Red Flags When Hiring a Private Investigator in Ontario

When you’re desperate for answers, scammers are ready to take advantage. Here’s how to protect yourself.

Hiring a private investigator is rarely a casual decision. Whether you’re dealing with suspected infidelity, a custody battle, corporate fraud, or a missing person, you’re likely stressed, vulnerable, and in urgent need of answers.

Unfortunately, the private investigation industry is filled with operators who prey on people in exactly this position. Unlicensed frauds, incompetent amateurs, and outright criminals who will take your money and destroy your case in the process.

Mitchell Dubros, licensed private investigator and founder of Investigation Hotline, recently sat down with podcast host Chris Baker to expose the industry’s biggest problems—and explain exactly what clients need to watch out for.

In this candid interview, Mitchell doesn’t hold back about the fraudulent operators, illegal tactics, and deceptive practices that put clients at risk every day.

Listen to the Full Interview

Prefer to listen? Hear Mitchell break down these red flags in detail in our podcast episode:

Can’t listen right now? Keep reading for the key takeaways from the conversation.

1. They Won’t Show You Their License

The requirement: Every private investigator in Ontario must be licensed by the Ministry of Public and Business Service Delivery. No exceptions.

The red flag: They dodge the question, claim they’re “working under someone else’s license,” or say they’re “in the process” of getting licensed.

What to do: Ask for their license number immediately. Verify it yourself through the government registry—it takes 30 seconds.

Why it matters: Evidence collected by an unlicensed investigator can be thrown out in court. You’ve wasted your money and potentially damaged your case permanently.

2. They Guarantee Results

The promise: “We’ll definitely prove your spouse is cheating” or “Guaranteed results or your money back.”

The reality: No ethical PI can guarantee specific outcomes. They can guarantee effort and professionalism, but they can’t control what the evidence shows.

What it really means: They’re willing to fabricate evidence or use illegal methods to deliver what they promised.

The danger: Staged photos, fake timestamps, manufactured evidence. When it falls apart under scrutiny, your case is destroyed—and you may look like you tried to commit fraud.

What professionals say instead: “Here’s what we can investigate, how long it typically takes, and what possible outcomes we might find.”

3. Rock-Bottom Pricing

The pitch: “$50/hour PI services!” or “Cheapest rates in Toronto!”

The problem: Professional investigation requires expensive equipment, vehicles, insurance, licensing fees, and experienced investigators. Significantly cheaper rates mean something’s wrong.

What’s actually happening:

• They’re not doing the work (they’ll take your retainer and disappear)
• They’re cutting corners that make evidence inadmissible
• They’ll pad hours later with mystery “expenses”
• They don’t have insurance (making you liable if something goes wrong)

Fair pricing in Ontario: Expect at least $100 per hour for surveillance, plus reasonable expenses. Get everything in writing.

4. Vague or High-Pressure Contracts

Warning signs in contracts:

• No clear scope of work
• Vague billing (“expenses as needed”)
• No cancellation policy
• Full payment required upfront
• Unclear deliverables

What good contracts include:

• Specific hourly rates
• Estimated hours
• Detailed expense policy
• Payment schedule
• Exactly what you’ll receive (reports, photos, video, etc.)
• Communication expectations

Major red flag: They won’t let you take the contract home to review or consult with a lawyer.

5. They Offer Illegal Methods

The dangerous promises:

• “We can tap their phone”
• “We’ll hack their email”
• “We can install a GPS tracker on their car”
• “Don’t worry about legality—we know how to avoid getting caught”

The truth: These activities are illegal in Canada. Any PI suggesting them is either lying or willing to commit crimes that will destroy your case and potentially result in criminal charges for both of you.

What PIs can legally do:

• Surveillance in public places
• Public records research
• Witness interviews (with consent)
• Document observable behavior
• Background checks (with authorization)

What they cannot do:

• Hack devices or accounts
• Wiretap phones
• Trespass on private property
• Impersonate officials
• Use GPS trackers without authorization

The bottom line: If they break the law to get evidence, that evidence is inadmissible—and you could both face criminal charges.

In the podcast interview, Mitchell shares real examples of cases that were destroyed because PIs used illegal methods. Listen to hear what happened to those clients.

6. No Legitimate Business Presence

Red flags:

• Only contactable via personal Gmail/Hotmail
• No physical office address
• No online reviews or references
• Brand new website with stock photos
• Operating under multiple business names

Why it matters: When things go wrong, you need to find them. Anonymous operators disappear with your money, leaving you with no recourse.

What to look for: Established website, verifiable address, professional email domain, online reviews, visible licensing information.

7. Poor Communication from Day One

Warning signs:

• Days to return calls
• Vague about process and timelines
• Won’t explain things clearly
• Makes you feel stupid for asking questions
• Never available for updates

Reality check: If they can’t communicate well before you hire them, they won’t improve once they have your money.

What you deserve: Clear explanations, regular updates, straightforward answers, and basic respect.

8. No Professional Documentation Standards

Ask before hiring:

• What format will my final report be in?
• Will it be admissible in court?
• Will I receive photos, video, and timestamps?
• How detailed are your reports?

Red flag responses:

• “We’ll just tell you what we found”
• “We’ll send you some notes”
• Vague non-answers

What professional reports include:

• Detailed written documentation with dates, times, locations
• High-quality photo/video evidence
• Timestamps on all media
• Chain of custody documentation
• Court-ready formatting
• Objective, factual language

Your Due Diligence Checklist

Before hiring any private investigator:

✅ Verify their license online
✅ Check their business presence (website, reviews, address)
✅ Get everything in writing
✅ Confirm all methods are legal
✅ Reject guaranteed results
✅ Compare pricing (beware of too cheap)
✅ Review contracts carefully
✅ Take your time—don’t sign same-day

Remember: Professional investigators respect due diligence. Scammers get defensive and pushy.

Protecting Yourself in a Problematic Industry

The private investigation industry has a significant problem with fraudulent operators who copy legitimate companies, make false promises, and exploit vulnerable clients.

As Mitchell explains in the interview, “Someone needs to call them out.” Too many people in vulnerable situations are being taken advantage of by operators who care more about making a quick buck than helping clients get real answers.

When you’re in crisis, it’s easy to skip the homework and hire the first person who sounds confident. That’s exactly what these operators count on.

Your case deserves someone licensed, experienced, ethical, and accountable. Don’t let desperation lead you to someone who will make your situation worse.

Do your research. Ask the hard questions. Verify credentials. Read contracts carefully.

The right investigator can provide the answers you need. The wrong one can cost you everything.

Want More Details? Listen to the Full Podcast

In the complete interview, Mitchell goes deeper into each of these red flags and shares real stories from his years in the industry. He and host Chris Baker discuss:

• How fraudulent operators actually operate and stay in business
• The most common scams Mitchell sees repeatedly
• What happens to clients who hire the wrong PI
• Questions you should ask during your initial consultation
• How to tell the difference between a confident professional and someone who’s bluffing

Need professional investigation services in Canada? Contact us at +1 416-205-9114 or visit submit an enquiry via our contact form for a consultation with a licensed, experienced private investigator.