EXCALIBUR - Private Investigation Blog

"Love, Lies, and Surveillance: Private Investigators in Infidelity Cases"

5/31/2023

Cheating spouse investigators in Colorado

As a private investigator, conducting an infidelity investigation requires adhering to legal and ethical guidelines. While the specific requirements may vary depending on the jurisdiction, here are some general considerations:

Licensing: Ensure that you are properly licensed as a private investigator in your jurisdiction. Licensing requirements can vary, so it's important to understand and meet the specific criteria set by the relevant regulatory authority. If licensing isn’t required in your state, such as in Colorado, experience is paramount when selecting a private investigation firm to work on your case. At EXCALIBUR Private Investigation we have over 30+ years of combined federal law enforcement and private investigation experience with our team of investigators.

Consent: At EXCALIBUR Private Investigation, headquartered in Colorado Springs, we execute a written agreement outlining the scope and purpose of the investigation, as well as any limitations or restrictions, with all our clients. If the firm you’re considering doesn’t, run away, as fast as you can.

Legal Compliance: We conduct all investigations within the boundaries of the law and know what can, and just as importantly, can’t be done in an infidelity investigation.

Documentation: We maintain meticulous records of all activities observed during the investigation. This includes documenting dates, times, locations, individuals involved, and any relevant evidence or observations gathered. These records may be necessary if legal proceedings arise later.

Professional Conduct: EXCALIBUR conducts all of our investigations with professionalism, integrity, and discretion. We will not engage in any illegal activities or behaviors that could compromise the investigation or violate the privacy rights of individuals involved.

Surveillance Techniques: We utilize appropriate surveillance techniques to gather evidence. This may include discreetly monitoring the subject's activities, conducting background research, interviewing witnesses, and using audio and/or video recording devices and automobile tracking devices where legal and permissible.

Confidentiality: We maintain strict confidentiality regarding the details and findings of the investigation. EXCALIBUR always protects the privacy of our clients and the individuals involved, ensuring that information is disclosed only to those with a legitimate need to know.

It's crucial to consult with an experienced investigator familiar with the laws and regulations in your specific jurisdiction to ensure compliance with local requirements and ethical guidelines. Call EXCALIBUR Private Investigation, one of the premiere investigation firms in the country, and see how we can help you.

"Beyond Sherlock: 5 Skills That Set Elite Private Investigators Apart"

5/30/2023

Colorado Springs Private Investigators

A great private investigator must possess a combination of skills, traits, and qualities that enable them to excel in their profession. Here are five important attributes that the investigators of EXCALIBUR Private Investigation have that sets us apart from our competition:

1. Excellent Observation Skills: Private investigators must have keen observation skills to notice even the smallest details that others might overlook. They need to be observant, paying attention to people's behavior, body language, and the environment around them. This ability allows them to gather valuable information and clues during investigations.

2. Strong Analytical Thinking: Private investigators need to possess strong analytical thinking skills to assess and interpret the information they gather. They must be able to connect the dots, identify patterns, and draw logical conclusions from the data they collect. Analytical thinking helps them make informed decisions and solve complex cases effectively.

3. Discretion and Confidentiality: Maintaining discretion and confidentiality is crucial for a private investigator. They often deal with sensitive information and work on cases involving personal matters or legal issues. EXCALIBUR Private Investigation investigators understand the importance of privacy and handle all information we gather with utmost care and confidentiality.

4. Persistence and Determination: Investigations can be challenging and involve long hours of work, uncertainties, and obstacles. A great private investigator must be persistent and determined, not giving up easily in the face of adversity. They should have the drive and motivation to keep pushing forward until they obtain the required information or solve the case. Our investigators have it!

5. Effective Communication Skills: Private investigators interact with various individuals, including clients, witnesses, law enforcement, and legal professionals. Effective communication skills are essential to gather information, conduct interviews, and present findings. A great investigator should be able to communicate clearly, listen actively, and adapt their communication style to different situations and individuals. With a combined 30+ years of investigative experience, our investigators know how to get the information our clients are looking for.

These are just a few important qualities that contribute to a great private investigator. Other valuable traits may include resourcefulness, attention to detail, patience, and ethical conduct. Call today to speak with one of our investigators. We’re one of the top private investigation firms in the country and work cases throughout the state of Colorado and beyond. 719.208.4088

"Serving Justice: The Qualities of an Exceptional Process Server"

5/25/2023

Colorado Process Service

A good process service refers to the efficient and effective delivery of legal documents, such as subpoenas, summonses, complaints, or court orders, to individuals or parties involved in a legal proceeding. Here are some key factors that contribute to a good process service:

1. Reliability: A reliable process service ensures that the documents are delivered in a timely manner and within the specified deadlines. This includes prompt pick-up of documents from the client, diligent attempts to locate the recipient, and timely delivery of the papers. At EXCALIBUR Private Investigation we have a variety of options our clients can choose from depending on how urgent the service is.

2. Knowledge of legal requirements: A good process service provider should have a thorough understanding of the legal requirements and regulations pertaining to process serving in the relevant jurisdiction. This includes knowledge of proper serving methods, permissible locations for service, and any specific rules or restrictions that may apply.

3. Professionalism and discretion: Process servers should conduct themselves professionally and maintain a high level of discretion throughout the process. They should respect the privacy of the parties involved and handle the documents with confidentiality and sensitivity. At EXCALIBUR we maintain discretion in all aspects of our firm.

4. Effective communication: Clear and open communication is crucial in a good process service. The process server should keep the client informed about the progress of the service, provide updates on any challenges encountered, and promptly notify the client of successful service or any issues that may arise.

5. Diligent attempts at service: A good process server makes diligent and reasonable attempts to serve the intended recipient. This may involve conducting thorough research to locate the individual, making multiple attempts at different times and locations, and employing various strategies to ensure successful delivery. EXCALIBUR conducts thorough investigations to ensure our client’s time, and money, aren’t wasted on bad addresses.

6. Proper documentation: Detailed and accurate documentation is essential in process serving. The server should maintain proper records of all attempts made, dates and times of service attempts, descriptions of interactions, and any relevant observations. This documentation serves as evidence that the service was conducted in accordance with legal requirements.

7. Legal compliance: A good process service provider adheres to all relevant laws and regulations governing process serving. They should be aware of any updates or changes in the legal landscape and ensure that their methods and practices align with the current legal requirements.

8. Experience and expertise: Experience in process serving and knowledge of the local area can greatly contribute to a successful service. Experienced process servers understand the nuances of the job, are familiar with common challenges, and know how to navigate complex situations effectively.

Overall, a good process service involves professionalism, reliability, knowledge of legal requirements, effective communication, diligence, discretion, and adherence to legal compliance. By prioritizing these factors, process servers can provide a high-quality service that meets the needs of their clients and supports the legal process. At EXCALIBUR Private Investigation we put our 30+ years of experience to work on your service of process and to make sure your legal documents are served in a timely manner. Call us today to see how we can help you. 719.208.4088.

Where Do Private Investigators and Lawyers Intersect?

5/23/2023

Where Do Private Investigators and Lawyers Intersect?

Attorneys often work with private investigators for a variety of reasons. Those reasons might be case-related and help to balance the power prosecutors have when using police to investigate potential crimes. You may be curious as to how private investigators and lawyers work together. Here are a few common reasons why attorneys and private investigators work together.

Evidence Gathering

Lawyers often have private investigators collect evidence and investigate clients and opposition alike. Information is critically important for successful attorneys, and a private investigator can gather evidence that helps to win cases. For example, divorce cases might spur lawyers to use private investigators to get evidence of suspected adultery or other issues. According to Hack Spirit, infidelity causes nearly 70% of all divorces. Defense cases also can benefit from a private investigation that might reveal evidence that exonerates the accused.

Discover Hidden Assets

Another common use lawyers have for private investigators is to reveal hidden assets within a case. When couples divorce or when mothers seek child support from the fathers are two good examples of when an opposing party might want to hide assets from the court. Hiding financial assets or properties could protect them against a court-ordered divestiture or surrendering a significant amount due to a court order. A private investigator can find any hidden assets to help the lawyer with the case swiftly and professionally.

Locating Missing Persons

Attorneys might need to locate people whose whereabouts are unknown and who might have a significant impact on a legal matter. The individual might be a missing family member of a deceased owner of an estate or maybe someone evading being served papers for a pending lawsuit. Whatever the reason, a private investigator can help to locate that person. They can work together to complete a case quickly to give those in the community peace of mind.

You can learn more about how private investigators work and hire one for legal purposes by calling or sending an online message via our contact form located on our website.. At EXCALIBUR Private Investigation, we help those who need assistance with pending legal matters. We have a team of private investigators to help you and your lawyer with all aspects of your case.

How Does a Private Investigation Service Work on Missing Persons Cases?

4/17/2023

Client meeting with a private investigator

If you have a missing friend or loved one, you're likely willing to exhaust every option to find them. Hiring a private investigator can be an important and invaluable step. Private investigators have the skills and resources to conduct a thorough search and uncover new leads. Here are three ways that private investigation services work on missing person cases.

1. Conducting Interviews and Gathering Information

The first step in a missing person investigation is to gather as much information as possible. Private investigators will conduct interviews with family members, friends, and anyone else who may have information about the missing person. It's possible they could discover new information, such as someone stalking your friend or loved one. According to LinkedIn, 1.5 million people report stalking every year, so this could be a factor. They will also review police reports, medical records, and other relevant documents. By gathering information from multiple sources, private investigators can create a comprehensive profile of the missing person. This profile can help them identify potential leads and narrow down the search.

2. Conducting Surveillance and Searches

Once private investigators have gathered information, they will conduct surveillance and searches to find the missing person. They may use various tools and techniques, such as GPS tracking, social media monitoring, and video surveillance. Private investigators will also search public records, conduct background checks, and visit locations the missing person is known to have frequented. They may also work with search and rescue teams to physically search areas where the missing person may be located.

3. Coordinating With Law Enforcement and Other Agencies

A private investigation service will often work closely with law enforcement and other agencies to locate missing persons. They may provide law enforcement with new leads and information or work with other agencies to coordinate searches and gather information. In some cases, private investigators may also work with forensic experts to analyze evidence and gather new leads. By working collaboratively with other agencies, private investigators can increase the chances of finding and bringing the missing person home safely.

Ready to take the next step in finding your loved one? Let's talk about it. Contact EXCALIBUR Private Investigation today to start the conversation. We can launch an investigation to find new evidence and hopefully bring your loved one home.

Lee Walters
President/Lead Investigator
EXCALIBUR Private Investigation
Colorado Springs, CO
719.208.4088

How a Private Investigator Can Help You Win Your Divorce Case

3/16/2023

Private Investigator in Colorado Springs Divorce Cases

According to Zippia, in the United States, only 4,713 people are licensed as private investigators. Finding the right professional can be important, but why would you need one? Well, if you're going through a divorce, an investigator might be the right choice. Why is that? Keep reading to learn a bit more about how a private investigator can help you win your divorce case.

1. Providing Background Checks

When you hire a private investigator to run a background check on your ex-spouse, you'll find everything you need to know. While this can feel cold, it might be important when it comes to settling your assets. You don't want to lose your children or property to someone who might not be responsible enough to care for them. With a reputable private investigator, you can have access to a recorded history of mental or physical abuse, anger issues, and more. This proof could come in handy, especially if you're dealing with an ex-spouse in court.

2. Gathering Evidence of Infidelity

If infidelity is a part of the reason for your divorce, it's important that you work with an investigator who can gather significant evidence. This will really help your case when it comes to splitting up assets! Private investigators will use surveillance and potentially even honeypotting (a decoy for your ex-spouse) to gather this information. While you can try and find this evidence yourself, there's no substitute for working with a professional.

3. Finding Proof of Parent Suitability

When there are children involved, it only makes divorce more difficult. A private investigator can detail a report for the court that proves your ex-spouse is incapable of properly caring for your children. This may include financial instability, a lack of health insurance, living accommodations, a history of violence, new significant others, and drug or alcohol abuse. While this information may not be enough to grant you full custody, depending on the case, any information of this nature can help you gain primary or joint custody.
With such a delicate process, it's essential to be prepared for everything. This is why you should look into hiring one of our private investigators here at EXCALIBUR Private Investigation. Take a look at the services we offer and call today to schedule an appointment. We look forward to helping you.

Lee Walters
President
EXCALIBUR Private Investigation
719.208.4088

EXCALIBUR Private Investigation launches Cold Case Team

3/11/2023

Think you've got what it takes to become part of a Crowdsource team working Cold Case Investigations??? EXCALIBUR Private Investigation is proud to announce that we've started a long-term project to investigate Cold Cases, primarily unsolved murders, that will rely on crowdsourcing from around the world to try and solve cases yet unsolved. We have a website, www.excalibur.team , we'll also have a YouTube channel and a podcast where citizen investigators can work on cases we've identified that need to be solved. This effort will consist of volunteers from around the world. Our Lead Investigator, Lee Walters, President of EXCALIBUR Private Investigation, will be coordinating each investigation along with Project Manager Jennifer Knight of Crime Curious. Go to our website and apply to be a member of the team.

Lee Walters
President
EXCALIBUR Private Investigation
Colorado Springs, Colorado
719.208.4088

Home Security And Safety Tips For Grandma & Grandpa

1/26/2023

Colorado Springs Elderly Private Investigator

Senior citizens, unfortunately, are the most targeted segment of society by criminals/fraudsters. During my 24+ years in federal law enforcement, I had many cases where senior citizens contacted us with information regarding this scam or that one. Unfortunately, often by the time I got involved their money or property was long gone along with the criminal who fleeced them. Not only do the dregs of society target senior’s wallets, but they also target their homes. Grandma & grandpa have a high rate of fear of being victimized, and rightfully so, and can easily fall into isolating themselves as a means of protection.

Why are seniors more vulnerable to being taken advantage of? There are many reasons including the fact that many of them live in isolated conditions and may not get the kind of communication with others that they can run things by. Senior citizens also have, naturally, a decline in their cognitive and physical abilities to varying degrees and may not know about the latest technological advancements, such as residential security systems which could make them safer and less prone to being taken advantage of.

The FBI lists the following schemes that senior citizens should be aware of:

Health Care Fraud or Health Insurance Fraud

Medical Equipment Fraud

Equipment manufacturers offer “free” products to individuals. Insurers are then charged for products that were not needed and/or may not have been delivered.

“Rolling Lab” Schemes

Unnecessary and sometimes fake tests are given to individuals at health clubs, retirement homes, or shopping malls and billed to insurance companies or Medicare.

Services Not Performed

Customers or providers bill insurers for services never rendered by changing bills or submitting fake ones.

Medicare Fraud

Medicare fraud can take the form of any of the health insurance frauds described above. Senior citizens are frequent targets of Medicare schemes, especially by medical equipment manufacturers and distributors who offer seniors free medical products in exchange for their Medicare numbers. Because a physician has to sign a form certifying that equipment or testing is needed before Medicare pays for it, con artists fake signatures or bribe corrupt doctors to sign the forms. Once a signature is in place, the manufacturers bill Medicare for merchandise or service that was not needed or was not ordered.

Tips for Avoiding Health Care Fraud or Health Insurance Fraud:

• Never sign blank insurance claim forms.

• Never give blanket authorization to a medical provider to bill for services rendered.

• Ask your medical providers what they will charge and what you will be expected to pay out-of-pocket.

• Carefully review your insurer’s explanation of the benefits statement. Call your insurer and provider if you have questions.

• Do not do business with door-to-door or telephone salespeople who tell you that services of medical equipment are free.

• Give your insurance/Medicare identification only to those who have provided you with medical services.

• Keep accurate records of all health care appointments.

• Know if your physician ordered equipment for you

Counterfeit Prescription Drugs

Tips for Avoiding Counterfeit Prescription Drugs:

• Be mindful of appearance. Closely examine the packaging and lot numbers of prescription drugs and be alert to any changes from one prescription to the next.

• Consult your pharmacist or physician if your prescription drug looks suspicious.

• Alert your pharmacist and physician immediately if your medication causes adverse side effects or if your condition does not improve.

• Use caution when purchasing drugs on the Internet. Do not purchase medications from unlicensed online distributors or those who sell medications without a prescription. Reputable online pharmacies will have a seal of approval called the Verified Internet Pharmacy Practice Site (VIPPS), provided by the Association of Boards of Pharmacy in the United States.

• Be aware that product promotions or cost reductions and other “special deals” may be associated with counterfeit product promotion.

Funeral and Cemetery Fraud

Tips for Avoiding Funeral and Cemetery Fraud:

▪ Be an informed consumer. Take time to call and shop around before making a purchase. Take a friend with you who may offer some perspective to help make difficult decisions. Funeral homes are required to provide detailed general price lists over the telephone or in writing.

▪ Educate yourself fully about caskets before you buy one, and understand that caskets are not required for direct cremations.

▪ Understand the difference between funeral home basic fees for professional services and any fees for additional services.

▪ Know that embalming rules are governed by state law and that embalming is not legally required for direct cremations.

▪ Carefully read all contracts and purchasing agreements before signing and make certain that all of your requirements have been put in writing.

▪ Make sure you understand all contract cancellation and refund terms, as well as your portability options for transferring your contract to other funeral homes.

▪ Before you consider prepaying, make sure you are well informed. When you do make a plan for yourself, share your specific wishes with those close to you.

▪ As a general rule governing all of your interactions as a consumer, do not allow yourself to be pressured into making purchases, signing contracts, or committing funds. These decisions are yours and yours alone.

Fraudulent “Anti-Aging” Products

Tips for Avoiding Fraudulent “Anti-Aging” Products:

▪ If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Watch out for “Secret Formulas” or “Breakthroughs.”

▪ Don’t be afraid to ask questions about the product. Find out exactly what it should and should not do for you.

▪ Research a product thoroughly before buying it. Call the Better Business Bureau to find out if other people have complained about the product.

▪ Be wary of products that claim to cure a wide variety of illnesses—particularly serious ones—that don’t appear to be related.

▪ Be aware that testimonials and/or celebrity endorsements are often misleading.

▪ Be very careful of products that are marketed as having no side effects.

▪ Question products that are advertised as making visits to a physician unnecessary.

▪ Always consult your doctor before taking any dietary or nutritional supplement.

Telemarketing Fraud

If you are age 60 or older—and especially if you are an older woman living alone—you may be a special target of people who sell bogus products and services by telephone. Telemarketing scams often involve offers of free prizes, low-cost vitamins and health care products, and inexpensive vacations. There are warning signs to these scams. If you hear these—or similar—“lines” from a telephone salesperson, just say “no thank you,” and hang up the telephone:

▪ “You must act now, or the offer won’t be good.”

▪ “You’ve won a free gift, vacation, or prize.” But you have to pay for “postage and handling” or other charges.

▪ “You must send money, give a credit card or bank account number, or have a check picked up by courier.” You may hear this before you have had a chance to consider the offer carefully.

▪ “You don’t need to check out the company with anyone.” The callers say you do not need to speak to anyone, including your family, lawyer, accountant, local Better Business Bureau, or consumer protection agency.

▪ “You don’t need any written information about the company or its references.”

▪ “You can’t afford to miss this high-profit, no-risk offer.”

Tips for Avoiding Telemarketing Fraud:

It’s very difficult to get your money back if you’ve been cheated over the telephone. Before you buy anything by telephone, remember:

▪ Don’t buy from an unfamiliar company. Legitimate businesses understand that you want more information about their company and are happy to comply.

▪ Always ask for and wait until you receive written material about any offer or charity. If you get brochures about costly investments, ask someone whose financial advice you trust to review them. But, unfortunately, beware—not everything written down is true.

▪ Always check out unfamiliar companies with your local consumer protection agency, Better Business Bureau, state attorney general, the National Fraud Information Center, or other watchdog groups. Unfortunately, not all bad businesses can be identified through these organizations.

▪ Obtain a salesperson’s name, business identity, telephone number, street address, mailing address, and business license number before you transact business. Some con artists give out false names, telephone numbers, addresses, and business license numbers. Verify the accuracy of these items.

▪ Before you give money to a charity or make an investment, find out what percentage of the money is paid in commissions and what percentage actually goes to the charity or investment.

▪ Before you send money, ask yourself a simple question. “What guarantee do I really have that this solicitor will use my money in the manner we agreed upon?”

▪ Don’t pay in advance for services. Pay services only after they are delivered.

▪ Be wary of companies that want to send a messenger to your home to pick up money, claiming it is part of their service to you. In reality, they are taking your money without leaving any trace of who they are or where they can be reached.

▪ Always take your time making a decision. Legitimate companies won’t pressure you to make a snap decision.

▪ Don’t pay for a “free prize.” If a caller tells you the payment is for taxes, he or she is violating federal law.

▪ Before you receive your next sales pitch, decide what your limits are—the kinds of financial information you will and won’t give out on the telephone.

▪ Be sure to talk over big investments offered by telephone salespeople with a trusted friend, family member, or financial advisor. It’s never rude to wait and think about an offer.

▪ Never respond to an offer you don’t understand thoroughly.

▪ Never send money or give out personal information such as credit card numbers and expiration dates, bank account numbers, dates of birth, or social security numbers to unfamiliar companies or unknown persons.

▪ Be aware that your personal information is often brokered to telemarketers through third parties.

▪ If you have been victimized once, be wary of persons who call offering to help you recover your losses for a fee paid in advance.

▪ If you have information about a fraud, report it to state, local, or federal law enforcement agencies.

Internet Fraud

As web use among senior citizens increases, so does their chances to fall victim to Internet fraud. Internet Fraud includes non-delivery of items ordered online and credit and debit card scams.

Investment Schemes

As they plan for retirement, senior citizens may fall victim to investment schemes. These may include advance fee schemes, prime bank note schemes, pyramid schemes, and Nigerian letter fraud schemes.

Reverse Mortgage Scams

The FBI and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Office of Inspector General (HUD-OIG) urge consumers, especially senior citizens, to be vigilant when seeking reverse mortgage products. Reverse mortgages, also known as home equity conversion mortgages (HECM), have increased more than 1,300 percent between 1999 and 2008, creating significant opportunities for fraud perpetrators.

Reverse mortgage scams are engineered by unscrupulous professionals in a multitude of real estate, financial services, and related companies to steal the equity from the property of unsuspecting senior citizens or to use these seniors to unwittingly aid the fraudsters in stealing equity from a flipped property.

In many of the reported scams, victim seniors are offered free homes, investment opportunities, and foreclosure or refinance assistance. They are also used as straw buyers in property flipping scams. Seniors are frequently targeted through local churches and investment seminars, as well as television, radio, billboard, and mailer advertisements.

A legitimate HECM loan product is insured by the Federal Housing Authority. It enables eligible homeowners to access the equity in their homes by providing funds without incurring a monthly payment. Eligible borrowers must be 62 years or older who occupy their property as their primary residence and who own their property or have a small mortgage balance.

Tips for Avoiding Reverse Mortgage Scams:

▪ Do not respond to unsolicited advertisements.

▪ Be suspicious of anyone claiming that you can own a home with no down payment.

▪ Do not sign anything that you do not fully understand.

▪ Do not accept payment from individuals for a home you did not purchase.

▪ Seek out your own reverse mortgage counselor.

Many seniors grew up in a time when their families left their doors unlocked and never had to worry about someone breaking in but, unfortunately, those days are long gone. No matter how safe the neighborhood they live in is, even a gated community, there are certain precautions grandmas and grandpas should take:

• Make sure all doors and windows remained locked at all times.

• Make sure every externally facing door has some type of peephole. I also recommend the Ring video doorbell for seniors as they can see who is at the door and be notified before someone actually reaches the door.

• Make sure all exterior doors are made of solid materials such as metal or wood. As part of those, make sure that extra long screws are used in the strike plate and that security door pins are also in place.

• Make sure windows that could be potentially breached, have security film on them, which makes it much harder to break. I’m seeing this used more and more and not just on senior citizen’s residences.

• Make sure any gates leading to fenced in areas are always locked and secure. I recommend using a good padlock with a key. Combination locks will also work, but a senior citizen will have to remember the code and who needs another number to remember?

• Make sure that grandma/grandpa always answers a door with a telephone in hand. If they absolutely must open the door they can tell whoever is on the doorstep that they are on a call. This will give any burglar or other creep pause and will usually be enough to make them move on to another target.

• Remember the good old days when you could leave a key outside under the rug or under a flowerpot? Forget them! Those days are over. Never leave a key outside. They are far too easy to find and you’re just providing a key to your castle. It’s much better to leave one with a trusted neighbor.

• Make sure grandma and/or grandpa have a home security system. This, alone, will provide peace of mind and really is a must in my opinion. Home security systems can also be tied in with medical alert systems that a senior citizen can activate should they have an accident or fall in their home.

• Make sure that all of your exterior lighting has motion detection capabilities. I recently wrote an article, here, about how motion sensors work if interested. Motion detector exterior lighting is a great way to keep burglars from operating in the dark. I also recommend making sure any entry pathway is covered by these types of lighting. They are readily available and can be purchased and installed for less than $100 in most cases
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• Whenever leaving your residence, make sure you do two things. Arm your security system! You’d be surprised how many people don’t arm them and thieves know this. And leave a television or radio on to give the appearance that someone may be home.

I hope these security tips will make grandma and grandpa just a little more secure as they go through their daily lives.

If your a senior who would like advise on any of the topics listed, or just have a question about anything, please give us a call. We offer security assessments of residences/businesses and can work with you to make things more secure. We also offer presentations to senior citizen groups on a regular basis and would love to present to your group.

At your service.

Lee Walters
President/Lead Investigator
EXCALIBUR Private Investigation
719.208.4088
Colorado Springs, Colorado

KEEPING KIDS SAFE IN AN UNSAFE WORLD

1/24/2023

Today’s article is going to go over some tips for trying to keep your children safe in a world that is becoming more unsafe with each passing day. Not to be an alarmist, but these common sense ideas can make the difference between tranquility and disaster.

Make sure your kids are taught to never admit strangers, under any circumstance, into the home whether or not you or another adult family member are home. They should be taught to never open the door to a stranger, even if they look like they are friendly and just may be selling something. Have them go to a door if there’s a knock/ring and ask anyone on the other side what they want or need. They should respond to any conversation with, “My dad is upstairs on a business call, but I’ll make sure he knows you’re out here.” They can then go out of ear range of the front door and call a trusted neighbor to come over and assess the situation if a parent isn’t actually in the home.

Teach your children local emergency phone numbers, primarily 911, and make sure younger children memorize their name, address, and parent's phone number.

Make sure your teenagers truly understand that they should never meet with anyone they do not know, especially someone they met on the Internet. Monitor their online activity if you suspect anything and even if you don’t! Many of parents have been shocked to learn that their straight A student is corresponding with what their child thought was a fellow teenager, but who turned out to be a 45-year-old pedophile. Teach younger members of your family not to open mail or packages.

Go over how to answer the telephone with your young children and teach them not to give our information such as their address, whether or not an adult is home, their names, etc. Play-act this with them, as practice is the best teacher at a younger age.

Teach your children that it’s okay to say no to strangers, especially adults. Go over the different scenarios that pedophiles use to prey on your kids. Ploys such as “I’m looking for my lost dog” or “Can you help me find my little boy/girl” are two such approaches a pedophile will use. Once again, play-act is the best teacher of this.

Have an escape plan should your children need to exit the residence in case of emergency. As I’ve written before, have drills, both during the day and in the middle of the night, so they’ll know exactly what to do should a real emergency ever occur.

Make sure your home Wi-fi network is secure. Having a whole house Wi-fi network allows kids to get on the internet from anywhere in the house making it harder to know what they are doing on their computer, mobile telephone or gaming system. Put a rule into affect that all computer use must be done in a common area of the home where you can see what they are doing. Not that you have to stand over their shoulder at all time, but a quick surprise peak can be very revealing. Also, go back and check their history of websites they’ve visited. This is very easy and can be found on any browser in use today.

Teach your kids, once they are old enough, the importance of safety when using social networking sites. In my opinion, no kid under the age of 15 has any business being subscribed to ANY social network. I’m sure you’ll hear that all of their friends are on Snapchat or Instagram, but don’t cave to pressure. There will be plenty of time in the future for them to waste countless hours on the internet! When they do reach an appropriate age for social networking interaction, teach them not to use their full names, birthdays or addresses on their profiles. The less personal info the better and caution them about mentioning any vacation plans on their social media sites, posting any identifiable locations, vehicle information, etc. and not to “check in” using some of the popular features of many of the social media apps.

Monitor. And I do mean, monitor, your kid’s online game activity such as the type that occurs on platforms such as Xbox Live. These gaming systems allow them to interact with friends from all over the country and, in fact, the world, but they can also expose them to online predators. Many pedophiles have been discovered to use these systems where they masquerade as young teenagers in attempt to gain the trust and confidence of actual children. Once they’ve gained their trust, it’s not long before they are convincing the child to meet in person somewhere.

Install software that allows you, the parent, to block access to websites. Google has a free option where you can block keywords in searches and I strongly recommend implementing that on all of your computers. Search is the gateway to finding websites on the internet you’d rather them not find.

Implement a family rule that says only a parent can download ANY thing from the internet. Many of the games, music and other software that is out there to tempt an unsuspecting child contains spyware and other types of malware that can infect your entire system and lead to identity fraud and worse.

Let me know if me, or any of the investigators here at EXCALIBUR Private Investigation, can ever be of assistance to you.

Lee Walters
President
Colorado Springs, CO
719.208.4088

4 SCAMS THAT MAY, OR MAY NOT, BE HAPPENING

1/17/2023

Scam article by Colorado Springs Private Investigator

Every once in awhile I get something that hits my email inbox that makes me smile and which has just enough truth in it that quite possibly, and I emphasize quite, may be true. I can’t imagine that any criminal is smart enough, at least none that I’ve dealt with in 30+ years, to think of these ideas for which the email warned me about. Some of these are also a little dated. Take a look at see if you agree. Could this really be happening?

1. THE LONG-TERM PARKING SCARE

The story goes that someone left his or her car in the long-term parking in San Jose, California, and while away from the car, someone broke in. Using the information on the car's registration in the glove compartment, they drove the car to the person's home in Pebble Beach and robbed it. If you are going to leave your car in long-term parking, you should NOT leave the registration/insurance cards in it, nor your remote garage door opener. A simple answer to this? Either lock this information in the glove compartment, or leave it in a locked box in the trunk.

2. THE GPS SCARE

So the story goes someone had their car broken into while they were at a football game. Their car was parked on the green, which was adjacent to the football stadium and specially allotted to football fans. Things stolen from the car included a garage door remote control, some money and a GPS, which had been prominently mounted on the dashboard. When the victims got home, they found that their house had been ransacked and just about everything worth anything had been stolen. The thieves had used the GPS to guide them to the house. They then used the garage remote control to open the garage door and gain entry to the house. The thieves knew the owners were at the football game, they knew what time the game was scheduled to finish, and so they knew how much time they had to clean out the house. It would appear that they had brought a truck to empty the house of its contents. My answer to this one? First, why are you still using a GPS? There’s something called Waze or Google Mpas you can download on your cell phone and never have to use a GPS again. And same goes for using the built-in GPS in your new car. Don’t put an address in there and label it as home, just in case there’s a really smart car/house thief in your part of the country.

3. THE CELLULAR TELEPHONE SCARE

An unknown lady had her purse, which contained her cell phone, credit card, wallet, etc., stolen. Twenty minutes later when she called her significant other, from a pay phone telling them what had happened, and they say, "I received your text asking about our Pin number and I've replied a little while ago." When they rushed down to the bank, the bank staff told them all the money was already withdrawn. The thief had actually used the stolen cell phone to text "hubby" in the contact list and got ahold of the pin number. Within 20 minutes he had withdrawn all the money from their bank account.

Moral of the lesson:

a. Do not disclose the relationship between you and the people in your contact list. Avoid using names like Home, Honey, Hubby, Sweetheart, Dad, Mom, etc....

b. And very importantly, when sensitive info is being asked through texts, CONFIRM by calling back.

c. Also, when you're being texted by friends or family to meet them somewhere, be sure to call back to confirm that the message came from them. If you don't reach them, be very careful about going places to meet "family and friends" who text you.

4. THE PURSE IN THE GROCERY CART SCARE

A lady supposedly goes grocery-shopping at a local store and leaves her purse sitting in the children's seat of the cart while she reached for something on a shelf... wait till you read the WHOLE story! Her wallet was stolen, and she reported it to the store personnel. After returning home, she received a phone call from the store to say that they had her wallet and that although there was no money in it, it did still hold her personal papers. She immediately went to pick up her wallet, only to be told by the store manager that they had not called her. By the time she returned home again, her house had been broken into and burglarized. The thieves knew that by calling and saying they were with the store, they could lure her out of her house long enough for them to burglarize it.

My answer to this one? Keep your wallet and/or purse attached to you or under the bags most of us take to the store these days, in Colorado you’re now charged ten cents a bag if you don’t bring your own, and don’t take anyone’s word who calls you. Always hang up, find the number on your own, and call the location back. I can’t tell you how many times over the years I worked in law enforcement how someone would tell me anything I wanted to know, just by me saying I was so-and-so from whatever agency you want to say you're from.

Stay safe!

Lee Walters
President
EXCALIBUR Private Investigation
719.208.4088
www.excaliburlegalsupport.com

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