Checkmate Strategic Services LLC believes that the best way to establish trust with clients is through transparency and the clear alignment of expectations. While assignments may be different, successful outcomes always result from open collaboration between the client and the investigator.
The information below is offered to familiarize you with Checkmate’s business practices and expectations.
Guarantees
Checkmate will skillfully and faithfully conduct investigative and / or security services on your behalf and in your interests. Outcomes, however, cannot be guaranteed. The result of surveillance work in particular is impacted by timing and resources available to carry out the assignment. Similarly, investigative findings reflect information legally available to the investigator at the time of the investigation. The facts will lead where they may, and it is possible that information obtained may not be that desired by the client.
Payment
Checkmate generally operates on a retainer basis. Clients provide a deposit to begin work, based on Checkmate’s estimate of the time the assignment will require. All charges are debited from the retainer. If the initial retainer is depleted before the client’s objectives are achieved, Checkmate will request additional funds. Any funds remaining upon completion of the assignment will be returned to the client. Payment cannot be contingent on any particular investigative outcome or result, nor on the client being paid by a third party.
Confidentiality
Information provided by clients or obtained by Checkmate during the investigation shall be treated as confidential and disclosed only to the client or as required by law. Communications between Checkmate and our clients are treated as confidential. Checkmate is not responsible for any damages which might be incurred as a result of a client disclosing confidential investigative findings to third parties.
Expectations of Clients
Checkmate’s ability to successfully provide services requires client participation. Clients complete an Investigative Assignment Request form and provide copies of relevant documents (accident reports, court orders, complaints, etc.) before Checkmate starts work. This helps to ensure efficiency and keeps costs to a minimum. Checkmate asks to be notified in writing if objectives or requirements change during the course of the investigation, and that clients respond to Checkmate’s communications within a reasonable time.
As an ethically-grounded investigative agency, Checkmate strives to protect the rights of everyone involved in a case. Before accepting an assignment Checkmate will seek the client’s certification that information they receive from an investigation will not be used to cause any physical or emotional harm to the subject of the investigation and, similarly, that the results of Checkmate’s investigative work will not be used (directly or indirectly) for any malicious or illegal purposes including harassment, stalking, threatening, or intimidation.
Reporting
Checkmate will promptly comply with reasonable requests for information during the course of the investigation. However, report composition time is charged at the same rate as investigation casework. Unless directed otherwise, Checkmate will provide a written report summarizing its findings along with applicable photos or video taken upon conclusion of the investigation.
Surveillance
While Checkmate strives to provide the highest quality images and recordings, video or photographic quality can vary due to long distances involved, unusual locations and/or difficult weather or traffic conditions. Checkmate adheres to all federal and state privacy laws. No audio recordings will be made during surveillance.
Subject Locates, Missing Persons
Although most locate requests are made with good intentions, it is not uncommon for investigators to be misled by clients in search of someone for less savory purposes. Adhering to ethical responsibilities for safeguarding vulnerable individuals and respecting privacy, Checkmate will thoroughly vet clients who seek to locate someone unrelated to an ongoing legal action or verifiable business purpose prior to accepting the assignment.
In the event that a private client would like Checkmate to locate someone for a non-commercial or non-legal purpose, Checkmate will locate the individual and provide that individual with the contact information of the client. The individual will make the decision to get in touch with the client, or not. The client will receive Checkmate’s certification that the individual was located and contacted but will not receive the individual’s contact information.
Use of Subcontractors or Additional Investigators
To fully meet a client’s objectives Checkmate may, at its sole discretion, use sub-contracted investigators or other specialists. Likewise, if a client’s interests are best served with multiple investigators on an assignment, Checkmate will advise the client of the situation and seek approval of the estimated additional costs involved. Multiple investigators might be required for difficult surveillance conditions (mobile surveillance, airports, busy public settings, sporting events, etc.) for example, or to meet the client’s security needs.
ACCURACY OF INFORMATION
Checkmate will take all due care to ensure that the client receives the most accurate information possible. Note some common friction points so we can seek to avoid them:
Checkmate uses proprietary information databases as part of its investigative toolkit. Database search results are based on information provided by the client. Errors in spelling or other details may result in wrong or contradictory results. When this happens, additional searches at the client’s expense could be needed to resolve discrepancies.
Sometimes an investigation results in information of uncertain provenance. In these cases, Checkmate will advise the client regarding additional steps which might be taken to validate the information or resolve uncertainties. It is always the client’s decision whether or not to invest more resources in verifying investigative findings.
Please understand that Checkmate cannot be held liable for inaccuracies contained in public record information or accessed databases.
Permissible Purpose
Some information may require a “permissible purpose” to access. Information in this category, defined by the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act (GLBA), Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act (FACTA), Driver’s Privacy Protection Act (DPPA), Right to Financial Privacy Act (RFPA) and applicable State and Federal laws, may or may not be available depending on the nature of the case. If the client has a permissible purpose and receives protected information, he or she is bound by law to safeguard it from unauthorized disclosure. Checkmate advises clients to consult an attorney before disclosing any information to third parties.