Identity Theft

Our licensed private investigators have a wide variety of skills and diverse backgrounds. With 30+ years of experience, we have an excellent track record of providing high quality investigation services. From start to finish, our knowledgeable, discreet, and detail oriented staff goes above and beyond to manage your expectations, remain 100% confidential and update you daily as events unfold on your case. 

We rely on the best investigative technology and techniques, and comply with the industry’s leading standards for surveillance, locating, record search, and process services. 

Identity theft is everywhere

Identity theft is one of the most common crimes in the country, affecting millions of Americans every year, and the numbers have trended upward for years as more of our lives move online. Florida, in particular, has consistently ranked among the states with the highest rates of identity theft and fraud complaints in the nation — so if you’re here and you’re worried, your concern is well founded.

Some forms of identity fraud have become so routine that we barely register them: who hasn’t had a credit card used by someone else online? That kind of fraud is annoying but usually contained — the losses are typically absorbed by the card company, and you’re made whole.

Other cases are far more severe. If someone gets hold of your Social Security number and date of birth, there’s almost no end to what they can do fraudulently in your name. The financial damage is the part people expect. What they don’t expect is how far it can go: identity thieves have used stolen identities to obtain employment, file fraudulent tax returns, obtain medical care, and even give a victim’s name to law enforcement when they themselves are arrested — leaving the victim to untangle a criminal record they never earned.

Why identity theft is so hard to handle alone

When your identity is stolen, you quickly discover that the systems meant to help you are stretched thin and slow to respond.

Given how widespread identity theft has become, local law enforcement often doesn’t have the resources to give any single case the individual attention it needs. And identity theft frequently crosses city, state, and even national lines — the person using your information may be nowhere near you — which creates jurisdictional tangles that stall official investigations before they start. Meanwhile, the thief keeps operating, and the damage keeps compounding.

This is where a licensed private investigator becomes your most valuable resource — someone whose only priority is your case.

The private investigator: the identity theft solution

So much of our lives sits on computers and devices, waiting to be hacked, phished, or simply stolen, that there isn’t an American who isn’t at some level of risk. When the worst happens, a private investigator is your best path forward.

At The Night Owls Agency, our identity theft services don’t stop at tracking down thieves and helping recover losses. We work on both ends of the problem:

Investigating the theft. If your identity has been stolen, we’re your best resource for locating the thief and for helping you obtain redress once the culprit is found. Because so much identity theft happens online, the culprit is often tracked electronically rather than through conventional surveillance — which is exactly why our background in computer forensics matters here. We can follow a digital trail across the jurisdictional lines that bog down official investigations.

Preventing future theft. We can also help protect you from identity theft in the first place, using our computer-forensics background to identify the vulnerabilities a thief would exploit — the gaps in your habits and systems that expose you. Our TSCM/ECM division can additionally work to protect your devices and communications from the technical threats that lead to compromise.

What we can do for identity theft victims

When you come to us after your identity has been stolen, our work can include:

• Investigating how the breach occurred and what information was exposed

• Tracing the electronic trail to identify who is using your information

• Documenting the fraud thoroughly for police reports, creditors, and the courts

• Helping you assemble the evidence needed to dispute fraudulent accounts and charges

• Assessing your remaining vulnerabilities to prevent a second wave

• Coordinating with law enforcement and, where appropriate, your attorney

The documentation piece is more important than most victims realize. Banks, credit bureaus, and courts all want proof, and a professionally documented investigation carries far more weight than a victim’s own account when you’re trying to clear your name and recover.

Protecting yourself: practical steps

Sometimes common sense is your best defense. Alongside the sophisticated protection we can provide, here are straightforward habits that make it harder for identity thieves to reach your information:

• Do business only with reputable companies, and obtain references when you can

• Never give out more personal information than is necessary — and be wary of anyone who asks for more than they should need

• Never give your Social Security number over the phone, and don’t carry your Social Security card in your wallet or purse

• Keep important paper records in a safe, secure place, and shred any documents containing personal information before discarding them

• Don’t share your birth date or birthplace on social networking sites

• Use strong passwords, change them regularly, and store them securely

• Check your financial statements and bank accounts regularly for anything unfamiliar

• Avoid public Wi-Fi for financial transactions or sensitive business

• Be aware of who might be watching or listening when you share information or enter a PIN

• Never open email attachments or links from unfamiliar senders

A word about “identity protection” services

You’ll see plenty of online services that claim to protect you from identity thieves, often for a monthly fee. Some offer genuine value in monitoring. But be clear-eyed about their limits: a monitoring service can alert you after something has happened, but it can’t investigate a crime, follow a trail across jurisdictions, or help you build the case that clears your name. No automated service offers the protection — or the recourse — that a licensed private investigator can. Identity theft can happen to anyone, and when it does, having a real investigator in your corner is what makes the difference.

Frequently asked questions

Can a private investigator really find who stole my identity?
Often, yes — particularly because so much identity theft leaves an electronic trail. Our computer-forensics background lets us follow that trail across the jurisdictional lines that stall police investigations.

Police said they can’t do much. Is that normal?
Unfortunately, yes. Local law enforcement is frequently overwhelmed, and cross-jurisdictional cases are especially hard for them to pursue. A private investigator can give your case the focused attention it needs.

Can you help me prevent identity theft before it happens?
Yes. We assess your vulnerabilities and can protect your devices and communications through our TSCM/ECM division.

What should I do first if my identity was stolen?
Contact us as soon as possible — the sooner an investigation begins, the fresher the trail. We’ll also guide you on documenting the fraud for creditors and law enforcement.

Where to Begin 

We are here to assist you in answering questions in the services offered in regards to your case. To begin please call, email or submit a request form below.

Serving the entire state of Florida.