People hire private investigators when stakes are high and facts are unclear: a court date approaching, a suspected fraud, an insurance claim under scrutiny, or a person who vanished from contact. DIY searches hit privacy walls, emotional bias, and methods that may be illegal. Licensed investigators gather documented facts within Ontario law so you, and your lawyer if you have one, can decide next steps.
Family law and custody
Parenting disputes often need proof of schedule compliance, safety concerns, or cohabitation claims. Investigators document parenting-time observations, home conditions from public space where appropriate, and patterns counsel can mark as exhibits. See child custody investigation and surveillance for defined deliverables.
Infidelity and separation
Suspicion is not evidence. Field work and lawful OSINT produce dated observations rather than arguments. If you are already in court, involve your lawyer before surveillance starts. Infidelity investigation intake clarifies what can be proved and what cannot.
Corporate theft and fraud
Employers facing inventory shrinkage, expense fraud, or data theft need facts before discipline or termination. Investigators interview witnesses, review lawful records, and conduct undercover work when HR and counsel authorize it. Explore corporate investigations and workplace theft investigation.
Insurance and disability claims
Insurers and self-insured employers sometimes need surveillance tied to claimed restrictions. Reports must describe identification limits honestly. Our insurance investigations team scopes claim-ready documentation.
Technical and privacy threats
Bug sweeps, stalkerware concerns, and cyber breaches cross technical and legal lines. TSCM and cyber teams document what equipment finds and what devices may need imaging. Start with TSCM bug sweeping or cyber investigations depending on the threat.
When not to hire
Investigation is not appropriate for harassment, illegal tracking, or fishing without a real question to answer. Reputable agencies refuse work that violates privacy law or court orders. If you mainly need legal advice, start with counsel; if you need facts, investigators fill that gap.
Locates and background checks
Before large financial or personal commitments, clients use background verification, skip tracing, and missing persons locates to confirm identity and history. These are distinct from surveillance but often precede or complement it.
Working with your lawyer
Investigators gather facts; lawyers apply them to procedure. Sharing court orders, claim numbers, and deadlines at intake keeps fieldwork aligned with motions and trials. Our legal services team supports counsel with process serving and field documentation when needed.
Next steps
Read how to choose a private investigator in Ontario for licensing and scope questions, then request a confidential consultation with Investigations Plus.
Due diligence before major commitments
Business partnerships, caregiving hires, and pre-marital decisions often use family background checks and premarital background checks before surveillance is ever needed. Early verification prevents expensive fixes later.
Choosing the right agency
When you are ready to compare firms, use our guide on how to choose a private investigator in Ontario. When Investigations Plus is your choice, see when to hire Investigations Plus for intake details.
Common misconceptions
Investigators are not police and cannot arrest. They do not have special access to bank or phone records without lawful authority. They can, however, save weeks of guesswork when facts must be documented for court, insurers, or corporate discipline.
