A private detective is following me

MrsG09

I had an accident 4 years ago which I am currently claiming for.

During the week a neighbour - a few doors up- called into me and said a middle aged man had been to his door asking questions about myself, my partner and our daughter and car. He thought it was dodgy so gave him nO information and said he hardly knew us

I am very freaked out now. Can he call into my neighbours? Is this likely to he done at the end of his investigation?
I spend most days/nights on my own with the baby and i just don't feel safe knowing a man is following me around

Any information would be great

miller50841

How do you know he is a private investigator and just wondering would there be a reason for you to be investigated?

johnnyskeleton

If you're concerned for your safety call the gardai. If you think it is related to your case then contact via your solicitor could resolve it too.

MrsG09

johnnyskeleton wrote: »

If you're concerned for your safety call the gardai. If you think it is related to your case then contact via your solicitor could resolve it too.

I can't think of anyone else who it could be. I rang my solicitor he just brushed me off and said its par for the course with most personal injury claims and to keep the house alarm on when I'm at home (which freaked me out even more)

Our man in Havana

Have you actually seen this man? I would simply tell him his cover is blown and to foxtrot oscar.

MidlandsM

MrsG09 wrote: »

I had an accident 4 years ago which I am currently claiming for.

During the week a neighbour - a few doors up- called into me and said a middle aged man had been to his door asking questions about myself, my partner and our daughter and car. He thought it was dodgy so gave him nO information and said he hardly knew us

I am very freaked out now. Can he call into my neighbours? Is this likely to he done at the end of his investigation?
I spend most days/nights on my own with the baby and i just don't feel safe knowing a man is following me around

Any information would be great

Op,

I used to work in the insurance industry and PI's will only be checking up on you for a day or 2, trying to compile a picture to see if you are for example, over exagerating a claim. If you have nothing to hide, there's nothing to worry about.

miller50841

Do a bit of a stake out yourself and would recommend changing daily habbits as in leave different times and routes if possible.
Also would be thinking of installing a camera or 2 outside just to be safe(cctv)

MidlandsM

miller50841 wrote: »

Do a bit of a stake out yourself and would recommend changing daily habbits as in leave different times and routes if possible.
Also would be thinking of installing a camera or 2 outside just to be safe(cctv)

no need what so ever.......

daenerysstormborn3

If it is a P.I., your solicitor is right, this is normal enough practice to ensure you are not exaggerating your claim or making out that you can't do certain stuff when really you can, i.e. people saying they can no longer drive after a car accident for whatever reason and a P.I. can produce photos of them driving around. Try not to worry about him too much, if you are genuine then you have no reason for concern, however, if you feel he is overstepping any boundaries then contact your solicitor to voice your concerns, if your solicitor continues to brush you off then contact the gardai if you are really concerned for your safety.

MrsG09

pixiebean22 wrote: »

Your solicitor is right, this is normal enough practice to ensure you are not exaggerating your claim or making out that you can't do certain stuff when really you can, i.e. people saying they can no longer drive after a car accident for whatever reason and a P.I. can produce photos of them driving around. Try not to worry about him too much, if you are genuine then you have no reason for concern, however, if you feel he is overstepping any boundaries then contact your solicitor to voice your concerns, if your solicitor continues to brush you off then contact the gardai if you are really concerned for your safety.

Thank you for those replies I appreciate them.
I never thought they would call into neighbours to be honest with you. I found it embarrassing really at the time. The neighbour was genuinely concerned for me so I had to tell him I had an accident and making a claim so it's probably to do with that
Do you know if he would do this at the end of his work or at the start?
I know I'm probably worrying about nothing but I just find it scary that a man is watching me

Our man in Havana

This behaviour is also typical of social welfare inspectors.

Finnbar01

He mustn't be as very good PI if he has to go around asking your neighbours about you.

Pkiernan

If you're putting in for a big compo claim, then avoid this:

MrsG09

Finnbar01 wrote: »

He mustn't be as very good PI if he has to go around asking your neighbours about you.

I thought that was strange as well

Predalien

Saw someone get caught in court a few years back when photos were presented of him playing basketball when he'd been claiming his injuries were such that he couldn't take part in sport/exercise.

geeky

Finnbar01 wrote: »

He mustn't be as very good PI if he has to go around asking your neighbours about you.

Indeed. I have an image in my head of the hapless PI from The Big Lebowski. TBH, I wouldn't sweat this - as previous posters have said, it's normal practice if substantial claims are being made, and you shouldn't have anything to worry about if you haven't overstated your claim.

nuac

I recall a PI ( now dead ) telling me years ago that one technique he used was to drop into a local pub saying he was trying to contact a friend of his sisters or whatever. He would give a name close to the "target" namem and give an occupation and address close to but not exactly correct.

He said in every pub there is always someone who cannot resist putting you right, telling you who you "really" are looking for and spilling all the details needed about the family concerned.

I had a case years ago where plaintiff client had to travel around the countryside on business. He was well known in the area. As he as leaving one premises an alert local spotted that a Dublin reg car had been [parked in the vicinity and had started off after my client on leaving for his next call. At the time, ( and sadly still,) there is a rural watch system in the area, keeping an eye on strange vehicles.

She rang local Gardai. Gardai went out to investigate. This led to a procession of three vehicles traveling thru a rather remote area. Tail terminated

whiteonblu

nuac wrote: »

I recall a PI ( now dead ) telling me years ago that one technique he used was to drop into a local pub saying he was trying to contact a friend of his sisters or whatever. He would give a name close to the "target" namem and give an occupation and address close to but not exactly correct.

He said in every pub there is always someone who cannot resist putting you right, telling you who you "really" are looking for and spilling all the details needed about the family concerned.

I had a case years ago where plaintiff client had to travel around the countryside on business. He was well known in the area. As he as leaving one premises an alert local spotted that a Dublin reg car had been [parked in the vicinity and had started off after my client on leaving for his next call. At the time, ( and sadly still,) there is a rural watch system in the area, keeping an eye on strange vehicles.

She rang local Gardai. Gardai went out to investigate. This led to a procession of three vehicles traveling thru a rather remote area. Tail terminated

why is that sad?

seamus

whiteonblu wrote: »

why is that sad?

A remnant of the IRA era.

pontia

has he a hawiian shirt and moustache ? drives a red car

nuac

whiteonblu wrote: »

why is that sad?

In rural areas there have been a lot of incidents of theft or assualt especially on elderly people living alone.

Neighbours keep an eye on strange cars, or people behaving suspiciously.

It is sad that this is still necessary.