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Our understanding of what private investigators do for work mostly comes from watching movies. The media typically portrays PIs as mysterious, cunning, morally ambiguous, and lawless agents who spend their workdays chain-smoking and following people dressed in khaki trench coats. While this depiction is certainly fascinating and entertaining, it has led to many misconceptions about what they actually do.

To clear some things up about this profession, two private investigators on Reddit invited people to ask them anything and answered as best as they could. Scroll down to see for yourself the secrets they revealed and myths they debunked, and don’t forget to upvote the ones that surprised you the most.

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#1

Online discussion where private investigators answer questions about finding missing people in their mysterious profession.

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michaellargey avatar
Michael Largey
Michael Largey
Community Member
3 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Or are just highly skilled introverts.

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    #2

    User asking about a case refused by private investigators due to inexperience with homicides and ethical concerns.

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    michaellargey avatar
    Michael Largey
    Michael Largey
    Community Member
    3 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Wouldn't that be a police matter, as the cops always point out to the PI in movies?

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    #3

    Private investigators answering questions about carrying guns on the job and following civilian gun laws.

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    #4

    Screenshot of an online Q&A where private investigators discuss using software and avoiding online sources to locate people.

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    #5

    Screenshot of a conversation about private investigators discussing evidence admissibility and client expectations in their profession.

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    #6

    Online conversation showing private investigators discussing their work and similarities to bounty hunters.

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    johngrimes avatar
    Uncle Panda
    Uncle Panda
    Community Member
    3 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    My perfect match would be a woman who wants a partner who's somewhat gnomish and a force to be reckoned. Turns out to be a very rare combination.

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    #7

    Reddit conversation showing a female private investigator discussing challenges and perceptions in the profession.

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    #8

    Questions and answers about private investigators and their work on cases involving infidelity and missing persons.

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    #9

    Online conversation where private investigators answer questions about their profession and consultation costs.

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    #10

    Conversation about how private investigators advise checking for car tracking devices under license plates.

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    #11

    Reddit conversation where private investigators share unusual reasons they were hired, highlighting their mysterious profession.

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    lauralawson_3 avatar
    Laura Lawson
    Laura Lawson
    Community Member
    3 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Not a dumb reason to me! I'd raise hell & earth if one of my cats was lost.

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    #12

    Online discussion showing private investigators answering questions about their mysterious profession and investigative fees.

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    #13

    Screenshot of a discussion where private investigators answer questions about their mysterious profession and experiences.

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    #14

    Alt text: Private investigators answering questions about infidelity cases and involvement with escorts in an online Q&A discussion.

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    #15

    Reddit thread where private investigators answer questions about their mysterious profession with case stories and experiences shared.

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    #16

    Screenshot of a conversation discussing the safety and pay of private investigators starting their careers.

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    #17

    Online discussion where private investigators answer questions about infidelity with insights into their mysterious profession.

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    #18

    Question and answer about how to become private investigators, discussing training and licensing in the profession.

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    sarah_a_tate avatar
    Upstaged75
    Upstaged75
    Community Member
    3 months ago (edited) Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Hmm. Sounds way more interesting than my job!

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    #19

    Conversation between private investigators discussing a knee injury related to their mysterious profession.

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    kieleahar_1 avatar
    KieLeaHar
    KieLeaHar
    Community Member
    3 months ago (edited) Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    They can’t even spell vollEyball…. I remain sceptical.

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    #20

    Screenshot of a conversation where a private investigator confirms keeping presence of mind and noting everything around them.

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    #21

    Reddit conversation showing a private investigator answering questions about their work and minor crimes committed.

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    #22

    Reddit Q&A showing private investigators frequently handling spouse cheating and insurance cases.

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    #23

    Reddit user suzieQ90 discussing how private investigators respond when caught during investigations.

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    #24

    Screenshot of a Q&A discussing how private investigators use people’s habits and routines in their investigations.

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    #25

    Reddit user discusses pay for private investigators, mentioning an annual income of about 60k and financial stability from the profession.

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    sarah_a_tate avatar
    Upstaged75
    Upstaged75
    Community Member
    3 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    For a single person in my area those are nearly poverty wages. Sad right?

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    #26

    Reddit Q&A showing private investigators answering questions about legal boundaries in their mysterious profession.

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    #27

    Conversation about private investigators sharing tips on personal privacy, including using VPNs and cautious social media posting.

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    #28

    Reddit users discuss a scenario involving private investigators and the mysterious nature of their profession.

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    #29

    Reddit conversation where private investigators answer questions about threats and personal security risks in their profession.

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    #30

    Reddit conversation where private investigators answer questions about their profession's limitations and work schedule.

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    #31

    Reddit conversation where a private investigator answers questions about tools, dangers, and starting in the profession.

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    #32

    Conversation between private investigators answering questions about their mysterious profession and tricky cases involving infidelity.

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    #33

    Conversation showing users asking casual questions answered by a private investigator about their mysterious profession.

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    missal_warrior_0c avatar
    and_a_touch_of_the_’tism
    and_a_touch_of_the_’tism
    Community Member
    3 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I feel like a Ferrari would be way too noticeable if a good chunk of your job is following people…

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    #34

    Reddit user asks private investigator about common clients, with response highlighting wives as frequent clients in private investigators profession.

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    #35

    Conversation on Reddit about private investigators discussing their experience with missing persons cold cases in their profession.

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    #36

    Conversation about private investigators’ mysterious profession with noir-style atmosphere and classic detective imagery.

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    #37

    Private investigators sharing stories about fun and memorable cases from their mysterious profession online.

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    #38

    Online discussion featuring a private investigator answering questions about their mysterious profession and career start.

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    #39

    Reddit Q&A discussing private investigators, friendships with clients, and personal experiences in the mysterious profession.

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    #40

    Screenshot of a Reddit conversation where private investigators discuss their work, specialization, and interesting cases.

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    #41

    Screenshot of a Reddit conversation revealing how private investigators answer questions about their mysterious profession.

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    #42

    Alt text: Conversation about private investigators asking children for information, raising questions about their professional conduct.

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    #43

    Conversation between users discussing the differences in information found by private investigators versus regular people.

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    #44

    Reddit exchange where a private investigator discusses their experience with m****r cases and career influences like Scooby-Doo.

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    #45

    Reddit user answering questions about Courtney Love and Kurt Cobain, illustrating private investigators answering questions.

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    #46

    Screenshot of an online Q&A where private investigators discuss gender diversity in their mysterious profession.

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    #47

    Conversation about private investigators and the common misconception related to ex-law enforcement backgrounds.

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    #48

    Discussion about private investigators and their mysterious profession including being followed and investigated by PIs.

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    #49

    Conversation about true crime podcasts and insights from private investigators on their mysterious profession.

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    #50

    User asking about concealing microphones and cameras, private investigator explaining using dash cams, cameras, and hidden devices in their work.

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    #51

    Conversation between private investigators discussing challenges in investigating experienced or paranoid individuals.

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    #52

    Screenshot of an online discussion where private investigators answer questions about their legal counsel and forensic experience.

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    #53

    Screenshot of a Q&A where private investigators discuss carrying weapons and following civilian gun laws.

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    #54

    Online discussion about private investigators answering questions on background checks and related security risks.

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    #55

    Discussion on phone hacking concerns with private investigators answering questions about their mysterious profession.

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    #56

    Reddit Q&A discussing private investigators and insights about becoming and working in the private investigator profession.

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    #57

    Reddit Q&A where private investigators discuss carrying weapons like pistols, pepper spray, and tasers in the US.

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    #58

    Screenshot of an online discussion where private investigators answer questions about their experience and pricing.

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    #59

    Reddit Q&A discussing tips from private investigators on how to avoid being found by changing daily patterns and clothing.

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    sarah_a_tate avatar
    Upstaged75
    Upstaged75
    Community Member
    3 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Sounds like the person who asked that question is trying to hide something. 😂

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    #60

    Screenshot of an online Q&A where private investigators discuss payment rates for cases in their mysterious profession.

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    #61

    Online discussion showing private investigators answering questions about their mysterious profession and diverse backgrounds.

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    #62

    Reddit conversation discussing how private investigators enter the field and tips for those interested in the profession.

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    #63

    Reddit AMA text where private investigators discuss their military backgrounds and work schedules in the PI profession.

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    #64

    Conversation about private investigator rates, discussing payment plans and typical charges for cases in the investigation profession.

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    #65

    Reddit conversation about advice for aspiring private investigators with no prior experience beyond sales.

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    #66

    Screenshot of an online discussion with users commenting about personal preferences and casual remarks involving private investigators.

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    #67

    Online conversation where private investigators answer questions about their mysterious profession and offer advice.

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    #68

    Screenshot of a Q&A discussing private investigators and modern PI work involving social media as a resource.

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    #69

    Reddit conversation where private investigators answer questions about their mysterious profession and cases.

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    #70

    Screenshot of a Q&A where private investigators explain the accuracy of information they provide to clients.

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    #71

    Conversation about private investigators discussing curiosity-driven use of PI tools and ethical boundaries in the profession.

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    #72

    Reddit Q&A where a private investigator discusses clients hiring PIs to investigate cheating spouses in the private investigators profession.

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    nilsskirnir avatar
    Nils Skirnir
    Nils Skirnir
    Community Member
    3 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Or women are smarter about hiding it than men.

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    #73

    Reddit conversation showing private investigators answering questions about the saddest things they've seen on the job.

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    #74

    Conversation about favorite private investigator fiction and entertainment, highlighting PI portrayals in media.

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    #75

    Reddit discussion showing questions and answers about working part-time as private investigators in the mysterious profession.

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    #76

    Reddit user asks about cases handled by private investigators, mentioning infidelity and insurance fraud as examples.

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    #77

    Online Q&A discussion on how private investigators learn job skills and enter the mysterious profession.

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