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.
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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