One of the critical skills of a private investigator in Knoxville is to find information! One way in which this skill is commonly utilized is when carrying out asset investigations. Let’s find out a little bit more about that!
What is an Asset Search?
An asset search or investigation is the act of locating public records confirming the assets, such as personal property or real estate, that are held by an individual or a corporate entity. This is an everyday task for a private investigator in Knoxville. Asset searches are carried out all the time for a variety of reasons, including:
- Settling Personal Injury Cases
- Collecting Debts
- Verifying Financial Statements During Divorce or Custody Hearings
- Business Due Diligence
Why Would I Need an Asset Investigation?
There are many different reasons to hire a private investigator in Knoxville to perform an asset check on your behalf. Most of them share a common goal - to get to the truth! Here are just a few examples of when asset investigations can be helpful.
- Business - As a business owner, you might need to use a private investigator in Knoxville to perform an asset check to determine what kind of assets a person or a business has before you decide to do business with them. Knowing if the people you are doing business with are financially secure and trustworthy is essential.
- Collecting Debt - If you are owed money, a private investigator in Knoxville can carry out an asset investigation to find out if your debtors are hiding assets that they could potentially liquidate to pay the debt. This can be useful if you are trying to decide whether or not it is worthwhile going to court to recover your money. An asset check will detail any collectible assets that may be available.
- Uncovering Fraud - If you feel you have been a victim of fraud from someone who claims not to have the money to pay you, an asset check can confirm if they are being untruthful about their financial status by undeclaring their assets.
How Does an Asset Check Work?
How an asset investigation progresses will depend on what you are looking for and why. In general terms, it will include a basic background check and a computer-based investigation to access public records and other data. However, it may also be necessary to carry out surveillance work or conduct a financial investigation. This takes skill and experience, which is why you will need a private investigator in Knoxville to help you gather the information you need. This is especially if you need to prove if an individual or business is using a fictitious business name, hiding assets, has multiple judgments against them, or is committing fraud.
In terms of what type of information a private investigator in Knoxville might uncover during an asset investigation, this can vary depending on the investigation type and the subject. Individuals would be expected to have different assets than a business will. Some examples of information that a private investigator can uncover include:
- Real Estate Deeds
- Mortgage Information
- Corporate Filings
- Court Judgements & Bankruptcies
- Federal or State Tax Liens
- Vehicle, Watercraft, or Aircraft Registration
- Criminal Records
- AKAs (Also Known As) and DBAs (Doing Business As) Information
Is There Anyone Who Should NOT Conduct an Asset Search?
Unfortunately, like most other things in life, unscrupulous people will try to scam you out of your money. Many websites offer instant asset checks and background searches. However, these are almost always illegitimate and will overpromise and under-deliver. It is crucial that you use a reliable private investigator to carry out your investigation, especially if you need the evidence for court. It has to come from reputable and, more importantly, legal sources. All information obtained has to be sourced through the appropriate channels - you cannot hack someone’s computer to get the documents you need!
At Kendall Investigations, you can trust that you are in the best possible hands. Every case we handle is treated with honesty, integrity, and professionalism. Founder Kendall Shull became a private investigator in 2001 after retiring from the FBI, where he headed up the polygraph unit in Washington, D.C. He works with other investigators who are also retired FBI agents or have other law enforcement experience. This helps to give our clients the peace of mind that we will deliver valid and valuable information they can trust. We will be happy to help you interpret our findings so that you can use them effectively to resolve any issues that you are having requiring asset investigation.
Uncover the truth!
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Ken Shull served as a Special Agent with the FBI for almost 25 years and was head of the FBI Polygraph program until his retirement in 2001. At that time he set up the Kendall Investigations practice as a private investigator in Knoxville, TN offering Polygraph services, private investigations, and security guards. Ken is a member of the American Polygraph Association and The American Association of Police Polygraphists.
The Truth is Still the Truth Even if No One Believes it, A Lie is Still a Lie Even if Everyone Believes it.