Executive Protection Insititute

Hello All,

I am writing to inform all close protection professionals that I recently took the EPI (7 day) executive protection training. The training and professional were by far outstanding and realistic. I extremely recommend that any private investigator wishing to expand their protective practice take the EPI (7 day training). EPI stands for Executive Protection Insititute located in Virginia. The program is run by Dr. Kobetz a industry leader in Executive Executive Protection. Review the site for information: www.personalprotection.com

Mortgage Fraud Conference

Hello Investigative Professionals,

The Florida Quality Council is having a quarterly meeting on February 15, 2008 at the Holiday Inn- Altamonte Springs. Located at 230 West Hihgway 436, Altamonte Springs, Florida 32714, More information into this meeting call (407)862-4455

If you want to contribute to the Mortgage Fraud crisis this is the time.

Pro Bono Nuts and Bolts of Divorce

Hello Public,

This article is being written for the many women and I say women because that is the population that is most affected by this. When your husband who controls all the assets and money wants a divorce it is usually planned. The following is a list of topics and places I lectured attorneys in Miami regarding hidden assets:

Common ways in which a spouse may undervalue or disguise marital assets include:
—Antiques, artwork, hobby equipment, gun collections, and tools that are overlooked or undervalued. Look for antique furnishings, original paintings, or collector-level carpets at your spouse's office.

—Income that is unreported on tax returns and financial statements.

—Cash kept in the form of travelers' checks. You may be able to find these by tracing bank account deposits and withdrawals.

—A custodial account set up in the name of a child, using the child's Social Security number.

—Investment in certificate "bearer" municipal bonds or Series EE Savings Bonds. These do not appear on account statements because they are not registered with the IRS. (The government is phasing out these bonds, realizing that it is losing a lot of money.)

—Collusion with an employer to delay bonuses, stock options, or raises until a time when the asset or income would be considered separate property.

—Debt repayment to a friend for a phony debt.

—Expenses paid for a girlfriend or boyfriend, such as gifts, travel, rent, or tuition for college or classes.

—Retirement accounts that your spouse never tells you about.

—Hidden Assets and How To Find Them As more and more individuals are receiving non-monetary perks from their employers and with both spouses having jobs the marital pool of assets seems overwhelming. We've listed below many of the "extra" assets you, or your lawyer, may not have thought of.

—Security deposits- While security deposits usually relate to rental property that you may have shared, it can also be found on rented storage units and other large purchases you, as a couple were intending to make.

—Frequent Flyer Miles- Generally speaking most airlines will not allow frequent flyer miles to be considered "property" but more divorce cases are adding them to the marital asset equation.
—Time Shares- You and your spouse may have purchased a time share during your marriage.

—Patents, Copyrights and Royalties- Often the creation of these three occur during the marriage and with the assistance of marital monies which lends them to be considered marital property.

—Tax refunds- Whose name is the check coming to or whose account will it be directly deposited into?

—Hobby or coin collections. Some collect spoons from every state while others collect coins or baseball cards. Have these collections appraised.

—The only way the division of assets can be equal and fair is that everything is put on the table. The court cannot divide what it does not know exists. Here are some tips that will help you in searching for hidden assets:

—Check motor vehicle registry to find out if a car has been given away.

—Check bank and stock records for evidence of cashed in stocks or bonds, withdrawals from bank accounts or receipt of money by someone who then deposited or invested it or used it to buy something of value.

—Use the "discovery" process in which you ask someone oral or written questions to be answered under oath or produce certain documents for you to examine and copy. You may need the court's permission for anyone except your spouse, but permission is usually given if you can show likelihood of learning information relevant to the divorce.

The Proper Hiring of a PI

By Daniel Maya

So you decided to hire a private investigator? You have made that step and now hope to find out the truth. One question, do you really know who you hired?
If I had a dollar for every time I hear a story about some private investigator who either messed up a case or worse compromised an investigation because of either lack of experience or due to unlicensed activity. I would be a millionaire by now.
Do you want the right result? Have you suffered enough and are you willing to have another set back? Then do your homework and ensure you have hired the right private investigator.
Most private investigators I know have the proper experience and licensing requirements. However, not all do and we do have our bad apples.
The reason I wrote this article and made it a part of my web-site is because I felt I had an obligation to the public. An obligation to protect and serve the innocent from unlicensed and unscrupulous individuals and agencies.

It is your benefit not only to read the agencies entire web-site but check out their licensing requirements. Its very easy in the State of Florida every investigative agency is required to an A license to operate. Click on this link and type in the name and you should see the status of the license.
http://licgweb.doacs.state.fl.us/access/agency.html. In addition, the owner of the company whoever that may be should also be licensed and it will be prudent that you search them as well. Click on this link to be do http://licgweb.doacs.state.fl.us/access/individual.html.
One of the most interesting things I notice in the internet is that there are some agencies advertised in the net that are not the one doing your case. What do I mean? I will inform you. The state of Florida requires any company providing investigative services in Florida to be licensed. However, unknown to you an advertiser may state they provide coverage nationwide. Great, the only thing is that they are not licensed in the state.

They hire a sub-contractor at half the cost you probably paid and that is who is performing your surveillance, investigation, or whatever investigative assignment you may have paid for. The sub-contractor may be licensed but do you know him? Have you spoken with him? No, he is a silent party that may have not been your choice if you met them directly. I suggest that if you have a possible need for an investigator in Florida find out if the company is licensed in Florida and if they are going to do the investigation. If you pay for the brand you should get the brand not the generic.

I suggest you look to see if any of the owners are Florida Certified Investigators a designation given by the Florida Board of Certified Investigators. Information into that designation is listed here http://www.flacertinvestigator.com/ Do the principles have academic degrees or other designations such as CFE (Certified Fraud Examiner). These are the things that set mediocre investigators from professional investigators.
Another important thing is to search State Corporate Records to verify if they have an active corporation. Follow the next link http://www.sunbiz.org/corinam.html which searches by name of corporation.

The main point of this article is for you to be diligent as you have suffered enough. Why do business with an amateur or an agency that will deceive you? Do the necessary searches and ensure they are licensed, insured, and have the proper education and experience. Remember, you pay for what you get. You may pay $10 to 20 dollars less an hour and that may be the difference between achieving success or another setback.
Should you have any questions regarding this article feel free to call me as I am at your disposal.