Are you thinking about hiring a private investigator? Make sure you read this blog post first! Whether you want to look into someone you met online, or you are curious about what happened to an old flame, a private investigator may seem like the perfect solution. But you should beware, because your wallet may not be able to take the stress. Keep reading to learn about some of the reasons you might hire a private investigator, what it costs to hire a private investigator, and why you should hire a search specialist from Social Catfish instead.
Why Would You Hire a Private Investigator?
Private investigators are capable of doing a variety of different jobs, and if you are considering hiring a private investigator, you probably already know what you need from them. Most likely, you require high-quality, detailed information for a divorce, a child custody ruling, or a fraud investigation. Or maybe you want to conduct an in-depth background check on someone you just met or a potential hire for your business. These are all jobs that private investigators do on a regular basis, but you may be surprised at how much they charge for them.
Other possible reasons for hiring a private investigator include but are not limited to:
- Locating a missing person.
- Collecting evidence.
- Conducting counter-surveillance (if you believe you are already being surveilled).
- Finding stolen assets or property.
How Much Does a Traditional Private Investigator Cost?
If you are still considering hiring a traditional private investigator now that you know what they do, you should not pick up the phone or send that email just yet. Do you know what a private investigator can potentially charge for a case like yours? An experienced private investigator with a license that is in good standing can cost you around $200 an hour on top of a $2000 to $3000 retainer! That is a huge investment for anybody, and there is no guarantee that the private investigator you hire will be able to find the information you want. At the end of the investigation, you will be stuck with a big bill regardless of whether you are satisfied with their work. But luckily, there is a little-known alternative that can help you get the information you’re looking for, and for a lot lower cost.

Hire a Social Catfish Search Specialist
There are several scenarios in which hiring a traditional private investigator could be the right thing to do. But in some scenarios, a search specialist can be even better. let’s consider for a moment what your particular situation is, and whether you really need to invest thousands of dollars into a traditional investigator. For example, if you just met someone online that you think could be “The One”, but you are not sure if you can trust that you are not falling for a romance scam, Social Catfish can help you!
What is a romance scam? According to the FBI, a romance scam occurs when a criminal adopts a fake online identity in order to gain a victim’s affection and trust. The scammer then uses this relationship to manipulate or steal from the victim. They do this through dating apps and social media, and most are incredibly convincing con artists. They will make the victim think they truly care about them, right before they pull the rug out from underneath their feet.
The easiest and safest way to find out if the person you are speaking with is real is to use Social Catfish and connect with your personal search specialist. For a one-time fee of only $297, you are put in contact with your personal search specialist, who is an expert in their field. Your personal search specialist will use all of the tools and databases at their disposal to locate the information you need. It is a much more cost-effective solution than paying over $2000 for a private investigator.
Your personal search specialist compiles a report that you are able to keep for your records. This report can potentially include:
- Email addresses.
- Names.
- Social media accounts.
- Address verification.
- Phone numbers.
- Professional license verification.
- Criminal records search.
- School verification.
Social Catfish is the easy, low-cost way to find out if someone you met online is a real person and keep yourself safe.





