12 Reasons You Might Need a Skip Trace

Skip tracing is the process of locating a person's whereabouts for any number of purposes such as;

1.) Bail Bond skips
2.) Missing adoptees and birth parents
3.) Missing family members or lost loved ones
4.) Tenant skips
5.) Rental goods skips
6.) Life insurance claimant skips
7.) Lost stockholders
8.) Credit card charge offs
9.) Debt buyer skips
10.) Judgement debtor skips
11.) Unclaimed property
12.) Missing witnesses

The person being searched for is often referred to as 'the skip' an expression derived from "to skip town" leaving minimal clues behind to "trace" the person's new location.

Skip tracing is performed by gathering as much information as possible about the missing person and then analyzing data and verifying facts. Investigators sometimes need to call or visit former neighbors or employers to ask questions and verify information. Records used in skip tracing include; phone number databases, credit reports, job applicant information, criminal background checks, utility bills, and tax information. Often the records can not be accessed by the general public but private investigators are able to get to the data and locate the skip.

Depending on the reason for the skip and the country they are in, the person hiding will be easy or harder to find.

Unintentional Skip: This type of skip might not know they are missing, and are the easiest skip to located. The situation could be an unclaimed property or missing witnesses.

Convenient Skip: This type of skip most likely knows they are missing but has conveniently failed to notify an associate or client that they have moved. The reason for this type of skip is not usually criminal and so people in this group do not go to great lengths to cover their location.

Intentional Skip: This person has probably skipped town because they are attempting to hide from an authority or because of bad debt. The degree of their success in covering their tracks and assuming a new identity will depend on the seriousness of the situation and the skips experience. International skips are often fraudsters and may have several identifies set-up in advance that they can use.

The Renwick Group has the knowledge and experience to help you or your business with skip tracing. Please call us at 1 (888) 722-9807 to discuss your situation.

Tips for Installing Video Security Cameras

This applies to home security and work security cameras. Professional installers will know where to point the cameras to get the best information.

source: By Simmons, Garrett on November 11, 2013.
Lethbridge Herald

"Last week I talked about the use of surveillance and CCTV cameras and I’d like to continue that theme and look at how the public can help the police and each other with their own video recording systems.

One of the first questions that an investigator asks themselves at a crime scene is “is there video?” The basic investigative questions of who, what, when, where, why, and how are still relevant but achieving those answers is often aided and expedited by the use of surveillance video. Often the video we look for is not at the scene itself but adjacent to the area, down the block or across the street.

With advances in technology the quality of such video has improved over the years and the cost of video surveillance systems has been reduced to the point where many people install them in their own homes. I can think of a few recent cases where video from a neighbouring business and home has provided us with the evidence we needed to solve a crime and make an arrest.

It is important when considering installing a video surveillance system to think about what it is being used for, how it will best assist you as a property owner and also how will it help your neighbours, if necessary, and the police. Make sure that you purchase a system that has a quality camera so that an identifiable picture can be obtained. We often look to identify someone from a surveillance system to only find that the cameras are not of a quality that can produce a good picture. We have all seen the photos that are so grainy it would be next to impossible to even identify your closest friend."

continue reading article..


The Renwick Group has experience working with many different types of businesses and organizations providing skip-tracing, fraud investigations, WSIB support, legal team assistance, evidence gathering, employee back-ground checks, and more. We also work with individuals who need help with personal matters. Call us at 1 (888) 722-9807 or visit our website for more contact information.

Are You an Online Christmas Shopper? Here are some security tips..

The Renwick Group has experience working with many different types of businesses and organizations providing skip-tracing, fraud investigations, WSIB support, legal team assistance, evidence gathering, employee back-ground checks, and more. We also work with individuals who need help with personal matters. Call us at 1 (888) 722-9807 or visit our website for more contact information.

Going Beyond the Internet For Asset Searches

The art of locating assets is something that we at the Renwick Group have spent a considerable amount of time cultivating and perfecting.

Asset searching often starts with certain searches on the Internet and databases, but for the really in-depth work, and the tough assignments there is no database available. It therefore takes a lot of original research and creativity to put all the pieces of the puzzle together.

We also have access to networks of Canadian, North American and Worldwide “sources” that we have developed over the years that include connections with other professional investigators and search organizations with whom we have worked for years.

So if you're looking for asset location and recovery services ... always find out if you are using asset relocation investigators who are relying solely on databases, if so, you may be missing out on finding what you need to satisfy your or your client’s needs.

As many clients soon realize, in the Canadian legal system, securing a judgment against a defendant, whether it be an individual or a company, is only half of the battle.

The second half is trying to find the assets to satisfy the judgment.

The Renwick Group is often asked to find bank accounts, stock holdings, real estate and vehicles or any other assets of value, sometimes the assets can be located anywhere in the world.

Our asset investigations can cover all of the following:

• Asset Tracing
• Asset Recovery
• General Financial Investigation
• Bankruptcy Fraud Investigations  
• Money Laundering Investigations  
• Embezzlement Investigations  

The Renwick Group has the knowledge and experience to help businesses with these types of investigations. Please call us at 1 (888) 722-9807 to discuss your corporate requirements.

Labour Dispute Management - The Secret is to be Prepared

Companies that need to reduce the risk of labour disputes and strikes turn to us at The Renwick Group to take advantage of our experience with contingency planning.

We quickly and accurately gather evidence to be used to establish an injunction, ensuring costly business disruptions are minimized.
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Our Labour Dispute Management Services are based on Contingency Planning:
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The key to achieving the best outcome in a labour dispute is preparation. The Renwick Group has experience in creating contingency plans for strikes and other situation, so that a management process can be initiated when disruption occurs. Not only does this enable your management team to react faster, but steps will not be overlooked during tense situations.

A contingency plan supports the role of security to prevent injury and property damage, so that the workplace is protected and ready to go back into full operation when the disruption is successfully resolved.

Other labour dispute services we provide include:

• Picket Line Surveillance & Replacement Workers
• Evidence Documentation
• Security Assessments
• Electronic Counter Surveillance
• Police Liaison
• Project Management
• Executive Protection
• Transportation of products and personnel

 The Renwick Group has the knowledge and experience to help businesses with these types of investigations. Please call us at 1 (888) 722-9807 to discuss your corporate requirements.

Do you need a video surveillance policy at work?

Many businesses recognize the need to add video surveillance to their security systems to reduce workplace fraud, and to protect employees. While video systems are relatively easy to install, company management must give thought to implementing a Video Surveillance Policy to ensure that all employees are aware of the system and its purpose.


Elliott Goldstein, B.A., LL.B., writing about a recent employment surveillance case, pointed to 3 lessons for businesses using video security systems.

"1. Video surveillance in the workplace must be accompanied by sufficient signage to alert employees that they may be monitored.
2. If there is to be video surveillance in the workplace, employees must be informed of the purposes the information will be used.
3. Implied consent of employees for the use of their personal information collected by video surveillance is assumed to have been obtained when the personal information being collected is not sensitive and the express purposes of the video surveillance have been explained so that the employees would reasonably expect that their information be used for those purposes."

The solution is to implement a Video Surveillance Policy and communicate it to all employees.

Areas to address in the policy include;

• Purpose of video surveillance system.
• Where cameras are typically used.
• Where cameras are generally never used.
• Where the video surveillance system is monitored.
• How video is recorded and for what duration.
• Who is responsible for the management of the video surveillance system.
• Who has access to video recordings and for what purposes.
• Procedures for requesting video recordings.
• Archival storage of video recordings related to security incidents.

information source

Here is an example of a Video Surveillance Policy.

Thinking about corporate surveillance? It's important to speak with a professional to find a solution right for your organization and to protect your company against risk.

The Renwick Group is a private investigation firm founded in 1997 and is based in Barrie, Ontario. We have evolved into a focused private investigation firm offering a unique range of regional and national services, including corporate surveillance. Please contact us to discuss your business needs. 1 (888) 722-9807  or visit our website.

Pre-Employment Screening on the Rise

We are noticing a trend in the number of organizations, particular small companies without HR resources, take on our pre-employment screening services.

Basically, the employer wants to make sure that the applicant who is in the final stages of getting the job, is properly vetted, screened and all the final resume checks are made to determine that everything presented is true and honest.

In the process of pre-employment checks a number of factors may, give rise to concerns about the integrity or reliability of the applicant. Credit report checks can provide assurance that there are no significant credit or debt problems that could place the individual in a vulnerable position.





Other factors to look out for include:

1. involvement in illegal activities
2. criminal convictions relevant to the role, particularly if not volunteered by the applicant
3. false or unsubstantiated claims on the CV or application form
4. unsubstantiated qualifications
5. unexplained gaps in employment history
6. adverse references
7. questionable documentation e.g. lack of supporting paperwork or concern that documents are not genuine
8. evasiveness or unwillingness to provide information on the part of the candidate.

Pre-employment Screening

  

Pre-employment screening can be also be used to confirm an applicant's immigration status, nationality and identity, as well as to verify their declared skills and employment history.

  

Security Screening

 

With some employmnet situations, addtional security is required for the position. We can add a security screening process, including:

• more robust procedures on confirming the individual's identity
• a five year employment confirmation
• robust financial checks for Court Judgements and bankruptcies
• more robust procedures where career and history records are incomplete
• Deep criminal records checks
• Detailed migrant worker checks with visa and paperwork validation

We understand that hiring the right candidate can involve more than just pre-employment screening and a criminal background check.  Using the most reliable technology to search nationwide and beyond - instantly in many cases - The Renwick Group delivers the decision-making information you need. Criminal background checks, verifications, license checks and many more employee background check services are moved at speed so you, and your business, can move forward.

The Renwick Group - www.therenwickgroup.ca - 1 (888) 722-9807 - is a private investigation firm founded in 1997 and is based in Barrie, Ontario, covering Toronto and South Central Ontario. We excel in delivering our core Private Investigation Services in the most efficient, secure, and professional manner.​

I Think I Need a Private Investigator !

At some point in your business or in your personal life you made need the services of a private investigator.

When looking to hire a private investigator you need to think about experience, skills, and credentials.

Here are some tips and questions to help you go through the process of finding the right investigator for your situation.

1.) Schedule a face-to-face meeting early in the process so you can get a better sense of how you could work with the investigator. Can you establish a good rapport with the person handling your case?

2.) Ask questions about the investigator's experience in specifically handling your issues. Some agencies have a broad range of experience and others are more specialized.

3.) Ask about the methods proposed for your situation. Does your case require special skills and how is the agency poised to fulfill that need? Does the agency utilize new technologies and techniques?

4.) Ask about credentials. Is the agency licensed and do they have other memberships in the investigative field? How long have they held their license?

5.) Are they a respected business in their community? Do they participate in any local business associations or show that they are involved with ?

6.) Discuss the financial aspects of the investigation until you are comfortable and clear.

7.) Discuss and ask questions about privacy and confidentiality.

The Renwick Group has experience working with many different types of businesses and organizations providing skip-tracing, fraud investigations, WSIB support, legal team assistance, evidence gathering, employee back-ground checks, and more. We also work with individuals who need help with personal matters. Call us at 1 (888) 722-9807   or visit our website for more contact information.

Privacy is a growing area of responsibility in many organizations

Here is a recent blog post about the growing area of privacy within organizations by The Canadian Underwriters. If you are confused about privacy requirements for surveillance or fraud investigation within your company, we can help you understand the issues.

source: Survey Finds Most Organizations Have at Least One Person Responsible For Privacy

Nearly one in three respondents to a recent survey said their organizations have increased "privacy-related staff" over the past year, but fewer than two-thirds "have a defined privacy officer role," according to information technology research firm Gartner Inc.

Stamford, Conn.-based Gartner released Sept. 25 some results of its study, based on responses by 221 organizations surveyed in April and May. Those respondents — which are responsible for privacy, information technology risk management, information security, business continuity or regulatory compliance — were based in Canada, the United States, Britain and Germany.

"Thirty two percent of survey respondents said that their organizations have increased privacy-related staff from 2012 to 2013 — the most significant increase since Gartner started its privacy surveys in 2008," Gartner stated, but added only 66% of respondents have a defined role of privacy officer.

"Gartner's consistent observation is that privacy programs are only successful if someone is driving them,” Gartner research vice president Carsten Casper stated in a press release. “Almost 90 percent of organizations now have at least one person responsible for privacy. However, having privacy programs that are owned by this individual is still not the norm.

”The survey also found that 43% of respondents "have a comprehensive privacy management program in place" but 7% said they do "the bare minimum" regarding privacy laws. “The handling of personal information for employees, customers and citizens tops the list of requirements respondents believe should be included in a privacy program,” Gartner stated.

“Some organizations — concerned about violating domestic privacy laws and the risk to their reputations — do not store personal data in locations where it can be seized by foreign authorities or is at great risk from cyber attacks. However, central global storage of personal data is becoming increasingly widespread.

For the first time this year, more organizations stored their customer data in a central global place rather than in a regional or local data center, which was the dominant model previously.” More than two thirds (38%) of respondents reported they “transform personal data before transmitting it abroad,” through encryption or similar technology, Gartner reported.


The Renwick Group has the knowledge and experience to help you or your business solve problems such as fraud, skip tracing, locating people, litigation support, labour dispute management, and more.. Please call us at 1 (888) 722-9807 to discuss your situation. We offer services to clients in the GTA and Central Ontario.

Renwick customizes Background Checks to fit Client needs

When The Renwick Group conducting background checks for our clients we fit our services to the clients needs and budgets.  Each search and check we make is unique, therefore we always build a custom backgound check plan for you.  Investigations can be limited to certain aspects of a company's or individual's backgound history, or a complete background information check is required. 

False Identities

 

Our cost-effective background investigations include comprehensive public records search, database research, deep Internet and Social Media coverage, as well as in-depth personal profiles based on interviews with associates (optional). 

 

Our investigators have experience in conducting background investigations for a variety of purposes, including witness, plaintiff or defendant backgrounds in litigation - civil or criminal, background investigations for financial transactions and suspected fraud, and pre-employment background checks.
Here is an example of some of the Standard Background Checks that we may conduct on individuals.

• Bankruptcy records
• Liens and judgment histories
• Security filings
• Criminal records
• Civil litigation, national and provincial
• Revenue Canada Tax Issues
• Employment histories
• Canadian SIN and USA Social Security number verification
• Aliases, if any
• Address histories
• Property records
• Business associations
• Fictitious name filings
• Professional licenses and certifications
• Workers Compensation records
• Motor vehicles registered
• Media coverage
• Deep Internet and Social Media Activity

And here is an example of some of the background checks we do for Corporate and Company searches:

• Financial and operating history
• Management structure and issues
• Ownership interests, including hidden owners
• Litigation involving the company, directors and owners
• Environmental liabilities
• Assets and revenues, including overstatements
• Unrealistic projections
• Unrecorded or understated liabilities, liens, judgments or expenses
• Executive reputations
• General business reputation
• Misrepresentations and non-disclosure of material facts

At the end of a backgound check and search, we provide our clients with well-written reports that include both a summary of significant findings, an analysis of the information we have uncovered and recommendations for further investigation when warranted, as well as a compilation of the information we have found in an easy-to-read format.

Additionally we will let you know if there are any legal and juristrictional challenges in searching certain types of information and records.

The Renwick Group is a private investigation firm founded in 1997 and is based in Barrie, Ontario. We excel in delivering our core Private Investigation Services in the most efficient, secure, and professional manner.​

Does your business need a private investigator in Barrie or Central Ontario?

While you might never have considered retaining a private investigator in your private or professional life that may simply be because you weren’t aware of the broad range of services a private investigator provides.

 Private Investigators are highly trained professionals with unique skill sets that assist you in gathering information for specific reasons. They are licensed and insured. They work closely with law enforcement and the legal community.

They know how to gather and protect evidence so that it is admissible in court. They are an independent third party professional not emotionally attached to your case.

There is a reason to hire lawyers, accountants and doctors. Private Investigators are professionals in the same right and in the proper circumstance they can be a valuable asset to your legal team.

 How do you hire a Private Investigator?

 So how do you go about choosing a private investigation agency that is right for your project? The following is a hiring guide published by the Council of Private Investigators - Ontario and you can download the full report here www.therenwickgroup.ca

 1. Go to the Council of Private Investigators - Ontario website, the yellow pages or search online for Agencies or Investigators who specialize in the type of investigation you require.
 2. Call your lawyer and ask for recommendations.
 3. Consult with a friend or acquaintance that may have been in similar circumstances.
 4. Identify three agencies local to you that provide the type of investigation services you require.
 5. Prepare a written list of questions you are going to ask each company.
 6. Confirm that the Private Investigation Companies or Private Investigators are licensed and insured.
 7. Check the company name and individual license number on the Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services.
a. Licensed Agencies
 b. Licensed Individuals
 8. Visit the agency office. It is required by law that all Private Investigation Agencies have a physical office address with a public entrance.
 9. The business licence to provide private investigation services should be clearly displayed in their office.  Request to see a copy of their certificate of insurance.
 10. Request to see a sample report format.
 11. Make an inquiry to the Better Business Bureau.
 12. Inquire about experience, education, training and length of time in the industry. What is their level of expertise in the areas of investigation you require?
 13. Ask for client references or letters of recommendation.
 14. If you retain a Private Investigation Agency insist on having a written receipt for any retainer/deposit you have provided and ask for the companies HST number.
 15. In most cases a Private Investigation Agency will require you to sign a contract or agreement. The agreement should clearly state what the investigation will entail, provide an estimated budget, identify a breakdown of the costs associated with the investigation and include a proposed timeline for completion. If progress payments are required clearly define the deliverables prior to signing the contract.
 16. Establish specific times when you will be updated about the investigation. Define if the updates are to be written or verbal.
17. Define the deliverables you will receive after the investigation is completed. Reputable Private Investigation.  Agencies will provide a full written report with details of the investigation, the time spent on investigation tasks (such as surveillance), and a detailed invoice itemizing costs associated with all phases of the investigation.
 The Renwick Group is a private investigation firm founded in 1997 and is based in Barrie, Ontario. We excel in delivering our core Private Investigation Services in the most efficient, secure, and professional manner.​

 Source: http://www.cpi-ontario.com/default.asp

The Renwick Group has the knowledge and experience to help you or your business solve problems such as fraud, skip tracing, locating people, litigation support, labour dispute management, and more..  Please call us at 1 (888) 722-9807 to discuss your situation.

Has someone skipped town? How skip tracing finds missing people.

Skip tracing is the process of locating a person's whereabouts for any number of purposes such as;

1.) Bail Bond skips
2.) Missing adoptees and birth parents
3.) Missing family members or lost loved ones
4.) Tenant skips
5.) Rental goods skips
6.) Life insurance claimant skips
7.) Lost stockholders
8.) Credit card charge offs
9.) Debt buyer skips
10.) Judgement debtor skips
11.) Unclaimed property
12.) Missing witnesses

The person being searched for is often referred to as 'the skip' an expression derived from "to skip town" leaving minimal clues behind to "trace" the person's new location.

Skip tracing is performed by gathering as much information as possible about the missing person and then analyzing data and verifying facts. Investigators sometimes need to call or visit former neighbors or employers to ask questions and verify information. Records used in skip tracing include; phone number databases, credit reports, job applicant information, criminal background checks, utility bills, and tax information. Often the records can not be accessed by the general public but private investigators are able to get to the data and locate the skip.

Depending on the reason for the skip and the country they are in, the person hiding will be easy or harder to find.

Unintentional Skip: This type of skip might not know they are missing, and are the easiest skip to located. The situation could be an unclaimed property or missing witnesses.

Convenient Skip: This type of skip most likely knows they are missing but has conveniently failed to notify an associate or client that they have moved. The reason for this type of skip is not usually criminal and so people in this group do not go to great lengths to cover their location.

Intentional Skip: This person has probably skipped town because they are attempting to hide from an authority or because of bad debt. The degree of their success in covering their tracks and assuming a new identity will depend on the seriousness of the situation and the skips experience. International skips are often fraudsters and may have several identifies set-up in advance that they can use.

The Renwick Group has the knowledge and experience to help you or your business with skip tracing. Please call us at 1 (888) 722-9807 to discuss your situation.

Take the Spam Quiz and Learn About Fraud in Canada

Fraud is a big problem for small and big companies. It is estimated that businesses lose up to 5% of revenue because of fraud in the workplace.

Small business must be extra careful because they don't often have anti-fraud controls or policies used in larger organizations. For example, small businesses may not conduct background checks or credit reports on potential hires. All potential hires should have a criminal record check, and in addition a credit report if they are involved in the financial aspect of the business. Small business should also offer consider fraud training and run periodic audits.

Another aspect of fraud is spam and other electronic schemes.

Here is an online quiz which shows individuals and Business how to protect against spam and other electronic threats which lead to fraud. Click on the image to take the quiz.

In Canada, fraud can be reported to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre .

"The CAFC is jointly managed by the RCMP, OPP and the Competition Bureau Canada and its mandate has expanded to include many versions of Mass Marketing Fraud (MMF) – these frauds are essentially schemes that target many victims at the same time whether by telephone, facsimile, postal mail or the internet. Often, MMF involves identity crime, which includes identity theft and identity fraud. As a result, the CAFC also accepts these reports. With the Competition Bureau as a partner, the CAFC deals with deceptive marketing practices and with spam issues related to fraud.

The CAFC remains located in North Bay, the city where it was founded. The Call Centre Unit has 11 full-time Call Takers who are able to field more than 300 calls each day from citizens reporting frauds. Of those calls, the Centre logs data from more than 25,000 victims each year. The Call Takers are dedicated, trained anti-fraud specialists who provide advice on the steps that victims should take to recover lost funds and to protect themselves in the future. Each spring, the Call Centre takes on additional personnel to deal with the increased call volumes brought on by publicity for Fraud Awareness Month during the month of March.

The CAFC has established itself as Canada's central fraud data repository. It has become a trusted source for fraud data and for educational and prevention resource materials. The CAFC plays a crucial role in educating the public about specific mass marketing fraud pitches and in collecting and disseminating victim evidence, statistics and documentation, all of which are made available to law enforcement agencies. " source: CAFC

The Renwick Group has the knowledge and experience to help you or your business with fraud investigations. Please call us at 1 (888) 722-9807 to discuss your situation.

Protect Yourself at the Scene of a Crash

According to the Toronto Police Services and the Financial Services Commission of Ontario, GTA Drivers pay hundreds of dollars more on auto insurance each year due to fraud.

Here are some tips to protect yourself at the scene of a collision.

• Be cautious of anyone pressuring you to use their services or giving you a referral at the scene of a collision.
• Fraud collaborators often recommend auto body repair shops & storage facilities
• Be wary of anyone pressuring you to sign any forms at the site of a collision
• Never sign anything you don't understand - call your insurance company first and ask for help or clarification
• If pressured, call police for the name of an authorized tow truck operator and have you vehicle towed to a Collision Reporting Centre or police compound until you can talk to your insurance company

Video: Collecting Information After a Collision




The Renwick Group has the knowledge and experience to help you or your business with fraud investigations. Please call us at 1 (888) 722-9807 to discuss your situation.

What is Metadata?

The term metadata has certainly been in the news recently, and conversations are taking place about the use of metadata, surveillance, privacy and how governments need to regulate this type of information. It's important for all organizations involved in the security and privacy sector to participate in the discussion, so let's take a step back and learn about metadata.





The Renwick Group has the knowledge and experience to help businesses with surveillance investigations. Please call us at 1 (888) 722-9807 to discuss your corporate requirements.

Contingency Planning Helps Achieve Best Outcome in Labour Disputes

The Renwick Group provides clients with contingency planning and consulting services that reduce the risk of business disruption caused by labour disputes and strikes.
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We quickly and accurately gather evidence to be used to establish an injunction, ensuring costly business disruptions are minimized.
​
Our Labour Dispute Management Services Include Contingency Planning:
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The key to achieving the best outcome in a labour dispute is preparation. The Renwick Group has experience in creating contingency plans for strikes and other situation, so that a management process can be initiated when disruption occurs. Not only does this enable your management team to react faster, but steps will not be overlooked during tense situations.

A contingency plan will support the role security to prevent injury and property damage, so that the workplace is protected and ready to go back into full operation when the disruption is resolved.

Other labour dispute services we provide include:

• Picket Line Surveillance & Replacement Workers
• Evidence Documentation
• Security Assessments
• Electronic Counter Surveillance
• Police Liaison
• Project Management
• Executive Protection
• Transportation of products and personnel

 The Renwick Group has the knowledge and experience to help businesses with these types of investigations. Please call us at 1 (888) 722-9807 to discuss your corporate requirements.

Can Private Security Cameras Solve Crime?

There's some buzz in the USA recently about Private Security cameras used to provide video information to Police Departments. In Baltimore, a registration database is being assembled so that Police can identify available footage in a specific area more quickly. Police commissioner Charles Ramsey of the Philadelphia Police Department is looking for private citizens and companies to register their security camera with a program called Safecam.

In this video Security Cameras Can Be an Effective Way to Fight Crime, Wayne Shearer with Shearer Security Devices in Harrisburg, PA, takes about the use of home and business video surveillance systems and how they can aid police in identifying and prosecuting criminals.



Database of private security cameras could help in crime investigation

Philadelphia Police Urge Registration of Private Security Cams For Crimefighting

And in Canada in the news, Thief caught on hospital security camera after stealing patient’s wallet, leads to RCMP investigation.

The Renwick Group is a unique private investigation firm founded in 1997, focused on getting our clients the best results.
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Contact Us - 1-888-722-9807
Email - info@therenwickgroup.ca

Here's the Background on Private Investigators

Have you hired a Private Investigator for a personal or business matter? If not, you may have missed an opportunity to utilize the range of services today's Private Investigative agencies offer to clients.  You may think of Private Investigators in a stereotypical way, as a Magnum P.I. character, or Sherlock Holmes sleuth. So let's take a moment and do a bit of background checking on what a Private Investigator is, and the codes they operate under in Ontario.

Private Investigators are;
- valuable investigative resource to private individuals, corporations, businesses, law firms
- paid to gather facts
- employed by private citizens and businesses, not the government or police forces
- licensed by the Province of Ontario

Codes of Conduct for Private Investigators in Ontario;
- Private Investigative firms, like The Renwick Group, are members of the Council of Private Investigators of Ontario (CPIO)
- CPIO vets agencies to make sure they meet the standard business requirements
- CPIO members agree to a Code of Ethics and Privacy Policy
- CPIO members agree to best practices and the protection of the public and public safety
- Private Investigators must protect information according to Canada's Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA - which defines the collection, use, and disclosure of personal information)
- Private Investigators must operate within the Private Security and Investigative Services Act, The Trespass Act, The Canadian Evidence Act, and the Criminal Code

Some Services Private Investigators Provide;

1. collect evidence for legal matters
2. obtain information on the whereabouts, identity, conduct, or credibility of a person or company
3. conduct background checks and searches
4. monitor people and report on activities
5. pre-screen job applicants
6. check legitimacy of investments
7. help research a crime or threat
8. locate lost or stolen property
9. verify WSIB claims
10. provide legal team support
11. provide advice on labour disputes
12. security consulting

Each and every investigation we have is unique and requires logical thinking and a unique ability to piece together all the facts surrounding an investigation. No two clients are the same ... and no two investigations are ever the same.
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The Renwick Group is a unique private investigation firm founded in 1997, focused on getting our clients the best results.
​
Contact Us - 1-888-722-9807
Email - info@therenwickgroup.ca

Workplace Privacy Fact Sheet

Here's an interesting overview of Privacy in the Workplace, the illustration and fact sheet are from The Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada.

"Whether or not privacy is protected by law or contract, respecting privacy in the workplace makes good business sense.
People expect to have some privacy at work, even if they are on their employer's premises and using the employer's equipment. At the same time, it's normal that working for someone will mean giving up some privacy. Employers need basic information about their employees for things like pay and benefits, and they have to be able to ensure that work is being done efficiently and safely.

But the possibilities for infringing on privacy are greater than ever before. Psychological tests, web-browsing records, video surveillance, keystroke monitoring, genetic testing: the information an employer can have about employees is limitless.

Employers can balance their "need to know" with their employees' right to privacy, if they ensure that they collect, use, and disclose personal information about their employees for appropriate purposes only.

Employers have legitimate requirements for personal information about their employees. They need to know who they're hiring. They need to address performance issues and ensure the physical security of their workplace. And they may see electronic monitoring and other surveillance as necessary to ensure productivity, stop leaks of confidential information, and prevent workplace harassment." [read full article]

Employers need to know about workplace Privacy, and if the expertise in not in-house they should contact a professional. Call The Renwick Group if your business is in need of Corporate Surveillance or Pre-Employment Screening or you have questions about workplace Privacy. We have the experience and knowledge to handle these important services.

Infographic - The Perpetrators & Victims of Occupational Fraud

Here is an Infographic put together by the LowerRiskgroup.com using the 2012 Global Fraud Study conducted by The Association of Certified Fraud Examiners.

Some of the Fraud Prevention Practices recommended by the study include;

• Fraud Prevention Practices
• ongoing anti-fraud training
• effective fraud reporting mechanism
• measures exist to promote employee's perception of fraud detection
• Tone at the Top is one of honesty and integrity
• Fraud Risk assessments are performed
• Strong anti-fraud controls are in place
• Hiring Policy included comprehensive background checks

Call us to discuss corporate fraud prevention or employment background checks. 1 (888) 722-9807   Or visit us online to learn more about service we provide.

Password Pain is a Gain for Fraudsters

Here is an excellent article from I-Sight Case Management about Passwords (Create a Hacker Proof Password) and how important it is to take password protocol seriously in your organization. Let's

hope no one reading this is using one of the top 10 worst passwords listed below!

"Employees are the weakest link and strongest ally in the fight against fraud

Cybercriminals recently stole more than $1 million from a county hospital in Leavenworth, Washington, by hacking into the medical center’s accounting system. By the time the head office had noticed anomalies in three payroll files, more than $1 million worth of payroll transactions had been processed and deposited into the bank accounts of 96 “mules” and then siphoned off by the fraudsters.

When AP’s Twitter account was hacked and the hackers tweeted about explosions at the White House, the Dow Industrial Average lost about 140 points. Although the losses were quickly recovered, the incident highlighted the damage that can be inflicted with a hacked password. And because password theft is usually behind social media account hacking, security experts were quick to point out the importance of password security and make suggestions to strengthen security by using two-factor authentication.

90% of Passwords are Hackable

Top 10 of SplashData’s worst passwords of 2012
password
123456
12345678
abc123
qwerty
monkey
letmein
dragon
111111
baseball"

read the full article

by Dawn Lomer
Corporate Journalist
Article Published May 7, 2013

Urban Myths About Cyber Security - How to stay safe online

Are you concerned about online security? Cyber security is an issue not just for governments and businesses, but anyone using the internet from a mobile device or a desktop computer. Here is an overview of myths and truths about internet security issues that may get you thinking about your online habits and systems.

source: BBC News Technology, Alan Woodward

Are we wising up to the dangers lurking online? Or are phishing, spam and hacking just words that we still do not understand and we hope will not happen to us.

Ofcom recently revealed that one in four British people still use the same password for all their activities online, suggesting we still have some way to go to fully understand computer security.
Here Prof Alan Woodward explores some of the misconceptions about how we stay safe online.
While there is still a long way to go in raising awareness of the risks inherent in surfing the net, word is spreading.

Unfortunately, some urban legends have arisen that are leading to a false sense of security.
Probably the most common of these myths is that your computer cannot be infected simply by visiting a website containing malicious code. The story goes, that you are only going to get malware on your machine if you actively agree to download software.

SECRET DOWNLOADS

As with many myths it contains a grain of truth. However, you may not recognise that you are giving your permission, and often hackers rely upon the fact that your computer is set to give permission by default to certain types of download. This has led to the phenomenon of "drive-by downloads".
These downloads can happen in several ways, with hackers developing new methods all the time.
Possibly the most insidious technique relies upon what are known as inline frames or "IFrames". The intention of IFrames was to allow webpages that have a mixture of variable and static content to be constructed so that they used computer resources more efficiently.
First introduced in 1997, IFrames essentially allow you to embed "active" material that is brought in from elsewhere.

When misused, IFrames can secretly download another webpage - one you will not see because they can be as small as a single pixel - which redirects you to a page containing an exploit.
If your browser and system are vulnerable to this exploit then the malware is downloaded on to your computer. And, you did not agree to anything, did you?

A variant of this first great myth is that webpages cannot download to your computer without you clicking on an "OK" button.

You may have to click but that click might not be doing what you think. A typical trick is for a compromised site to pop up a box - usually an advert - which you simply have to close if not interested. The act of closing the advert can be the very click that initiates a download.
Things are not always what they seem online.

HOW TO STAY SAFE ONLINE

1. Anti-virus software is a good start although it can only protect you against the threats it knows about
2. Don't open emails or attachments from people you don't know
3. Block spam emails and delete them
4. Use unique passwords for every site you interact with
5. Make sure passwords are complex and contain no personal information - a combination of letters and numbers is a must
6. When visiting a site check that it is genuine - by looking for addresses and phone numbers
7. Check the address in the browser address bar is the same as the one you typed

Read the full article on the BBC website

10 Tips to Prevent Identity Theft and Fraud

This article provides some good advice on how you can prevent identify fraud. Identity theft and fraud are among the fastest growing crimes in Canada and by paying attention to these few tips you can reduce the risk of it happening to you.

I you suspect an identity theft crime you should contact your local Police authority.

We can help with many types of fraud and security investigations. Call us to discuss your situation.

source: The Huffington Post Canada, Jeffrey Schwartz, Consolidated Credit Counseling Services of Canada

"Every year thousands of Canadians fall victim to identity theft and fraud. By using your name, date of birth, credit card, Social Insurance Number and other personal information, savvy criminals can open credit card and bank accounts, redirect mail, establish cell phone services, rent vehicles, and even secure employment.

Last year alone, more than 36,000 Canadians were victims of identity theft and fraud, resulting in the loss of more than 78-million dollars, according to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre. In fact, fraud and ID theft are among the fastest growing crimes in Canada and the financial impact on individuals, families and businesses can be devastating.

1.Erase all personal information before disposing or selling electronic equipment. This includes computers, cell phones, CDs, DVDs, diskettes and memory sticks.

2.Shred or destroy pre-approved credit card applications, credit card receipts, bills and related information when you no longer need them.

3.Never send confidential personal or financial information by email.

4.Ask yourself if you really need all the personal identity documents you keep in your wallet or purse. Remove those you don't need and keep them in a secure place instead.

5.Periodically check your credit reports, bank and credit card statements and report any irregularities to your financial institutions and the credit bureaus.

6.During debit or credit transactions, swipe the card yourself rather than allowing the cashier to do it for you.

7.Memorize all the personal identification numbers for your payment cards. Never write them on the cards.

8.Never use a public access computer or wireless network when banking or shopping online.

9.Avoid mail or telephone solicitations disguised as promotions or surveys offering instant prizes or awards. These scams are designed for the purpose of obtaining your personal details including credit card numbers.

10.Don't reply to spam emails, even to unsubscribe, and do not click on any links listed in a spam email. Many of these are phishing scams designed to access the personal information stored on your computer.

read the full article..

Shocking Truth - 1 in 7 Resumes have 'Errors' - That's Why Pre-Employment Screening is So Important!

We came across a shocking figure the other day ... It is estimated that almost one in seven resumes contain some form of discrepancy – most commonly dates of employment, academic and professional qualifications and undisclosed directorships.

Therefore, Pre-employment screening services are gaining in popularity to help your organisation to identify undesirable individuals, who may be dishonest or susceptible to committing fraud, before they join you.

These are the minimum verification requirements:

Employment application forms vary from one organisation to another, but often you can request additional information relating to an applicant’s:

• Identity (full name and date of birth)
• Residential address
• Educational and/or professional qualifications
• Employment history (including any gaps) and references
• Right to work in the Canada
• Criminal history
• Financial background.

Depending upon the type of vacancy and sector in which your organisation operates, it may be necessary to verify some or all of this information.

As a minimum, you should aim to verify the applicant’s identity, residential address, eligibility to work in the position applied for and previous employment history.

Here is an important piece of information - the background checks your organisation conducts should be proportionate to the risks associated with the advertised role. For example, managerial or financial positions may require more extensive screening. Particular care should be taken in screening applicants for positions with access to customer records and/or other confidential information, such as call centre staff.

What is pre-employment screening?

Pre-employment screening is the process of checking that information provided by a prospective employee – usually in a job application form, resume or CV – is accurate and complete. The results are used to make an informed decision about the suitability of an applicant for a particular vacancy.

To be effective, pre-employment screening should be completed before a prospective employee starts work; otherwise it may be too late.

Why is pre-employment screening important?

Pre-employment screening can provide some assurance that a prospective employee is trustworthy and has the necessary skills and/or experience required to perform the role they have applied for.

It can also deter dishonest individuals from applying in the first place.
Pre-employment screening will not completely protect your business against an employee committing fraud once they have started working for you – an individual’s personal and/or financial circumstances can change over time – but it can help to reduce the risk of this occurring.

The risks of not screening

Failure to undertake pre-employment screening may expose your organisation to the risks of:

• Abuse of procurement and/or staff expense reimbursement processes.
• Theft of business assets, customer information and/or intellectual property rights.
• Use of your business premises and/or equipment to conduct unauthorised or illegal activities.
• Appointment of individuals not suitably qualified or experienced for the role and/or who are dishonest.

Common types of pre-employment fraud include:

• Uses a false identity
• Impersonates an innocent party
• Use of a false immigration document
• Provides false education and/or professional qualifications
• Provides false references
• Conceals his or her employment history
• Conceals his or her employment record
• Conceals unspent criminal conviction(s)
• Conceals adverse financial and/or credit history.

Taking action

If you discover that a prospective employee has provided a serious material falsehood on his or her application form for employment with your organisation, you should:

1. Withdraw any offer of employment that has been made.
2. Report the matter to the appropriate authorities (such as the Police, Canada Border Agency, etc).
3. Notify any recruitment agency involved that a fraudulent employment application form has been submitted.

Finally, your organisation may wish to consider conducting periodic checks on employees being promoted, as well as in high risk positions, to ensure they remain.

The Renwick Group - www.therenwickgroup.ca - 1 (888) 722-9807 - is a private investigation firm founded in 1997 and is based in Barrie, Ontario, covering Toronto, GTA and South Central Ontario. We excel in delivering our core Private Investigation Services in the most efficient, secure, and professional manner.​ - Our services include: Surveillance, Skip Tracing, Pre-Employment Screening, Litigation Support and Labour Dispute Management

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What is Pre-Employment Screening and Why Is It Important?

At The Renwick Group we are noticing a trend in the number of organizations, particular small companies without HR resources, take on our pre-employment screening services.

Basically, the employer wants to make sure that the applicant who is in the final stages of getting the job, is properly vetted, screened and all the final resume checks are made to determine that everything presented is true and honest.

In the course of pre-employment checks a number of factors may, individually or in combination, raise concerns about the integrity or reliability of the applicant. Credit report checks for example, can provide assurance that there are no significant credit or debt problems that could place the individual in a vulnerable position.





Other factors to look out for include:

• involvement in illegal activities
• criminal convictions relevant to the role, particularly if not volunteered by the applicant
• false or unsubstantiated claims on the CV or application form
• unsubstantiated qualifications
• unexplained gaps in employment history
• adverse references
• questionable documentation e.g. lack of supporting paperwork or concern that documents are not genuine
• evasiveness or unwillingness to provide information on the part of the candidate.

Pre-employment Screening

  

Pre-employment screening can be also be used to confirm an applicant's identity, nationality and immigration status, and to verify their declared skills and employment history.

  

Additional Security Screening

 

With some employmnet situations, addtional security is required for the position and we can add a security screening process, including:

• more robust procedures on confirming the individual's identity
• a five year employment confirmation
• robust financial checks for Court Judgements and bankruptcies
• more robust procedures where career and history records are incomplete
• Deep criminal records checks
• Detailed migrant worker checks with visa and paperwork validation

Hiring qualified, honest employees is critical to the success of your organization being diligent with your hiring process can be important.

We understand that hiring the right candidate can involve more than just pre-employment screening and a criminal background check.  Using the most reliable technology to search nationwide and beyond - instantly in many cases - The Renwick Group delivers the decision-making information you need. Criminal background checks, verifications, license checks and many more employee background check services are moved at speed so you, and your business, can move forward.

The Renwick Group - www.therenwickgroup.ca - 1 (888) 722-9807 - is a private investigation firm founded in 1997 and is based in Barrie, Ontario, covering Toronto and South Central Ontario. We excel in delivering our core Private Investigation Services in the most efficient, secure, and professional manner.​

Skip Tracing Services Explained

We are often asked about our Skip Tracing Services and even though it is an important part of our business, there are still a lot of organizations that don't fully understand what Skip Tracing fully entails.



Skip Tracing Find Missing Individuals

Skip Tracing may sound like a spy technique out of a James Bond movie, but it actually has several practical daily applications for business and organizations of all sizes.

Anyone from lawyers to debt collectors, small businesses to private investigators, large corporations to educational institutions may employ Skip Tracing to find an individual's current whereabouts, track someone's activities, or find missing assets.

Lawyers can seek out Skip Tracing to find witnesses, or to communicate with heirs to an estate. 

Third party debt collectors or an in-house collections department use the data to track down delinquent borrowers or customers. 

While securing records forms a core part of the search for an individual, this activity is not the beginning and end of the Skip Tracing process. 

The real art of Skip Tracing entails using up-to-the-minute data from multiple reliable sources.

To be successful, it’s imperative to gather information from multiple data sources, cross-reference the information to ensure its veracity, analyze the data and distill the records into the most essential information.

 

The tools of the trade employed for effective Skip Tracing include:

•  Databases of addresses and phone numbers
•  Applications for credit cards, loans and jobs
•  Legal records
•  Criminal records
•  Tax information
•  Bills for utilities
•  Payroll information
•  Driver's license applications and renewals
•  Vehicle registrations
•  Traffic tickets

 

Skip Tracing entails utilizing this data to create a profile of the individual being traced.  For this reason, you should access multiple records from verified resources and, when necessary, fact-check information by conducting in-person interviews or by contacting related parties.

Challenges can arise when less reliable sources or conflicting information confuses the search. 

Professional Skip Tracers like us The Renwick Group understand that accuracy, sophisticated computer retrieval techniques and access to proprietary information delivers top results. 

Tapping into this database of information can be as simple as finding the right data supplier for accurate Skip Tracing and people search data. 

If you are in a position where you are evaluating businesses that supply Skip Tracing services, we recommend looking for a company that aggregates data from several informational streams, producing quality results in a short time frame.

Conducting effective Skip Tracing searches is challenging and does require expert knowledge and understanding of the data and therefore the more professional the organization you are dealing with the better the results you will get.

The Renwick Group - www.therenwickgroup.ca - 1 (888) 722-9807  - is a private investigation firm founded in 1997 and is based in Barrie, Ontario, covering Toronto and South Central Ontario. We excel in delivering our core Private Investigation Services in the most efficient, secure, and professional manner.​

How do you find the right Private Investigator in Barrie and Toronto, Ontario, Canada

While you might never have considered retaining a private investigator in your private or professional life that may simply be because you weren’t aware of the broad range of services a private investigator provides.

Private Investigators are highly trained professionals with unique skill sets that assist you in gathering information for specific reasons. They are licensed and insured. They work closely with law enforcement and the legal community.



Surveillance is a big part of what a Private Investigator does

They know how to gather and protect evidence so that it is admissible in court. They are an independent third party professional not emotionally attached to your case.

There is a reason to hire lawyers, accountants and doctors. Private Investigators are professionals in the same right and in the proper circumstance they can be a valuable asset to your legal team.

How do you hire a Private Investigator?

So how do you go about choosing a private investigation agency that is right for your project? The following is a hiring guide published by the Council of Private Investigators - Ontario and you can download the full report here www.therenwickgroup.ca

1. Go to the Council of Private Investigators - Ontario website, the yellow pages or search online for Agencies or Investigators who specialize in the type of investigation you require. http://www.cpi-ontario.com/findapi/

2. Call your lawyer and ask for recommendations.

3. Consult with a friend or acquaintance that may have been in similar circumstances.

4. Identify three agencies local to you that provide the type of investigation services you require.

5. Prepare a written list of questions you are going to ask each company.

6. Confirm that the Private Investigation Companies or Private Investigators are licensed and insured.

7. Check the company name and individual license number on the Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services.

a. http://www.mcscs.jus.gov.on.ca/english/PISG/LicensedAgencies/agency_list.html
b. http://www.mcscs.jus.gov.on.ca/english/PISG/LicensedIndividuals/licensee_list.html

8. Visit the agency office. It is required by law that all Private Investigation Agencies have a physical office address with a public entrance.

9. The business licence to provide private investigation services should be clearly displayed in their office.  Request to see a copy of their certificate of insurance.

10. Request to see a sample report format.

11. Make an inquiry to the Better Business Bureau.

12. Inquire about experience, education, training and length of time in the industry. What is their level of expertise in the areas of investigation you require?

13. Ask for client references or letters of recommendation.

14. If you retain a Private Investigation Agency insist on having a written receipt for any retainer/deposit you have provided and ask for the companies HST number.

15. In most cases a Private Investigation Agency will require you to sign a contract or agreement. The agreement should clearly state what the investigation will entail, provide an estimated budget, identify a breakdown of the costs associated with the investigation and include a proposed timeline for completion. If progress payments are required clearly define the deliverables prior to signing the contract.

16. Establish specific times when you will be updated about the investigation. Define if the updates are to be written or verbal.

17. Define the deliverables you will receive after the investigation is completed. Reputable Private Investigation.  Agencies will provide a full written report with details of the investigation, the time spent on investigation tasks (such as surveillance), and a detailed invoice itemizing costs associated with all phases of the investigation.

The Renwick Group is a private investigation firm founded in 1997 and is based in Barrie, Ontario. We excel in delivering our core Private Investigation Services in the most efficient, secure, and professional manner.​

Source: http://www.cpi-ontario.com/default.asp

The Art of Asset Searches

We are often asked about asset location and recovery services and what we exactly do, so here is a bit more information about the way we approach asset location and recovery.

The Art of Asset Searches

The art of locating assets is something that we at the Renwick Group have spent a considerable amount of time cultivating and perfecting.

Asset searching often starts with certain searches on the Interent and databases, but for the really in-depth work,  and the tough assignments there is no database available. It therefore takes a lot of original research and creativity to put all the pieces of the puzzle together.

 

We also have access to networks of Canadian, North American and Worldwide “sources” that we have developed over the years that include connections with other professional investigators and search organizations with whom we have worked for years.

 

So if you're looking for asset location and recovery services ... always find out if you are using asset relocation investigators who are relying solely on databases, if so, you may be missing out on finding what you need to satisfy your or your client’s needs.

 

As many clients soon realize, in the Canadian legal system, securing a judgment against a defendant, whether it be an individual or a company, is only half of the battle.

 

The second half is trying to find the assets to satisfy the judgment.

 

The Renwick Group is often asked to find bank accounts, stock holdings, real estate and vehicles or any other assets of value, sometimes the assets can be located anywhere in the world.

Our asset investigations can cover all of the following:

• Asset Tracing
• Asset Recovery
• General Financial Investigation
• Bankruptcy Fraud Investigations
• Money Laundering Investigations
• Embezzlement Investigations

The Renwick Group is a boutique private investigation firm based in Barrie, Ontario. We are focused on Corporate Investigation Services and getting results.  therenwickgroup.ca