Associated Investigations LTD

Complaint: ***I am rejecting this response because:The investigator compromised our case by telling the operator the she was "hired" to have the traffic stop. Our privacy was like a red flag to the defense attorney. This was brought to the court as a invasion to the parents and did show us as unsuitable to have the grandchildren with us. The conversation to and the officer could have been more discrete in order to protect our confidentiality.
If not a full refund is in order than a partial refund should be awarded
Sincerely,*** * *** ***

The clients' surveillance investigation was conducted over
two days based on the information they provided. The objective of the investigation was to attempt
to provide documentation that might enable them to obtain grandparent
visitation since their son and
daughter-in-law had forbidden it. Our instructions were to notify the police if
the subject was observed driving and have him pulled over. Our investigator observed the subject driving
and called as directed; the police responded accordingly. Our investigator appropriately identified
herself and asked for police assistance At no time did the investigator compromise the
investigation or the client identity, she conducted the investigation according
to the ethical standards of the profession when seeking police involvement A police Sergeant called the investigator
later in the day. He wanted details
about the incident and client as the subject was not driving illegally when
stopped. Therefore, the information the
client provided was inaccurateInvestigator told him that the client identity
was confidential. We submitted a report to the client based on
the field notes submitted by the investigator and subsequently closed the file without
incident. However, the client contacted
our office last month, a year after the investigation was closed, alleging that
the investigator violated their privacy and confidentiality and requested a
refund.
As a grandparent I am sorry that the client cannot visit
their grandchildren. However, people
retain attorneys and investigators all the time for help in these cases. The court would not penalize someone for
seeking professional assistance under circumstances. **

Extremely professional and ethical Gave me so many answers to questions that I had Would not hesitate to hire in the future

The clients' surveillance investigation was conducted over
two days based on the information they provided.  The objective of the investigation was to attempt
to provide documentation that might enable them to obtain grandparent
visitation since their son and daughter-in-law had forbidden...

it.  Our instructions were to notify the police if
the subject was observed driving and have him pulled over.  Our investigator observed the subject driving
and called 911 as directed; the police responded accordingly.  Our investigator appropriately identified
herself and asked for police assistance.  At no time did the investigator compromise the
investigation or the client identity, she conducted the investigation according
to the ethical standards of the profession when seeking police involvement.   A police Sergeant called the investigator
later in the day.  He wanted details
about the incident and client as the subject was not driving illegally when
stopped.  Therefore, the information the
client provided was inaccurate. Investigator told him that the client identity
was confidential.   We submitted a report to the client based on
the field notes submitted by the investigator and subsequently closed the file without
incident.  However, the client contacted
our office last month, a year after the investigation was closed, alleging that
the investigator violated their privacy and confidentiality and requested a
refund. 
As a grandparent I am sorry that the client cannot visit
their grandchildren.  However, people
retain attorneys and investigators all the time for help in these cases.  The court would not penalize someone for
seeking professional assistance under normal circumstances. **

Review: We contracted with Associated Investigations, Ltd. to do a surveillance on our son who was convicted of a traffic offence and had his license suspended. Our son dropped off the grand children at school and the private investigator called 911 and the police made a traffic stop. He was found to have an occupation permit but had no insurance and was detained.

We had a court case against our son and ex daughter-in-law where we were attempting to obtain grand parent visitation. The defense attorney brought out the 911 tape on the traffic stop in court where the private investigator is saying, well I have been hired to do this etc etc possibly driving with a suspended license. By saying she was hired, she compromised our privacy in the case. She could have been more discrete and said that she was a concerned citizen with knowledge about the suspended license. Not telling that she was hired! This was a big part of the case.

We have lost the case and now have no communication or visitation rights to our grandchildren! We are grieving our loss and if our confidentiality and privacy had not been compromised, maybe the outcome would have been different.Desired Settlement: We would like a refund as Associated Investigations, Ltd. did not fulfill their part of the agreement for our privacy and confidentiality.

Business

Response:

The clients' surveillance investigation was conducted over

two days based on the information they provided. The objective of the investigation was to attempt

to provide documentation that might enable them to obtain grandparent

visitation since their son and daughter-in-law had forbidden it. Our instructions were to notify the police if

the subject was observed driving and have him pulled over. Our investigator observed the subject driving

and called 911 as directed; the police responded accordingly. Our investigator appropriately identified

herself and asked for police assistance. At no time did the investigator compromise the

investigation or the client identity, she conducted the investigation according

to the ethical standards of the profession when seeking police involvement. A police Sergeant called the investigator

later in the day. He wanted details

about the incident and client as the subject was not driving illegally when

stopped. Therefore, the information the

client provided was inaccurate. Investigator told him that the client identity

was confidential. We submitted a report to the client based on

the field notes submitted by the investigator and subsequently closed the file without

incident. However, the client contacted

our office last month, a year after the investigation was closed, alleging that

the investigator violated their privacy and confidentiality and requested a

refund.

As a grandparent I am sorry that the client cannot visit

their grandchildren. However, people

retain attorneys and investigators all the time for help in these cases. The court would not penalize someone for

seeking professional assistance under normal circumstances. **

Consumer

Response:

Review: [redacted]I am rejecting this response because:The investigator compromised our case by telling the 911 operator the she was "hired" to have the traffic stop. Our privacy was like a red flag to the defense attorney. This was brought to the court as a invasion to the parents and did show us as unsuitable to have the grandchildren with us. The conversation to 911 and the officer could have been more discrete in order to protect our confidentiality.

If not a full refund is in order than a partial refund should be awarded.

Sincerely,[redacted]

Review: I thought I was hiring a company from Kingman AZ but it was from CT and paid a $1000.00 deposit. I e-mailed them what happened to me 4/29/2013 and called to cancel 4/30/2013 in the morning asked if I would get my $1000.00 all back since nothing has been done and the man on the phone who answered said yes. I also sent it in a e-mail so they had the canceling in writing. They sent me refund for only $655.00 They also had charge me $30.00 on the card for using a credit card. So the whole charge was $1030.00 Now they tell me how they put a man out of work for me in just 16 hours and they had to give him $345.00 because of me in a hurry. I had not got a response from a man to work on a case for me. Did they call him in the late of the night. Just for me.

Desired Settlement: Full Refund On Credit Card

Business

Response:

Business Response /* (1000, 5, 2013/05/08) */

Contact Name and Title: [redacted]

Contact Phone: XXX XXX XXXX

Contact Email: [redacted].com

The consumer's complaint is entirely inaccurate. He contracted with us to conduct an investigation on his behalf on April 29, 2013. He e-mailed us on April 30 and canceled. He stated in his e-mail that "I have decided not to do it. So please refund my credit card, my one thousand dollar deposit. I'm selling the land to get away from the people who see me as a threat to them. If I was to do it somebody would get hurt I was told. Thank you anyway. [redacted]".

His complaint states that he canceled because he thought he was hiring a company from Kingman, Arizona, but we are from Connecticut. He was told that we are a nationwide investigative agency and that we cover Kingman. He canceled because he decided "not to do it" and not for the reasons stated in the complaint. He asked for a full refund.

Our contract that he signed specifically states that if a client cancels his request for an investigation after he signed the contract there is a $345 cancellation fee. We immediately refunded his card minus the contractual cancellation fee.

He was adamant when he called that we conduct this investigation immediately as he was unhappy with the sheriffs response. We prepared a contract and an investigative questionnaire and forwarded it to him immediately. We contacted our investigators in the area to put them on notice that we had a rush case. We were prepared to begin immediately. Note that he stated in one e-mail that we "are as bad as the a[redacted] who robbed him." His attitude toward our employee was unnecessary and inappropriate.

We are entitled to the cancellation fee pursuant to the written contract and based upon the amount of effort we put in to his case on a rush basis at his insistence. We put everything aside and attended to his needs exclusively that afternoon to accommodate him. Please advise if you need documentation.

Associated Research Investigations

Associated Investigations, Ltd

Extremely professional and ethical. Gave me so many answers to questions that I had. Would not hesitate to hire in the future.

Absolutely great. I had searched for someone for over 44 years and they find them in 4 days. Best $495 I ever spent.
Thank you so much.