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When most people think about hiring a lawyer, they imagine going into a courtroom with everything already prepared. But in many civil cases—whether it’s a contract dispute, a child custody battle, or an issue involving fraud—there’s often one key step that’s overlooked:Gathering evidence before the attorney even gets involved.That’s where a licensed private investigator (PI) comes in.If you suspect you may need to take legal action, or you're trying to determine whether a lawsuit is even worth pursuing, working with a PI can give you the answers (and documentation) you need—before paying thousands in legal fees.<h3>When Civil Cases Begin Without a Lawyer</h3> Civil disputes often start informally. Maybe you:<ul><li>Loaned money that hasn’t been repaid</li><li>Suspect your ex is violating a custody order</li><li>Believe a contractor defrauded you</li><li>Think someone is impersonating you online</li><li>Are considering a harassment or defamation suit</li></ul>But before a lawyer can act, they need proof. Many attorneys won’t even take a case without verifiable evidence. That’s why clients come to Easton Secure Solutions first—to document the facts and establish a foundation for legal action.<h3>What a Private Investigator Can Do Before Legal Representation</h3> Here’s how a PI helps build a civil case from the ground up—legally, ethically, and thoroughly:1. Verify or Locate Key Parties Before a lawsuit can proceed, you need to identify and verify the person you’re planning to take action against.We handle:<ul><li>Skip tracing for individuals who’ve vanished or are actively avoiding contact</li><li>Address and employment verification to determine where someone can be served or sued</li><li>Identity verification when someone is hiding behind fake names, online aliases, or burner phones</li></ul>➡️ Read more about our <a data-mce-href="https://eastonsecuresolutions.com/person-locates" href="https://eastonsecuresolutions.com/person-locates">Skip Tracing Services</a>2. Collect Evidence Through Surveillance and OSINTWe gather legal evidence using a mix of:<ul><li>Surveillance – Photos, videos, and timestamps documenting behavior, movements, or violations</li><li>OSINT (Open Source Intelligence) – Collecting public data from social media, forums, business listings, and more</li><li>Witness interviews – Discreet conversations with neighbors, coworkers, or witnesses to help build context</li></ul>This type of evidence is often what turns a weak suspicion into a viable legal case.3. Identify Assets or Hidden Information In cases involving fraud, unpaid debts, or potential judgments, it helps to know what someone actually has.We help identify:<ul><li>Property and vehicle ownership</li><li>Business affiliations</li><li>Employer details</li><li>Lifestyle indicators that can contradict sworn financial claims</li></ul>This is especially helpful before filing for small claims, divorce, or civil recovery lawsuits.4. Confirm or Refute Suspicions Sometimes you don’t want to rush into legal action without being sure. Maybe you're:<ul><li>Not 100% sure your ex moved someone new into the home</li><li>Questioning whether a contractor truly "went out of business"</li><li>Wondering if your tenant is subletting against your lease</li></ul>Instead of guessing—or confronting someone prematurely—you can let us quietly investigate and give you a clear, unbiased report.<h3>Real Case Example: Building a Case Before Legal Action</h3> A client contacted us after suspecting that their former business partner had started a competing company using proprietary client lists—violating a signed non-compete agreement.The client wasn’t ready to hire an attorney, but they needed to know if legal action was even possible.Our investigation uncovered:<ul><li>A newly registered LLC tied to the former partner</li><li>The partner’s current employment status and office address</li><li>Online ads and social posts promoting the new business using old client logos</li><li>Witness interviews confirming that several former clients had been solicited</li></ul>With that information, our client approached a civil attorney, who immediately moved forward with a cease and desist, followed by a lawsuit seeking damages.Had the client gone to a lawyer first without any evidence, they would have likely spent thousands before even knowing if the case was viable.<h3>Why This Step Saves You Time and Money</h3> Attorneys charge by the hour—and most don’t investigate. If you walk into a consultation without hard facts, they’ll either:<ol><li>Tell you there’s not enough for a case</li><li>Assign an expensive paralegal or third-party firm to gather evidence</li><li>Require you to return later once you have proof</li></ol>Hiring a PI before you hire a lawyer allows you to:✅ Confirm if legal action is even worth pursuing ✅ Avoid wasting money on dead-end lawsuits ✅ Walk into your attorney’s office prepared with evidence ✅ Strengthen your case from day one<h3>Types of Civil Cases Where a PI Can Help First</h3> We commonly assist in cases involving:<ul><li>Breach of contract or civil fraud</li><li>Harassment, stalking, or defamation</li><li>Child custody and cohabitation violations</li><li>Unpaid debts or judgments</li><li>Property disputes</li><li>Online impersonation or identity misuse</li><li>Landlord-tenant conflicts</li><li>Contractor abandonment or false claims</li></ul>Many of these cases never even reach court—because the facts we uncover lead to early settlements, negotiated resolutions, or preemptive legal action.<h3>What We Need to Start Your Case</h3> In most cases, we can begin with minimal information:<ul><li>Name (even partial is okay)</li><li>Phone number, email, or business name</li><li>Social media profiles</li><li>A description of the situation and your goals</li></ul>Once we understand your situation, we’ll tailor the investigation based on what you're trying to prove or uncover.<h3>Work With a Licensed New York PI You Can Trust</h3> At Easton Secure Solutions LLC, we specialize in helping individuals and businesses gather the facts they need to move forward—legally, ethically, and with clarity.Whether you’re in New York City or Long Island, our licensed investigators know how to discreetly get results in sensitive civil matters before the lawyers ever step in.📞 Call us at (516) 962-1267 📧 Email: eastonpro@eastonsecuresolutions.com ➡️ Visit our <a data-mce-href="https://eastonsecuresolutions.com/background-checks" href="https://eastonsecuresolutions.com/background-checks">Identity Verification</a> or <a data-mce-href="https://eastonsecuresolutions.com/surveillance" href="https://eastonsecuresolutions.com/surveillance">Surveillance Services</a> pagesBefore You Hire a Lawyer, Hire a PI Who Gets Results If you're thinking about pursuing a civil case, don’t wait until you’re deep into legal fees. Get the evidence you need now—so you can make informed decisions and walk into court prepared.

How Private Investigators Help Build Civil Cases Before You Hire a Lawyer in New York

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In a world where nearly everything runs through a smartphone, getting a call or text from an unknown number can be unsettling—especially when that number is tied to harassment, fraud, threats, or other suspicious behavior. If you’ve tried to Google the number or use a reverse lookup site only to come up empty-handed, you're not alone.Many people ask: Can a private investigator find out who owns a phone number? The short answer is yes—and in serious situations involving fraud, stalking, or civil/criminal legal matters, hiring a PI might be the smartest (and safest) step you can take.<h3>&nbsp; Why People Need to Identify a Phone Number Owner</h3> There are countless legitimate reasons why someone would need to know who’s behind a phone number. Here are some of the most common scenarios we encounter:<ul><li>Fraudulent activity – You received suspicious texts about fake deliveries, banking issues, or credit alerts.</li><li>Threatening or harassing messages – A person is calling or texting repeatedly with threats, obscenities, or false accusations.</li><li>Civil or criminal case preparation – You’re working with an attorney or law enforcement and need to identify the person behind a phone number tied to a lawsuit or crime.</li><li>Infidelity or identity deception – The number is connected to a hidden relationship, fake online profile, or possible scam.</li><li>Court-related matters – The individual tied to the number is avoiding legal service, owes child support, or is involved in an ongoing dispute.</li></ul>In all of these cases, knowing who is behind that number isn’t just about curiosity—it’s about protecting yourself, preparing legal action, or gathering evidence.<h3>&nbsp; What People Search Websites Can (and Can’t) Do</h3> A quick web search will lead you to dozens of “reverse phone lookup” sites. Some may promise results for free, others offer paid reports that claim to tell you the name and address behind any number. But here’s the problem:<ul><li>The data is usually scraped from outdated public directories.<ul><li>Many mobile numbers are unlisted, especially prepaid and VOIP numbers.</li></ul></li><li>Spoofed numbers (when a scammer uses someone else’s real number) may point to an innocent party.<ul><li>Results often include inaccurate or mixed-up names, especially if the number has changed hands.</li></ul></li></ul>In short: people search websites rarely produce verified results—and if the situation involves harassment, stalking, or legal consequences, you cannot afford to be wrong.<h3>&nbsp; How Private Investigators Legally Identify Phone Number Owners</h3> Licensed private investigators like Easton Secure Solutions LLC use tools, methods, and databases that are not available to the public. Here’s how we approach these cases:1. Access to Tier 1 Proprietary Databases These databases aggregate real-time phone data from utility records, financial institutions (via credit headers), and telecom records. Unlike consumer sites, this data is verified and continuously updated—critical when someone is trying to stay off the grid.2. Cross-Referencing with OSINT and Social Patterns We combine phone records with open-source intelligence (OSINT)—pulling from social media, digital footprints, business licenses, and more—to link a number to a person, especially if they’ve used it in any public or semi-public context.3. Link Analysis and Behavioral Mapping If a number has contacted multiple people with similar messages or threats, we can map connections and sometimes even identify pattern-based behavior, which helps in civil suits and law enforcement involvement.4. Verification Before Reporting We don’t guess. Once we identify a potential owner of a number, we verify the match through address records, associated emails, voice recordings (if applicable), and other identifiers. You’ll get a verified, documented result you can actually use.&nbsp; Real Case Example: Harassing Texts Lead to Civil Action A recent client came to us after receiving weeks of threatening text messages from a New York-based number. The messages referenced her child, her job, and even her apartment—details that showed this wasn’t just random spam. The police initially told her they needed a name to proceed further.She tried two online reverse lookups and came up empty. Then she contacted us.Using deep skip tracing, proprietary phone data, and OSINT techniques, we linked the number to a former coworker with a history of similar behavior. We verified the match through address and utility records and provided our client with a documented report.That report was used by her attorney to file for a protective order—and police were able to initiate a criminal harassment case based on the newly identified individual.This is where hiring a private investigator makes all the difference. Accurate identification can change the outcome of a case.<h3>&nbsp; Why This Matters in Civil and Criminal Cases</h3>Knowing the identity of someone behind a number is often the first step in:<ul><li>Filing police reports (for harassment, stalking, or threats)</li><li>Filing a civil lawsuit (for damages, defamation, or fraud)</li><li>Reporting scam or fraud attempts to the appropriate agencies</li><li>Getting protective or restraining orders</li><li>Serving legal documents in cases where the subject is avoiding being found</li></ul>In many of these scenarios, your case can’t proceed without a confirmed identity—and hiring a PI ensures that what you submit is solid, admissible, and obtained legally.<h3>&nbsp; What We Need to Start a Phone Trace</h3> In most cases, we can begin an investigation with just the phone number—whether it’s a mobile, VOIP, or landline. Additional details like:<ul><li>Any messages you’ve received</li><li>When you started receiving the calls/texts</li><li>Social media screenshots or connections to the number<ul><li>can help speed up the process and narrow the search. But they’re not required.</li></ul></li></ul>Our identity verification starts at $199 and includes:<ul><li>Confirmation of name associated with the number</li><li>Cross-referenced address and email (when available)</li><li>Social footprint or professional history (when relevant)</li><li>A verified report suitable for civil/criminal use &nbsp; Legal and Ethical Compliance At Easton Secure Solutions LLC, we operate strictly within legal boundaries. We do not engage in pretexting (lying to telecom providers), hacking, or any illegal forms of surveillance.</li></ul>Our investigations are compliant with state and federal laws, ensuring the information we provide can be used in court or submitted to law enforcement without putting you or your case at risk.<h3>&nbsp; You Don’t Have to Wonder Who’s Behind That Number</h3> If you're dealing with harassment, threats, fraud, or any situation where an unknown phone number is involved—don’t wait until it escalates. A private investigator can help you find out who’s behind it, verify the identity, and give you the documentation needed to take action.&nbsp; Work With a Licensed New York Investigator Today Easton Secure Solutions LLC proudly serves New York City and Long Island. As a licensed private investigation firm, we specialize in:<ul><li>Skip tracing</li><li>Identity verification</li><li>Fraud and harassment investigations</li><li>Pre-litigation intelligence We deliver accurate results fast—ethically and confidentially.</li></ul>📞 Call us today at (516) 962-1267 📧 Email: eastonpro@eastonsecuresolutions.comOr visit our <a data-mce-href="https://eastonsecuresolutions.com/background-checks" href="https://eastonsecuresolutions.com/background-checks">Identity Verification</a> and <a data-mce-href="https://eastonsecuresolutions.com/person-locates" href="https://eastonsecuresolutions.com/person-locates">Skip Tracing</a> service pages to learn more.&nbsp; Don’t rely on guesswork. Get the truth you need—legally, safely, and fast.

Can a Private Investigator Find Out Who Owns a Phone Number?

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When you need to locate someone—whether it’s a missing relative, a former tenant, or someone avoiding court papers—it’s tempting to start with a quick people search website. After all, they promise instant results for just a few dollars. But how reliable are they? And how do they compare to hiring a licensed private investigator?At first glance, both seem to offer the same thing: information about people. But the truth is, what they deliver—and how they do it—is dramatically different. Here’s what you need to know before spending money on either option.<h3>&nbsp; What People Search Sites Actually Do</h3> People search websites like Spokeo, BeenVerified, or TruthFinder scrape publicly available data and package it into reports. These sites aggregate information from:<ul><li>Public records (like voter registration or property ownership)</li><li>Social media profiles</li><li>Marketing databases</li><li>Old white pages and directories</li></ul>While this can seem comprehensive, the information is often outdated, incomplete, or inaccurate. It’s not uncommon for someone’s name to be tied to an address from 10 years ago, or for unrelated individuals to be merged in one report due to similar names or shared addresses.And most importantly: these sites don’t verify the information. What you see is exactly what a bot found—and there’s no one fact-checking it for you.<h3>&nbsp; Why People Use Them Anyway</h3>People search tools appeal to users because they’re fast and easy. If you're curious about an old friend or a potential date, they may give you a starting point. But when it comes to serious matters—like recovering owed money, dealing with family disputes, or locating someone who doesn’t want to be found—these platforms fall short.That’s where a licensed private investigator comes in.<h3>&nbsp; What a Private Investigator Does Differently</h3> Unlike automated data scrapers, private investigators combine technology, legal access, and human analysis to provide accurate, actionable results. Here's how that looks in practice:1. Access to Proprietary and Verified Data Licensed private investigators often have access to Tier 1 proprietary databases not available to the public. These databases aggregate real-time information from verified sources like utility records, financial institutions (via credit header data), and internal industry logs. This level of access makes a huge difference in both quality and accuracy.2. Human Verification Every locate case handled by a professional PI is reviewed by a human. Instead of just printing a report, investigators cross-reference sources, make live contact when legally appropriate, and eliminate false leads. This ensures the person located is actually the right individual—not just someone with the same name.3. Skip Tracing Techniques Private investigators use a technique called skip tracing, which is the process of finding people who are deliberately avoiding contact. That includes tracking through:<ul><li>Utility connections</li><li>Employment databases</li><li>Civil court filings</li><li>Online behavioral patterns (via legal OSINT methods)</li><li>Contact with known associates</li></ul>You won’t find that in any people search report.4. Privacy Compliance When a PI is hired, especially in non-court matters like family reunification or debt recovery, there are legal and ethical obligations in place. A licensed PI understands when they can—and cannot—make direct contact or share information. This protects both you and the subject of the investigation.&nbsp; Real-World Example: A Tale of Two Searches Let’s say you’re trying to locate the non-custodial parent of your child who stopped paying court-ordered support and has gone off the grid. You try a popular people search website and get a few outdated addresses, disconnected phone numbers, and vague employment history. You send a letter—no response. You try the phone numbers—nothing but dead ends.Now let’s say you hire a private investigator. They run a deep skip trace using proprietary data sources and uncover a new utility hookup under the individual’s name, a recently renewed out-of-state driver’s license, and a connected employer through a corporate records search. Within days, they provide a verified address and employer—information you can take to family court for enforcement or wage garnishment.<h3>&nbsp; Cost Comparison: Is a PI Worth It?</h3> People search sites often charge monthly fees ranging from $20–$30/month. But since their results aren’t verified, you may waste hours chasing false leads. Worse, you might take action based on incorrect information.Hiring a PI may cost more upfront—anywhere from $199 for a basic identity verification to $400+ for an in-depth locate—but you’re paying for verified results, experience, and legal compliance. In most serious cases, the real cost is in not getting it right.&nbsp; When You Should Choose a Private Investigator Instead If any of the following apply, you’ll want a licensed PI—not a search site:<ul><li>You’re trying to serve court papers or recover a debt.</li><li>You believe the person is actively avoiding being found.</li><li>You only have limited or outdated information (like a nickname or old email).</li><li>You need results fast and can’t afford to be wrong.</li><li>You want to make sure the contact process follows legal privacy protocols. &nbsp;<h3>Protecting Your Case—and Your Reputation</h3></li></ul>One of the biggest risks with relying on people search sites is acting on faulty info. If you’re trying to serve legal documents or resolve a family estate matter, you could face legal complications if you contact the wrong person or violate someone’s privacy.A licensed PI ensures accuracy, privacy compliance, and professionalism throughout the process.<h3>&nbsp; Looking for Verified Results? Work with a Local PI Who Knows New York</h3> At Easton Secure Solutions LLC, we specialize in skip tracing, identity verification, and locating individuals across New York City, Long Island as well as Nationwide. As a New York-licensed private investigator, we go beyond basic searches to deliver results that matter—ethically and legally.Whether you’re dealing with a sensitive family issue, a legal matter, or a need for answers, we’re here to help.✅ Basic Locate or Identity Check&nbsp; ✅ Enhanced Reports – Includes OSINT, social media, and facial match ✅ Fully Verified, Human-Led Investigations&nbsp; Ready for Real Answers? Skip the generic search engines and speak to a licensed professional.📞 Call us at (516) 962-1267 📧 Email: eastonpro@eastonsecuresolutions.comVisit our <a data-mce-href="https://eastonsecuresolutions.com/person-locates" href="https://eastonsecuresolutions.com/person-locates">Skip Tracing Services</a> or <a data-mce-href="https://eastonsecuresolutions.com/background-checks" href="https://eastonsecuresolutions.com/background-checks">Identity Verification</a> pages to learn more.&nbsp; Don’t waste time on questionable data—hire a licensed PI who gets results.

Hiring a PI vs. Using People Search Websites: What’s the Real Difference?

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In a world where people move often, relationships shift, and families sometimes lose touch, reuniting with a loved one can feel impossible. Whether it’s a long-lost sibling, an estranged parent, or even a childhood friend you’ve drifted away from, the emotional need to reconnect is powerful—and understandable. Fortunately, hiring a private investigator (PI) can be one of the most effective and ethical ways to find that missing person.At Easton Secure Solutions LLC, we’ve helped countless people in New York and across the region locate family members and reconnect with them in a safe, respectful, and compassionate way.In this blog, we’ll explore exactly how private investigators help reunite families, why people choose to work with professionals like us, and how you can take the next step if you’re ready to find someone.<h3>Why Do Families Lose Touch?</h3> Before we dive into the process of how PIs can help, it’s important to understand how family members lose touch in the first place. It happens more often than people realize, and for many reasons:<ul><li>Family disputes or estrangement</li><li>Divorce or remarriage, leading to separation of siblings</li><li>Relocation to another city, state, or country</li><li>Adoption situations</li><li>Loss of contact over time due to busy lives</li><li>Substance abuse or mental health challenges</li><li>Changes in names due to marriage, adoption, or personal choice</li></ul> In each of these situations, searching on your own can quickly become overwhelming. Basic Google searches often hit dead ends, and social media might not offer the full picture—or even any trace at all. That’s where professional skip tracing and investigative techniques come in.<h3>What Is Skip Tracing?</h3> Skip tracing is the process of locating a person’s whereabouts using a variety of data sources, investigative tools, and advanced research techniques. While the term “skip tracing” is often used in collections or legal work, it’s also one of the most effective tools private investigators use to reunite families.At Easton Secure Solutions LLC, we specialize in ethical, legal skip tracing to help clients find missing or estranged family members. We only use verified, lawful resources to ensure the integrity of our work.<h3>Skip tracing often involves:</h3><ul><li>Reviewing public records and databases<ul><li>This can include court records, property ownership, voter registrations, and more.</li></ul></li><li>Analyzing social media and online presence<ul><li>People leave digital footprints even if they don’t realize it.</li></ul></li><li>Conducting OSINT (Open Source Intelligence) searches<ul><li>OSINT involves gathering publicly available information online through advanced research methods.</li></ul></li><li>Interviewing known associates or family members<ul><li>In some cases, talking to people who may have remained in contact helps piece together someone’s location or situation.</li></ul></li><li>Facial recognition technology (in certain cases)<ul><li>Our Enhanced Identity Verification option offers facial recognition to confirm identities, especially helpful if you have an old photo but no current contact information.</li></ul></li></ul><h3> Why Hire a Private Investigator Instead of Searching on Your Own?</h3> With all the technology at your fingertips, you might wonder: “Can’t I just do this myself?”While it’s true that some people successfully reconnect through social media or family connections, there are several reasons why hiring a PI makes the process faster, safer, and more reliable:<ul><li>Access to Verified Databases<ul><li>Private investigators like us have access to proprietary databases that are not available to the general public. These tools help us verify identities, find current addresses, and connect the dots between records.</li></ul></li><li>Avoiding False Leads<ul><li>Searching online often brings up outdated or misleading information. A skilled PI knows how to filter through the noise to get to the truth.</li></ul></li><li>Privacy and Consent Are Priorities<ul><li>Especially in non-court-related family cases, the privacy rights of the person being located are critical. In these situations, once we’ve confirmed we’ve found the right person, we must first contact that individual directly. We’ll inform them that someone wishes to reconnect and provide them with your information—but only if they agree to it.</li></ul></li></ul>&nbsp;Your loved one has a legal and ethical right to choose whether they want to reconnect. This protects everyone involved from privacy violations and ensures that any reunion is wanted and welcomed.<ul><li>Efficiency<ul><li>What could take you months or years to search on your own can often be completed by a professional in a matter of weeks—or sooner.</li></ul></li><li>Legal and Ethical Compliance<ul><li>Especially in New York, where privacy laws are taken seriously, working with a licensed investigator ensures you’re doing things the right way.</li></ul></li></ul><h3> Real Reasons People Hire Private Investigators to Find Family</h3> Our clients come to us for deeply personal reasons. Some examples include:<ul><li>Locating a biological parent or sibling in an adoption case</li><li>Finding an estranged family member for important medical reasons, like sharing genetic health information</li><li>Reuniting with a child they placed for adoption years ago</li><li>Searching for a parent or grandparent who left the family decades ago</li><li>Helping resolve estate or probate matters involving family disputes over inheritance</li></ul> Every story is unique. What matters is that you have a compassionate professional on your side who will treat your case with the dignity and privacy it deserves.How Does the Process Work? If you’re considering hiring us to find a loved one, here’s what you can expect:<ol><li>Free Initial Consultation<ul><li>We’ll listen to your situation, ask clarifying questions, and determine whether your case is a good fit for our services.</li></ul></li><li>Strategy Development<ul><li>Based on what you know already, we’ll build a research strategy to maximize results.</li></ul></li><li>Research and Skip Tracing<ul><li>Our team will conduct the search using proprietary databases, OSINT, and other legal tools.</li></ul></li><li>Verification<ul><li>Once we’ve located a potential match, we verify that we’ve found the correct person.</li></ul></li><li>Direct Outreach to the Located Individual<ul><li>For non-court-related searches, we will contact the person directly first. We will explain that someone is trying to reconnect and provide your contact details—only if they consent. If they decline, their decision is respected.</li></ul></li><li>Your Decision<ul><li>If they agree to contact you, you can move forward in a way that feels right for you both.</li></ul></li></ol><h3>Why Choose Easton Secure Solutions LLC?</h3> At Easton Secure Solutions LLC, we’re proud to be a New York State licensed private investigation firm that prioritizes honesty, empathy, and professionalism in every case we take on. Providing in-person locating services in New York City and Long Island with remote services available within New York State as well as Nationwide. We’re experts with deep knowledge of the communities we serve.We don’t take shortcuts, and we don’t compromise on ethics. If you’ve been thinking about reconnecting with a loved one but didn’t know where to start—we’re here to help.Ready to Take the Next Step? Don’t let another year go by wondering what could have been. If you’re ready to search for a missing family member, we’ll help guide you through the process with care, confidentiality, and professionalism.Contact us today for a free consultation. &nbsp;📞 Call: (516) 962-1267 &nbsp;📧 Email: eastonpro@eastonsecuresolutions.comVisit our other blogs to learn more about how we can help:<a href="https://eastonsecuresolutions.com/blog/the-process-of-person-locating--from-start-to-finish" data-mce-href="https://eastonsecuresolutions.com/blog/the-process-of-person-locating--from-start-to-finish">the-process-of-person-locating--from-start-to-finish</a><a href="https://eastonsecuresolutions.com/blog/skip-tracing-in-new-york--when-you-need-to-find-someone--the-right-way" data-mce-href="https://eastonsecuresolutions.com/blog/skip-tracing-in-new-york--when-you-need-to-find-someone--the-right-way">skip-tracing-in-new-york--when-you-need-to-find-someone--the-right-way</a> Your family story isn’t over yet—and we can help you write the next chapter.

How Private Investigators Help Reunite Families in New York

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Introduction: If you’ve ever tried to serve someone with court papers only to have them dodge every attempt, you know how frustrating and stressful it can be. Whether you’re involved in a civil lawsuit, divorce proceedings, or need to serve someone with a subpoena, avoiding service of process is unfortunately very common.But here’s the good news: hiring a licensed private investigator (PI) can make the difference between chasing your tail and getting the job done. In New York—and especially in busy areas like NYC and Long Island—many individuals go out of their way to hide, making it almost impossible for process servers to complete the job. This is where experienced private investigators come in.So, can a PI help you serve someone who’s avoiding court papers? Absolutely. And in this post, I’ll break down exactly how and why.<h3>Why Do People Avoid Being Served?</h3> Before we get into how a PI can help, it’s important to understand why people avoid being served in the first place:<ul><li>Fear of legal consequences – They know the documents could lead to a judgment, garnishment, or eviction.</li><li>Divorce or custody disputes – One spouse may try to delay proceedings.</li><li>Debt-related lawsuits – Debtors often go off the radar to avoid paying what they owe.</li><li>Business lawsuits – Business owners sometimes evade service to stall litigation.</li></ul>Some people will go to great lengths: changing addresses, using family members to lie for them, switching cars, or only showing up at odd hours. It’s frustrating, but it’s not impossible to overcome.<h3>What a PI Can Do That a Regular Process Server Can’t</h3> While a standard process server is good at delivering routine legal papers, they usually don’t have the advanced investigative tools or skills needed to find someone who’s actively hiding.That’s where private investigators come in. At Easton Secure Solutions LLC, we specialize in skip tracing—the process of finding people who don’t want to be found. And unlike standard process servers, licensed PIs in New York are legally authorized to use a variety of investigative tools, databases, and strategies to locate evasive individuals.Here’s how we do it:1. Advanced Skip Tracing Techniques Skip tracing goes far beyond a simple online search. Our methods include:<ul><li>Database research using proprietary sources</li><li>Social media analysis for recent activity or locations</li><li>Utility and property record checks</li><li>Cross-referencing known associates</li><li>Phone number and email tracing</li><li>Real-time address monitoring</li></ul>Many people think they can hide by simply changing their phone number or going off Facebook, but we know how to follow the digital breadcrumbs they don’t even realize they’re leaving behind.2. Surveillance If skip tracing leads us close, but not close enough, physical <a data-mce-href="https://eastonsecuresolutions.com/surveillance" href="https://eastonsecuresolutions.com/surveillance">surveillance</a> may be used to confirm someone’s presence at an address. We watch for patterns: who comes and goes, when they show up, what vehicles they use. This allows us to time the delivery perfectly.For example, if someone only comes home after dark or uses a side door, we’ll know—and we’ll be there.3. Undercover Tactics Sometimes, evasive individuals will only answer the door for specific types of visitors. A skilled PI can use lawful pretexting techniques to make lawful contact in a professional and ethical manner. This might mean appearing as a delivery person or using legitimate excuses to confirm identity before completing service.4. Working with Process Servers At Easton Secure Solutions LLC, we collaborate directly with professional, licensed process servers to make sure the job is completed properly. Once we locate the individual, we either serve the papers ourselves if allowed under licensing rules, or we hand off to a process server who works closely with us.The result? Fewer delays, faster results, and a properly documented service.<h3>Why Not Just Hire a Process Server Alone?</h3> Standard process servers can do a good job if the person being served is cooperative or easy to locate. But if someone is actively avoiding service, it quickly becomes a job for an investigator. PIs are trained in gathering information from multiple sources and can handle complex cases that go beyond the abilities of an everyday server.Plus, in tricky cases, courts want to see due diligence. Using a licensed PI demonstrates to the court that you’ve taken every reasonable measure to attempt service before moving on to alternatives like substitute service or service by publication.<h3>Legal and Ethical Considerations</h3> Everything we do at Easton Secure Solutions LLC is fully compliant with New York State laws. We do not use illegal methods, impersonations, or unauthorized surveillance. Instead, we rely on:<ul><li>Licensed databases</li><li>Legal pretexting</li><li>Open-source intelligence (OSINT)</li><li>Surveillance in public areas</li></ul>When you hire a PI to help serve court papers, you’re also protecting the integrity of your case. Improper service can delay your case or even get it dismissed. Our experience helps ensure everything is documented properly.<h3>Real-World Example</h3> Here’s a real-life example (details changed for privacy):A client in Queens was trying to serve court papers on a former business partner who owed him over $50,000. The process server made three visits to the last known address, but the man’s girlfriend kept saying he wasn’t there.We were brought in, conducted a skip trace, and discovered the man had recently registered a new car to a different address in Nassau County. After several evenings of surveillance, we identified his routine and coordinated with the process server to successfully complete service during one of his late-night arrivals.Without investigative help, that case would’ve dragged on indefinitely.<h3>Can a PI Guarantee Service?</h3> No ethical investigator will guarantee they can serve someone who is avoiding service. But what we can guarantee is that we will use every legal, ethical, and professional strategy available to find them and attempt service.In cases where someone truly cannot be found despite exhaustive efforts, your attorney may petition the court for alternative service methods, and our reports will serve as strong evidence of your diligent search efforts.Ready to Get Started? If you’re dealing with someone who’s actively avoiding service of process, don’t leave your case to chance. Get help from a licensed New York private investigator who specializes in exactly these kinds of situations.📞 Call Easton Secure Solutions LLC today at (516) 962-1267 📧 Or email us at <a href="mailto:eastonpro@eastonsecuresolutions.com">eastonpro@eastonsecuresolutions.com</a>We proudly serve in person within New York City and Long Island and the rest of New Yorl State remotely. All conducted with the skills, experience, and determination to help you move your case forward.

Can a PI Help Me Serve Someone Who’s Avoiding Court Papers?

When all you have is a phone number and a lot of unanswered questions, it’s easy to feel stuck. Maybe someone ghosted you after a financial agreement, maybe a witness stopped returning calls, or maybe you just want to reconnect with someone who’s disappeared from your life. Either way, you're wondering: Can a private investigator really find someone with just their phone number?The answer: Yes, in many cases—we can.At Easton Secure Solutions LLC, we specialize in legally and ethically locating individuals, even when our starting point is minimal. A single phone number—especially a mobile one—can often unlock a web of data that leads us directly to the subject.<h3>&nbsp; What a Phone Number Can Reveal</h3> Most people don’t realize how much can be tied to a phone number. With the right access to proprietary data sources, investigators can:<ol><li>Identify the name and address linked to the number</li><li>Detect carrier information (landline, VoIP, or mobile)</li><li>See if the number is associated with online accounts</li><li>Discover related individuals and connected devices</li><li>Track changes in ownership or usage over time</li></ol>This type of information is not available through free lookup tools or public websites. While those can give surface-level data, they’re rarely accurate or up to date. At Easton Secure Solutions, we use Tier 1 skip tracing data and legal credit header searches that go much deeper.<h3>&nbsp; Can You Find Someone With Only a Burner Phone?</h3> It depends. Disposable phones, burner apps, and VoIP numbers present more of a challenge. But even those can leave behind a digital trail—especially if they’ve ever been tied to:<ul><li>A financial transaction</li><li>Social media</li><li>Delivery services (like Uber, DoorDash, Amazon)</li><li>Wi-Fi login locations</li><li>Online forms or job applications</li></ul>In these situations, our OSINT (Open Source Intelligence) tools become key. We dig through public records, online activity, and behavioral patterns to connect the dots and verify identities.<h3>&nbsp; What We Need From You to Begin</h3> Even if the phone number is all you have, we’ll ask a few quick questions to help guide the search:<ol><li>Is the number still active?</li><li>How did you get the number (e.g., call logs, message history)?</li><li>Do you have any idea where the person was located when you last had contact?</li><li>Any context about your relationship to the individual or reason for the search?</li><li>And if you have any additional details—like a first name, email, city, or photo—it can make our work even faster and more precise. But again, we’ve successfully located people with just a phone number many times.</li></ol><h3>&nbsp; When Would You Want to Find Someone by Phone Number?</h3> Some common reasons our clients reach out with only a number include:<ul><li>Debt recovery – A borrower disappears and stops answering calls</li><li>Missing persons – A family member or old friend hasn’t been seen in years</li><li>Business fraud – A client or vendor vanishes after a bad transaction</li><li>Legal process service – A subject must be located to serve court papers</li><li>Heir or witness location – Someone important to a case can’t be reached</li></ul>Whether it’s a civil matter or a personal one, our goal is to help you move forward with facts—not frustration.<h3>&nbsp; Is It Legal to Locate Someone Using a Phone Number?</h3> Yes—when done for a permissible purpose and handled by a licensed investigator. At Easton Secure Solutions LLC, we strictly follow all legal and ethical guidelines. We never hack phones, use spyware, or cross privacy boundaries.Instead, we rely on a combination of:<ul><li>Licensed data systems</li><li>Public record analysis</li><li>Behavioral tracking</li><li>OSINT (Open Source Intelligence)</li><li>Social and professional network mapping</li></ul>This ensures that your search is completely lawful, which is especially important if the information may be used in court or as part of a legal dispute.&nbsp; Real-World Case Example A recent client came to us with just a phone number and a vague first name. They had loaned money to someone they met online, who then vanished without repaying. The number had stopped working, but we were able to trace it through multiple databases and confirm a link to a real identity—including a residential address in New York.Our client was then able to file a claim and begin the legal process of recovery.<h3>&nbsp; Final Thoughts</h3> A single phone number may seem like a small lead—but in the hands of a licensed private investigator, it can open the door to real answers. Whether you’re dealing with a financial loss, a legal situation, or just want closure, you don’t have to chase shadows alone.&nbsp; Need to find someone with just a phone number? Easton Secure Solutions LLC is here to help.<ul><li>📞 Call us today at (516) 962-1267</li><li>📧 Email: <a href="mailto:eastonpro@eastonsecuresolutions.com">eastonpro@eastonsecuresolutions.com</a></li><li>🌐 Visit: <a href="https://eastonsecuresolutions.com">https://eastonsecuresolutions.com</a></li></ul>Licensed. Ethical. Results-driven. Serving New York City and Long Island. Remote Services Available Nationwide

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