Some of those viewing these pages are perhaps thinking for the first time about employing a detective to safeguard their interests. It would therefore seem opportune to say something in general about what may, at first glance, appear to be a dazzling job:

It firstly needs to be said that what is shown in crime series on television is nonsense. A “private eye” who casually waves his “ID license” (which anyway is not an official permit) to open all doors only exists on television. Anyone who fancies their chances can nowadays go along to the trade supervision office, register a detective business and print out their own ID card. It becomes even more dubious when a former watchman or store detective suddenly decides that he is cut out to be a corporate investigator or private detective.

The result is that the range of detective agencies advertising in both the pertinent print media and on the Internet is simply immense. Some providers disqualify themselves by using German in a form that is, to say the least, highly unusual. Looking at such offers, anyone with a little intelligence would ask themselves whether such a detective is really capable of performing nuanced inquiries and preparing written reports which would not have lawyers and courts rolling on the floor with laughter.
On the other hand, there are especially bombastic offers. For instance, there is an English Limited (Ltd.) company in the Frankfurt area with the huge liability capital of €100 (the limited partner's interest is likewise a princely €100), which boasts of its many branches at home and abroad – all with TÜV certification of course – and even more full-time employees, who are naturally ZAD registered. Some potential clients might think they have found a reliable partner to look after their interests. Yet on closer inspection, it becomes apparent that nothing, really nothing, is what it seems. The “headquarters” in England is an accommodation address and the German “owner” (= spiritus rector), constantly on the run from his creditors, changes his place of residence as other people would change their socks. A normal trade reference shows how often the “serious head detective” has already submitted a declaration in lieu of an oath (formerly “affidavit”) and is therefore as poor as the proverbial church mouse. Now there is generally nothing inherently reprehensible in being financially desolate. It nevertheless becomes dubious at the moment that financial obligations are entered into fraudulently and creditors are subsequently left sitting on bad debts. Given such circumstances, what are the chances that a client will not likewise be hoodwinked? Is someone who is fighting for financial survival the right partner to receive and process confidential data and internal matters of yours? Misuse must then be expected, as the saying goes; one should not set the wolf to guard the sheep!

The fact is that detectives are no different to any other occupational grouping, including police officers, lawyers etc.: on the one hand there are dedicated professionals, on the other hand complete charlatans, unfortunately often more chaff than wheat.
This naturally makes it all the more difficult for a potential client to separate the chaff from the wheat. How can it be done? Here are a few tips:

• If possible, a normal commercial reference for the detective agency in question should always be obtained. For example, such references can be obtained from Creditreform, Bürgel and Brad & Dunstreet for just a few euros. These detail the history of the company and document whether it has been financially solid in the past.

• A written inquiry is not sufficient, you should rather talk extensively to the provider on the phone or in person. Then trust your experience and knowledge of human character. Anyone who boasts that “nothing is a problem” and that “we'll take care of it” is almost certainly bluffing.

• Depending on the problem itself, you should then request a written offer. This should be dispensed with only if the assignment is relatively simple.

Corporate customers can find further information on the subject of “Things worth knowing about detective agencies / detectives” at www.HABIGHORST-KG.de, private customers at www.RITA-SCHOLZ.de .