based on the requirements of the Private Security Industry Act 2001. According to the proposed regulations, private investigators would need an SIA licence if they are involved in any surveillance, inquiries or investigations that are carried out for the purposes of obtaining information about a particular person or about the activities or whereabouts of a particular person; or if a professional investigation involves obtaining information about the circumstances in which, or means by which, property has been lost or damaged.
Barry Schofield, Investigator Limited founder says: “In principal Investigator Limited support the proposals outlined by the Security Industry Authority if it means that professional investigation companies and individuals will be held accountable for their ethics and professionalism. Investigator Limited already subscribes to a number of regulatory bodies, including World Association of Professional Investigators (WAPI), Insurance Fraud Investigators Group (IFIG) and we are proud to have recently been awarded the UKAS seal of approval.”
Mr Schofield continues: “As almost half of all divorce proceedings in Britain last year involved the services of a private investigator to try to establish whether the spouse was having an affair, it is clearly important that lawyers and their clients need to be safe in the knowledge that the private investigator appointed in any type of case is both thorough and professional, if the S.I.A achieve this with their current proposals then Investigator Limited would support this 100%.”
As Britain’s leading private investigation company, Investigator Limited subscribes to the following professional codes and regulatory bodies. I.F.I.G (Insurance Fraud Investigators Group) WAPI (World Association of Professional Investigators), IAATI International Association of Auto Theft Investigators, and EPIC (Ex-Police in Industry and Commerce). Investigator Limited is also UKAS ISO 9001 certified and is registered under the Data Protection Act, and has full Professional Indemnity cover.
Investigator Limited deals with corporate and individual cases nationally and internationally. Log on to www.privateinvestigator.co.uk for more information or Tel 0207 903 5047.
Editor’s Note: Russell & Co is a firm of Solicitors based in Crawley. They offer legal services to individuals and businesses in Sussex and Surrey. Russell & Co Solicitors undertake home visits and can, subject to availability, offer appointments on a Saturday.
For more information visit www.russell-co-legal.co.uk
Editor’s Note: Investigator Limited is represented by online advertising consultancy, Top Position. Please direct all press queries to Billy Howe. Email: billy@topposition.co.uk or call: 0800 094 9001.
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Investigator Watches for your Partner’s Cheating Heart
12 May 2008
Has your other half started displaying unusual behaviour? Receiving text messages at all hours of the day? Disappearing off at any given opportunity to do errands or dramatically changing the way that they look? While these signs may indicate your partner has been cheating without using the services of a private detective such as Investigator Ltd. it’s hard to be completely sure.
Investigator Ltd. understands that in circumstances such as these, confidentiality is of the upmost importance and so ensures that all their undertakings are carried out discreetly. It may seem like a big step to go from having suspicions to employing a private investigator, but having peace of mind is essential to both your day-to-day life as well as your relationship.
While adultery is responsible for 54% of divorces, it is estimated that only 22% of people in long-term relationships actually cheat. If your partner has started work late or is going away on business more than usual, it may just be as simple as that. However, if it is causing you concern or if this has happened in connection with alterations in other habits such as changes in intimacy or unexplained credit card charges or phone bills, than a private detective helps get to the bottom of the issue before you say or do anything that could have an irreversible impact on your love life.
If you’re still not sure that your fears warrant the use of a private investigator than go to Investigator Ltd’s comprehensive website and subscribe to be sent their free infidelity report. Within seconds a detailed account of the 10 major signs that signal infidelity might be taking place in your relationship, is sent direct to your email address. There is no obligation and the information may help you to decide how you want to proceed.
It’s a dreadful feeling to have to go through; in fact living with the uncertainty and the not knowing can be almost more destructive than discovering the facts. At least once you have concrete evidence, it allows you to move forward with more confidence and either prevent any false accusations or bring an end to an unsuitable situation.
As leading specialists in matrimonial and partner investigations, Investigator Ltd. is fully sympathetic to your position and understands to tread delicately. Throughout the years, they have helped many people to eradicate worries or give them back some control of their life. They provide 100% anonymity ensuring your partner never finds out, particularly necessary if the allegations turn out to be false.
The most advanced technology is used to gather evidence giving you exceptionally detailed information at all times. This is then presented to you at the end of the investigation in the form of a diarised report and will include photographic and/or video evidence.
For more information visit www.investigator.co.uk
Editor’s Note: Investigator Ltd is represented by online advertising consultancy, Top Position. Please direct all press queries to Billy Howe. Email: billy@topposition.co.uk or call: 0800 094 9001.
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Investigator Limited – White Collar Crime On The Increase
24 April 2008
The UK’s leading private investigator, Investigator Ltd is highlighting the fact that white collar crime often doesn’t make the news, since it’s not as dramatic as something like a bank robbery or a hostage situation. But still, white collar criminals cost companies and governments millions of pounds every year, and in some extreme cases, ruin the lives of thousands of employees. Whether its bribery, public corruption, counterfeiting, fraud or embezzlement, white collar crime is on the increase in the UK.
Experienced private investigator, ex-police officer and founder of Investigator Ltd, Barry Schofield says: “The term ‘white collar’ broadly refers to a wide variety of non-violent crimes, typically committed in a business environment by ‘white collar’ employees. In general, there are two categories of white-collar crimes, occupational crimes and organizational or corporate crimes. Generally speaking, white-collar crime describes any deliberately deceptive action aimed at securing unlawful gains for oneself or one’s organization. Occupational crimes are crimes committed by individuals seeking to make money themselves. Organizational or corporate crimes involve illegal actions aimed at securing some type of financial gain for an organization.”
Barry goes on to say: “In the past, white collar crimes received little attention by the public at large. This is likely due to the nonviolent nature of these crimes. However, in more recent years and in light of such scandals as the Enron affair and Martha Stewart’s insider trading conviction, these types of crimes have received more attention by the media. Subsequently, the public is more aware of such criminal activities. But indeed, the public should be concerned about white collar crimes because it is the members of the public that is usually the victims.”
Enlisting the help of a private investigator can be a difficult decision to make, but Investigator Limited’s have specially trained operatives working in locating missing persons, civil and criminal investigations, matrimonial investigations and insurance fraud as well as corporate criminal investigations.
As Britain’s leading private investigation company, Investigator Limited subscribes to the following professional codes and regulatory bodies. I.F.I.G (Insurance Fraud Investigators Group) WAPI (World Association of Professional Investigators), IAATI International Institute of Auto Theft Investigators, and EPIC (Ex-Police in Industry and Commerce). Investigator Limited is also UKAS ISO 9001 certified and is registered under the Data Protection Act, and has full Professional Indemnity cover.
Investigator Limited deals with corporate and individual cases nationally and internationally. Log on to www.investigator.co.uk for more information or Tel 0207 903 5047.
Editor’s Note: Investigator Limited is represented by online advertising consultancy, Top Position. Please direct all press queries to Billy Howe. Email: Billy@topposition.co.uk or call: 0800 094 9001.
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Britain’s Leading Private Investigators Combat Insurance Fraud
February 22 2008
It is no secret that insurance providers are losing large amounts of money to fraudulent claims. It is also widely acknowledged that fraud pushes up the cost of insurance cover, and has a damaging effect on the economy, costing the UK about GBP1.6 billion annually. However, if insurers needed reminding of the seriousness of this issue, it has recently been claimed that the defrauding of financial services providers is so widespread that the trading of class A narcotics is the only activity which generates more revenue illegally.
The most obvious problem is that the police are largely unable to offer any help to insurers. The one police force in the country that has a dedicated fraud team has 150 detectives investigating an average of 350 cases at any one time. Understandably, the message being sent to the insurance industry is that it has to deal with fraud itself. However, the UK’s leading professional investigation company, Investigator Limited is able to provide an innovative solution.
By the very nature of their work, private investigators bear witness to the unseen world of human dubiosity. Often on the front-line of such dissimulative activities, this arguable qualifies a trained private investigator to be in the elite in understanding human behavior, particularly when there is reasonable cause for suspicion. Investigator Limited has drawn from their vast knowledge and expertise to provide comprehensive training for claims handlers, particularly in looking at cases early, working alongside them showing areas where early detection may assist in locating those claims that are potentially fraudulent.
Alex Sawyer, Investigator Limited’s Insurance Solutions Director explains: “In general, claimants found to be lying tend to display certain characteristics, their version of events lacks embedded detail or their story has a poor supporting structure, focusing too heavily on inconsequential details and there will be a lack of "memory anchors" - the most important details of the theft that should remain constant no matter how often the story is recounted but often don’t in the case of the fraudster. Also, their story lacks emotion, or lacks ownership, for example, the claimant often distances themselves from the event, for instance, using the term "the car" instead of "my car". In these instances the claimant makes no pre-formed judgment.”
Cognitive interviewing techniques could play a valuable role to play in the claims environment. This proven method can help interviewers get a much clearer 'picture' of what the interviewee saw, experienced and thought of a situation, and cognitive interviewing has been shown to provide well over 50% more accurate information than a standard 'question and answer' interview.
Alex adds: “In a nutshell, cognitive interviews are designed to extract far more detail from an interviewee than standard interview techniques. Indeed, they are proven to be almost as effective as hypnosis in terms of promoting memory recall. However, in the claims environment, cognitive interviewing isn’t solely about obtaining reams of detail surrounding an event , it is also about monitoring the nuances of verbal communication in order to judge the veracity of a statement. Very often a claimant’s tone of voice and choice of language can also provide subtle clues as to whether they are telling the truth.”
As Britain’s leading private investigation company, Investigator Limited subscribes to the following professional codes and regulatory bodies. I.F.I.G (Insurance Fraud Investigators Group) WAPI (World Association of Professional Investigators), IAATI International Institute of Auto Theft Investigators, and EPIC (Ex-Police in Industry and Commerce). Investigator Limited is also UKAS ISO 9001 certified and is registered under the Data Protection Act, and has full Professional Indemnity cover.
Investigator Limited deals with corporate and individual cases nationally and internationally. Log on to www.privateinvestigator.co.uk for more information or Tel 0207 903 5047.
Investigator Limited on Sky News
February 22 2008
Barry Schofield, founder and Managing Director of Investigator Limited recently appeared on a Sky News national news bulletin to provide a professional insight into why people decide to go missing, after a high profile case involving a missing canoeist, presumed dead, but suddenly reappeared after more than 5 years. In an on-going investigation, it is alleged that the man faked his own death in a bizarre attempt to defraud an insurance company out of thousands of pounds from a life insurance policy.
Sky News asked Investigator Limited to provide expert input, and Barry drew upon his experiences as a former police officer, and spearheading the UK’s leading private investigation company in tracking down lost or missing persons.
Please follow this link to view the interview-: www.youtube.com/watch?v=fjoTc_lBJq8
Why People Decide To Go Missing
February 22 2008
Around 600 people will have got up this morning, decided to walk out the front door and simply disappear, and in doing so they will join the 210,000 people reported missing in the UK every year. While many of those people who go missing later return, or eventually get in touch with family, there are thousands that do not. Some families never abandon hope of ever seeing their loved ones again.
Recent media attention has turned to a particular case of the missing canoeist, who after over 5 years of being missing and presumed dead, walked into a police station declaring himself a missing person. Although current speculation is pointing to be an elaborate solution to financial problems, this only highlights some of the problems why people decide to disappear in the first place. The collapsing economy in 1992 led to a wave of disappearances, followed by another in 1994 during a downturn in the computer industry.
The UK’s leading private investigation consultants, Investigator Limited, featured on Sky News to give an expert opinion into the profile of missing persons and the case of the “missing canoeist”. Investigator Limited’s managing director, Barry Schofield says: “Today’s modern technology makes it relatively easy for anyone wishing to disappear, but equally it is often the same technology that ultimately leads to the location of a missing person. As with this recent high profile case, there is always someone who has had contact with a missing person, whether it is a local newsagent or anyone that sees a nameless, but familiar face going about their daily routine”. But Barry adds: “It is important to remember that when a person decides to simply walk away from life’s problems and start a new life, often do so as an act of desperation. But it can be an never ending anguish for close family and friends, who’s lives can be put on hold, longing for a phone call or letter confirming their loved ones well being”.
Enlisting the help of a private investigator can be a difficult decision to make, but Investigator Limited’s have specially trained operatives working in locating missing persons, civil and criminal investigations, matrimonial investigations and insurance fraud.
People decide to disappear for many reasons, but the largest percentage tends to fall under two categories, family problems or financial problems. The “missing canoeist” case maybe in the minority with how elaborate people can be in disappearing and assuming a new identity.
But in cases where a person has vanished and defrauded an insurance company or other creditors, this can have a knock on effect for other consumers. As increasing competition in the insurance industry continues at a breath taking pace, it is now a critical success factor for insurance companies to minimise more than ever their exposure to fraudulent claims.
The Association of British Insurers (ABI) has estimated that the total amount of fraud suffered by insurers on general personal lines business alone is over £1 billion per annum. In the current ‘frequent claim’ environment, Insurance Companies are increasingly vulnerable to sophisticated and diverse fraudulent activity.
Investigator Ltd has several years specialising in and successfully developed ‘Anti Fraud Initiatives’, and continue to be a leading Anti Fraud Investigation company that can introduce techniques to your organisation that minimise and where possible, eradicate all types of Insurance fraud.
Investigator Ltd can provide help and advice on missing person cases as well as a sound knowledge of investigative skills specific to this growing problem.
As Britain’s leading professional investigation company, Investigator Limited subscribes to the following professional codes and regulatory bodies. I.F.I.G (Insurance Fraud Investigators Group) WAPI (World Association of Professional Investigators), IAATI International Institute of Auto Theft Investigators, and EPIC (Ex-Police in Industry and Commerce). Investigator Limited is also UKAS ISO 9001 certified and is registered under the Data Protection Act, and has full Professional Indemnity cover.
Investigator Limited deals with corporate and individual cases nationally and internationally. Log on to www.investigator.co.uk for more information or Tel 0207 903 5047.
Corporate Espionage – Investigator Limited Separates Fact From Fiction
Added: (Thu Nov 22 2007)
There’s a widespread misconception that corporate espionage is a high-tech crime committed by slick James Bond types with mini cameras or genius computer hackers, and there is no doubt this level of espionage does occur, but generally nothing could be further from the truth. Leading U.K private investigation and security consultants, Investigator Limited, find that just about all corporate penetration is accomplished with decidedly simple, but preventable methods.
Investigator Limited’s founder and director, Barry Schofield says, “corporate spies are perfectly happy to get information from the easiest, sometimes most overlooked sources, such as waste bins or unattended computers. These sources are in fact preferable as they involve less risk. More often than not, the offender is a disgruntled employee, or someone at director level trying to either set up in competition or giving a company’s intellectual rights away to a competitor for either reward or revenge. Enlisting the help of a professional consultant may be a difficult decision to make, but at Investigator Limited, we work with you in effectively overseeing all of your security needs. Security is sometimes a necessity, but should always work in harmony with the business it is designed to protect”.
Internal company correspondence can contain an incredible amount of information. Companies produce their own newsletters, policy-meeting minutes, and so on, filled with project data, details about people, company-status updates, and other information, but Barry says, “It’s important to realize that although information on a computer can be extremely important, the same piece of information written on a napkin is just as valuable”.
Most corporations and company owners don’t believe their company will be targeted. If a company is not in the defense industry or the company is relatively small, the thinking goes, they aren’t at risk. This common attitude is a spy’s best weapon. In fact, small companies tend to be targeted more than large corporations, simply because they have more competitors. But a £1000 loss to a small company can be more damaging to a small company than £100,000 is to a large corporation.
As Britain’s leading professional investigation company, Investigator Limited subscribes to the following professional codes and regulatory bodies. I.F.I.G (Insurance Fraud Investigators Group) WAPI (World Association of Professional Investigators), IAATI International Institute of Auto Theft Investigators, and EPIC (Ex-Police in Industry and Commerce). Investigator Limited is also UKAS ISO 9001 certified and is registered under the Data Protection Act, and has full Professional Indemnity cover.
Investigator Limited deals with corporate and individual cases nationally and internationally.
Investigator Limited Receives The ISO Seal Of Approval
November 14, 2007 Business News
(PRLEAP.COM) The UK’s leading professional investigation and security consultants Investigator Ltd are pleased to announce that they have been awarded the internationally recognised UKAS ISO 9001 Certification for their quality management and procedures, an accolade that demonstrates Investigators Ltd’s ability to consistently provide a regulated, secure service.
The certification aims to enhance customer satisfaction through the effective application of good practice guidelines and providing a forum continual improvement of the system.
Founder and director of Investigator Ltd Barry Schofield said, “The policy of Investigator Ltd is to provide exceptional quality of service as well as exceptional value for money to all clients. Private investigators have by the nature of their work, been likened to secret individuals. The raincoat and magnifying glass image still seen today on some investigator sites and paperwork creates a false impression of a secret, dark, and unsavoury world.”
“At Investigator Ltd we are trying to break free of that image and pride ourselves on providing a fully accountable service. That we should be clear and concise with our dealings and transparent in our costs and services is intrinsic in our operations. Yes, there is a need for confidentiality and client protection is paramount and working within the legal requirements of our industry is both professional and correct, but we and others like us do a magnificent job for both industry and individuals alike. Our services are a very necessary tool used to deal with many aspects of corporate and individual needs.”
Investigator Ltd boasts a highly skilled, internationally experienced team of qualified professional investigators. As the recent bestowing of the ISO certificate demonstrates, this is backed up with a strong commitment to quality and constant improvement.
As Britain’s leading professional investigation company, Investigator Ltd subscribes to a number of professional codes and regulatory bodies including WAPI (World Association of Professional Investigators, IAATI International Institute of Auto Theft Investigators, Data Protection Act, I.F.I.G (Insurance Fraud Investigators Group) and EPIC (Ex-Police in Industry and Commerce).
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