If you live in Atlanta, Georgia, and you're facing a personal or business problem that you can’t solve on your own, you might have thought about getting help. One type of help people often turn to is a private investigator, also called a PI.
A private investigator is someone you hire to find out facts. They help people find missing persons, check if someone is cheating, or even look into business scams. They work quietly and follow the law to gather truth.
Fact: There are over 35,000 private investigation companies in the United States today. That shows how common it is for people to hire them.
Let’s now understand clearly what private investigators do and why regular people, just like you and me, hire them.
What Is a Private Investigator?
A private investigator is a trained and licensed person who gathers information for their clients. People hire them to look into problems they can’t fix alone.
They don’t work for the police or government. Instead, they work privately for:
Individuals
Businesses
Lawyers
They use tools like cameras, computer searches, and interviews to find the truth.
In Atlanta, they must follow Georgia’s rules and have a license to do investigations.
What Kind of Work Do Private Investigators Do?
Private investigators in Atlanta help in many types of cases. Below are the most common types of work they handle.
1. Watching Someone Without Being Seen (Surveillance)
Sometimes, people need to know what someone is doing when they’re not around. A private investigator can quietly follow that person and watch their actions.
For example:
A wife thinks her husband is cheating
A boss thinks a worker is lying about being sick
A company wants to know if an employee is stealing
The PI will follow that person, take photos or videos, and report what they saw.
2. Checking Someone’s Past (Background Checks)
This means looking into someone’s history.
Reasons people ask for this:
Hiring a new worker
Dating someone new
Renting out a house
Starting a business with a partner
The PI checks if the person has a criminal record, if they are telling the truth about who they are, and if they have any hidden problems.
Steps a PI follows:
Ask the client for the person’s full name and details
Search public and private records
Create a simple report of their findings
3. Finding Missing People
Private investigators also help find people who are hard to locate. This includes:
Runaway teens
People who owe money and vanished
Old friends or family members
Missing heirs in property cases
They use phone records, social media, past addresses, and local contacts to trace the person.
Note: This is different from a police search. Private investigators look into cases where the police may not be able to help due to limits in their resources.
4. Checking if a Partner Is Cheating
One of the most common reasons people hire Private investigators in Atlanta is to find out if their partner is cheating.
If you feel your partner is acting different or hiding things, a PI can find out what’s going on—without them knowing.
Fact: In Georgia, proof of cheating can be used in divorce cases. It can even affect who gets what. (Georgia Divorce Code §19-5-3)
5. Helping with Child Custody Cases
Sometimes, parents are fighting over who should keep the child. If one parent is doing unsafe things, the other parent may hire a PI to get proof.
This might include:
Drinking or using drugs around the child
Leaving the child alone
Living with someone dangerous
PIs gather videos, photos, or witness statements to show what is happening.
6. Looking Into Business Fraud
Business owners in Atlanta also hire PIs to check if:
Employees are stealing money or goods
Partners are lying about the business
Vendors are charging for services not given
PIs can go undercover, do background checks, and check business records to find the truth.
Why Do People Hire Private Investigators Instead of Doing It Themselves?
You might wonder, “Can’t I just do this myself?”
Here’s why hiring a PI is better:
1. They Know the Law
PIs are trained in how to do things legally. If you try to follow someone or dig into private records yourself, you could break the law.
2. They Know Where to Look
Private investigators have access to special tools and databases that regular people don’t. They can find facts faster and more accurately.
3. They Stay Calm and Unnoticed
Let’s say you try to follow your partner. You might get nervous, or they might notice. A PI is trained to stay hidden and calm.
4. They Provide Proof You Can Use
In court, you can’t just say, “I think this happened.” You need real proof. A PI provides photos, videos, and reports that are accepted in court.
How Much Does a Private Investigator Cost in Atlanta?
Prices can vary based on the type of case and how long it takes.
Typical costs:
Hourly rate: $75–$125
Basic background check: $300–$500
Full infidelity case with surveillance: $1,000 or more
Tip: Always ask for a price list or written contract before starting.
What to Ask Before Hiring a PI in Georgia
Before you hire someone, ask these simple questions:
Are you licensed in Georgia?
How many years have you done this work?
Have you handled similar cases?
How will you share the results with me?
Do you use legal methods only?
How much will it cost?
How to Know If a Private Investigator Is Licensed in Georgia?
In Georgia, private investigators must be licensed by the state. This means they passed background checks, training, and work under an approved agency.
To check their license, visit the Georgia Secretary of State’s website.
Important: Never hire an unlicensed PI. Their evidence may not be allowed in court, and they could get you in legal trouble.
What Tools Do Private Investigators Use?
Private investigators use new gadgets and good people skills to find the truth.
Hidden cameras
GPS trackers (legal in certain cases)
Public and private records databases
Social media monitoring
Interviews and questioning
Long hours of quiet observation
They are trained to use these tools in a smart and legal way.
Key Takeaways (In Simple Words)
A private investigator is someone you hire to find facts you can’t find yourself.
People in Atlanta hire PIs for many reasons: cheating, missing people, business fraud, or family problems.
PIs know the law, use special tools, and stay out of sight.
They give you real proof you can use in court or for your own peace of mind.
Always make sure your PI is licensed in Georgia.
Hiring a PI saves you time, stress, and risk.
Quick Fact
According to Statista, nearly 1 in 4 U.S. adults say they’ve thought about hiring a private investigator.
Need Answers? Don’t Guess. Hire a Pro.
If you're unsure about someone’s truthfulness or need help solving a personal matter, a private investigator may be the best step. Just make sure they’re licensed, experienced, and transparent.
In Atlanta, Capital One Consulting’s trusted & professional ready to help you—quietly, legally, and effectively.
Because sometimes, peace of mind is worth everything.
Sources Used in This Blog
Written By: Capital One Consulting
Founder and CEO: Gregory Porter
We are Capital One Consulting, a private investigation and security company based in Atlanta, Georgia. Our team has worked in law enforcement for 100 years. We help with background checks, family problems, missing people, business issues, and more.We work 24/7, keep your information safe, and focus on giving you clear answers and real results. Every case is handled with care, honesty, and full privacy.
Website: capital1consulting.com
Email:greg.porter@capital1consulting.com
Call or Text Anytime: +14705321702
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