How do I Become an Online Private Investigator?

If you are computer savvy, have a knack for investigating the facts and enjoy writing, you might be a good candidate to become an online private investigator. Depending on where you live, you might need to pass at least a training class and obtain a license before getting started in this field. As an online private investigator, most of your work will be done online by researching public records, websites and social networking groups.

Some of the areas you might delve into as a online private investigator are helping creditors find clients who are delinquent in payments, investigating false insurance claims, determining whether someone has been guilty of infidelity or examining other family or marital problems. Married people might sign up for dating services using their real names, for example. If someone boasts about a recent skiing trip on a social networking site while they are collecting disability, it might indicate insurance fraud. The Internet is useful in private investigations because it holds a lot of information, and some of it is given unwittingly by people who do not understand the lack of privacy online.

In addition to being a super sleuth, good writing skills also are essential if you want to become an online private investigator. You will be writing a lot of reports, and they must be thorough, succinct and professional. That means no typographical or grammatical errors.

Requirements to become an online private investigator are in place to protect you and the general public. As an online private investigator, you need to use technology carefully so you do not find yourself in legal trouble. Having the proper training or licensing also reassures clients that you are trustworthy and have expertise. Some of the work done by an online private investigator can include conducting credit checks or delving into criminal records and other highly sensitive information.

Private investigators sometimes have a degree in criminal justice or prior experience as a police officer. Even with this background, additional training and licensing usually are required to become an online private investigator. Training classes usually can be found via an Internet search. Just make sure that the classes meet all requirements needed to prepare you for licensing, if it is required in your area.

Many of the skills you need to become an online private investigator are the same as those used by a traditional private investigator. If possible, find a training course that specializes in online investigations. This will teach you the specific techniques you need to navigate the Internet and uncover information.

Obtaining a license typically involves taking an exam and getting a certain number of questions correct. Some of the topics on the exam might include license law, criminal and penal procedure law, writing reports, interpreting reports and the techniques used in investigations. People who have a background in law enforcement have an advantage when taking these exams, because they already understand many of the aspects of conducting investigations.

Before taking an exam, make sure you thoroughly prepare for it. A fee for taking the exam likely will be required. You also should understand any other requirements, in addition to licensing, that you must meet to become an online private investigator. Again, these can vary depending on where you live.