Uncover the Truth: Top Signs Your Partner Might Be Cheating on You
March 22, 2024 - Reading time: 21 minutes
Updated on: September 3, 2025
Discovering unfaithfulness is difficult, but many people find it better to know the truth than to be left in the dark. With more ways to connect than ever, suspicions can rise quickly. At Private Investigations UK, we offer services to identify cheating partners so you can move forward with clarity.
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Phone and tech signs
Behaviour and routine
Money and paper trail
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Below are potential red flags that may warrant a closer look. One sign alone rarely proves infidelity. Patterns across several areas are more telling.
Significant Indicators Your Partner May Be Cheating
1. Owning Dual Mobile Phones
A second phone used secretively can hide calls and messages. Transparency is the difference between innocent and concerning.
2. New Ringtone Or Message Alert Sounds
A style change is normal. If it arrives with secrecy and other shifts, it can add to the overall picture.
3. Changes In Regular Schedule
New late nights or unexplained overtime that do not align with work demands can be a red flag, especially if they become a pattern.
4. Irritation Or Anxiety When With You
Irritability or visible nerves may stem from stress, but when combined with secrecy or distance it can point to a problem.
5. Phone Always On Silent
Silent mode is fine in meetings. Constant silence plus guarded behaviour can be a concern.
6. Less Physical Affection (Or More)
Affection can drop when someone is distracted, or increase if they are compensating. The change matters, especially with other signs.
7. Heightened Focus on Personal Grooming
New grooming routines, scents, or gym habits aimed at impressing someone else can be telling when the timing feels off.
8. Overreaction to Minor Issues
Disproportionate criticism over small things can be displaced guilt or a way to create distance and justify time away.
9. Frequent Nights Out Under the Guise of Friendships
Last-minute plans, late returns, and defensive reactions about whereabouts can indicate something more than a harmless catch-up.
10. Uncharacteristic Changes in Shower Routines
Sudden longer or late-night showers can be used to cover scents or create time buffers. Consider context and patterns.
11. Your Calls Go Unanswered and Messages Ignored
Repeatedly avoiding calls or replies, especially at predictable times, is suspicious when paired with other signs.
12. Difficulty in Locating Your Partner
Hard-to-explain gaps are stressful. Friends, workplaces, and social media can give context, but facts are best gathered by pros.
13. Altered Passwords and Device Access
Locked-out access where it used to be shared can be a red flag. A single change may be security hygiene, a pattern is different.
14. Cleared Text Message History
Mass deletion of messages is uncommon without a device issue. Coupled with secrecy it is worth noting.
15. They Start Using New Apps to Communicate
Switching to apps with disappearing messages, such as Snapchat, Signal, or Telegram, can make affairs easier to hide.
16. Inaccessibility to Bank Statements
Paper statements can be turned off quickly. Sudden loss of visibility can hide hotel stays, gifts, or cash withdrawals.
17. Mysterious Charges
Unrecognised spending, dating site charges, or unusual locations should be checked quickly and directly with the provider.
18. Geo-Tracking Features Disabled
Find My or similar tracking turned off can be innocent. A sudden change with other secrecy may be cause for concern.
19. A Shift in Fashion Choices
New wardrobe, dressing up more than usual, and stories that do not match can indicate someone new in the picture.
20. Concealed Multimedia Files
Hidden albums, vault apps, or renamed files can be used to store photos, audio, or chats away from view.
21. Alterations in Behaviour
Partners know each other’s rhythms. Slow, persistent changes over weeks are more meaningful than a one-off mood swing.
22. Cleared Trash Folder
Empty email trash or a cleared recycle bin can indicate attempts to cover tracks. On its own it proves nothing, but note the timing.
23. Their Phone is Now Locked
Changing passwords is healthy. Repeated changes that cut you out where trust existed before may need a conversation.
24. Unfamiliar Conduct Patterns
Shared routines shift when priorities shift. Watch for repeated small inconsistencies rather than a single event.
25. Elevated Call And Text Patterns
A sudden spike in calls or data can align with a new connection, especially if bills or usage are usually steady.
If you're wondering why, hire a spy
If you suspect your partner is cheating, our personal surveillance service can discreetly gather images and video for clarity and peace of mind.
Our experienced detectives operate across the UK and abroad. Get in touch for a free quote. Include exact locations and relevant details so we can propose the most effective and cost-efficient approach.
Related articles
- When are people most likely to cheat on their partners?
- When to walk from a cheating partner: Can I save my marriage?
- 5 Signs Your Partner Is Having an Affair at Work
- Is Your Partner Living A Double Life? (5 Warning Signs)
- Ten Long Term Effects Of Cheating
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I tell if my partner is really cheating?
One sign is not enough. Look for a pattern across phone secrecy, routine changes, unexplained spending, and defensive behaviour. If you need proof, a professional surveillance team can gather clear, time-stamped evidence.
Is it legal to check my partner’s phone in the UK?
Accessing someone else’s device without permission can breach privacy and computer misuse laws. If you need facts, use lawful routes. Consider speaking to a solicitor or hiring a licensed investigator instead of risking legal trouble.
What evidence actually helps if I decide to separate?
Dates, times, locations, and corroborated images or video are the most useful. Professional surveillance produces organised logs and media that are more credible than screenshots taken on impulse.
Will my partner find out if I hire a private investigator?
Professional investigators work discreetly. Your partner will not be notified. You decide what to do with any findings.
The Critical Role of Asset Tracing During Divorce
March 15, 2024 - Reading time: 12 minutes
Updated on: September 3, 2025
Navigating divorce fairly depends on accurate identification and valuation of all marital property. Asset tracing helps uncover hidden wealth, reconstruct money trails, and support a just division of assets. Below is a practical guide to how it works, who is involved, and why it matters.
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Deciding factors
- Successful asset division often hinges on meticulous asset tracing to locate, verify, and value concealed or disputed assets.
- Forensic accountants uncover discrepancies and reconstruct complex money flows across accounts, companies, and jurisdictions.
- Tracing supports recovery of misappropriated wealth through legal action or settlement.
- Methods used in divorce also apply to fraud and corporate disputes.
- Bringing in experienced specialists improves accuracy, speed, and evidential quality.
Forensic Accountants: the linchpins of asset tracing
Forensic accountants examine statements, ledgers, tax filings, and transaction logs to spot irregularities that suggest asset sheltering. They track transfers, inter-company loans, and movements through shell entities to build a clear picture of marital wealth.
They also provide independent valuations of property, investments, and business interests, and their findings are prepared for court. Many cases benefit from a combined team of forensic accountants, private investigators, solicitors, and valuation experts working in step.
Expert testimony can explain technical findings in plain English, helping the court or the other party understand what is missing and what a fair outcome looks like.
Asset tracing as a pillar of fair divorce settlements
Thorough tracing gives an accurate view of the marital estate so that division is based on facts, not estimates. Work typically starts with disclosure forms, then expands to bank records, tax returns, title deeds, trading accounts, and investment portfolios.
Where red flags appear, the team follows the money. That may involve company lookups, property registers, beneficial ownership checks, open-source research, witness enquiries, and targeted fieldwork by investigators to verify links and locate assets.
Once identified, assets are valued using suitable methods, such as market appraisals for property and EBITDA or DCF approaches for businesses. Correct valuation is essential to reach equitable terms.
Essential procedures in asset tracing
- Detailed review of disclosure and source documents
- Screening for undisclosed accounts, entities, and transactions
- Following money flows across banks, cards, and wallets
- Company, property, and registry checks in relevant jurisdictions
- Collaboration with investigators, solicitors, and valuers
- Independent valuation of assets for negotiating a fair split
Benefits of asset tracing for divorce settlements
Effective tracing can uncover undisclosed bank accounts, investments, real estate, vehicles, luxury items, and interests in private companies. By establishing the full picture, parties can negotiate on firm ground, reduce disputes, and avoid prolonged litigation. Transparency promotes faster settlement and lower legal costs.
- Discovery of hidden assets and income
- Fair allocation of marital property
- Better quality negotiations and outcomes
- Fewer disputes and lower legal spend
Beyond divorce: wider use cases
The same techniques apply to fraud investigations, shareholder disputes, partnership breakdowns, and judgement enforcement. Tracing supports recovery of misused funds, quantifies losses, and supplies evidence for civil or criminal action. It can also test whether a business valuation is understated by revealing off-balance-sheet interests or related-party flows.
Achieve equitable divorce agreements with professional help
Asset tracing is most effective when financial analysis is paired with field intelligence. Our investigators can verify holdings, identify undisclosed addresses and entities, and coordinate with your accountant and solicitor to secure evidence.
Speak with Private Investigators UK about a tailored plan. For a free, confidential quote, contact us and include key details such as locations, entities, and timeframes so we can advise the most efficient route.
Frequently Asked Questions
What counts as asset tracing in a divorce?
A structured process that identifies, verifies, and values marital assets. It combines forensic accounting, open-source research, registry checks, and targeted enquiries by investigators.
What are typical signs that assets are being hidden?
Sudden cash withdrawals, new company formations, loans to related parties, missing statements, or unexplained drops in income while lifestyle remains the same. Tracing tests these anomalies and evidences any concealment.
How long does asset tracing take?
It depends on scope and jurisdictions. A straightforward domestic review can be quick. Multi-jurisdictional cases with companies and trusts take longer and require coordinated professional input.
Can you look into my spouse’s bank accounts directly?
Access to private banking data requires lawful authority. Tracing uses disclosure, public records, lawful enquiries, and financial analysis to evidence assets without breaching privacy laws. Your solicitor may then seek orders for further disclosure where justified.
Do I need both a forensic accountant and a private investigator?
In many cases, yes. Accountants analyse numbers and documents. Investigators verify real-world links, locate assets and people, and capture supporting evidence. The combined approach delivers the strongest result.
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How to Check Criminal Records (UK): Essential Information
March 11, 2024 - Reading time: 13 minutes
Updated on: September 3, 2025
There are many situations where you may need to verify criminal history in the UK. Employers use checks to assess a candidate’s suitability and safety for a role. Individuals may want to view their own record, and in some cases the police can disclose risk information to protect children or potential victims.
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How to Check Someone’s Criminal Record in the UK
In England and Wales, criminal record checks are handled by the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) and are commonly called DBS checks. Scotland uses Disclosure Scotland, and Northern Ireland uses AccessNI. The level of check you can request depends on the purpose and legal eligibility.
Personal Checks: can you check someone else?
As a general rule, you cannot run a DBS check on another adult for personal curiosity. There are limited safeguarding routes where the police may disclose information to protect children or potential victims. Avoid any attempt to obtain someone’s record without proper authority, and never impersonate an employer or agency.
How to Check Your Own Criminal Convictions
You can apply for a Basic DBS check on yourself. This shows unspent convictions and conditional cautions. Apply online via the GOV.UK website. You will verify your identity and provide recent address history.
In Scotland, use Disclosure Scotland. In Northern Ireland, use AccessNI.
Employers Checking a Candidate’s Criminal Record
Employers can request:
- Basic DBS – shows unspent convictions. Available for any role.
- Standard DBS – shows spent and unspent convictions, cautions, reprimands, and warnings. Only for roles legally eligible.
- Enhanced DBS – includes the above plus relevant police-held information. For positions working closely with children or vulnerable adults.
- Enhanced with Barred Lists – checks the DBS barred lists to see if the person is prohibited from regulated activity.
Guidance on eligibility is on GOV.UK. Employers usually apply via a registered umbrella body or their organisation’s DBS account. Only request the minimum lawful level for the role and handle results in line with data protection law.
Inquiry for Child Sex Offenders (Sarah’s Law)
The Child Sex Offender Disclosure Scheme (CSODS), known as Sarah’s Law, lets anyone with a concern for a child’s safety ask police if a person has a history that may pose a risk to children. Apply through your local police force, by calling 101, or by visiting a station. Disclosures are made to the person best placed to protect the child and must be kept confidential. For emergencies call 999.
Inquiry Into a History of Violence or Abuse (Clare’s Law)
The Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme (DVDS), known as Clare’s Law, allows you to ask police about a current or former partner’s violent or abusive past. There is a Right to Ask and a Right to Know. The police decide what is proportionate to disclose to help keep you safe. Apply via your local force or call 101. If you feel at risk, call 999.
Background Checks from Private Investigators
DBS results are narrow by design. For a wider view of someone’s background, consider a lawful background check service. We use publicly available information and open sources to add context, for example:
- Court record searches that can show appearances even where no conviction resulted.
- Open-source intelligence across news, corporate filings, property records, and insolvency data.
- Social media reviews to understand online activity and potential risks.
We do not access private banking or medical data, nor do we impersonate authorities. All enquiries are conducted lawfully and proportionately. For advice or a free quote, visit our homepage or contact us.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is shown on a Basic, Standard, and Enhanced DBS?
Basic shows unspent convictions and conditional cautions. Standard adds spent convictions, cautions, reprimands, and warnings. Enhanced includes the Standard level plus any relevant police-held information. Some Enhanced checks can include barred list status for eligible roles.
Can I run a DBS on my partner or neighbour?
No. DBS is not for personal curiosity. If there is a safeguarding concern, consider Sarah’s Law for risks to children or Clare’s Law for domestic abuse history via the police.
How long do DBS checks take?
Basic checks can be quick. Standard and Enhanced depend on police force processing times and can take longer, especially if multiple addresses or jurisdictions are involved.
Will spent convictions always show?
Spent convictions appear on Standard and Enhanced checks, subject to filtering rules. Some old or minor records may be filtered. Employers should only request the lawful level for the role.
Do private investigators see more than DBS?
DBS is an official record. Investigators cannot access private records without authority, but can lawfully broaden context using public sources and open records to help inform risk decisions.
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Expert Absent Employee Investigations in the UK
March 5, 2024 - Reading time: 9 minutes
Updated on: September 3, 2025
Ideally, employee absenteeism would be nonexistent. However, in reality, businesses of all sizes face employees missing work. Legitimate causes include sickness, mental health challenges, or the loss of a loved one. But there are also instances where staff exploit absence policies and falsely claim sick or compassionate leave. When suspicions arise, it can be vital to initiate a discreet employee absenteeism investigation.
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What is Employee Absenteeism?
Absenteeism refers to the habitual or prolonged nonattendance at work without valid explanation. The ONS reported absenteeism at record lows in 2020 (due to remote work). More recently in 2023, the CIPD noted average absence of 7.8 days per employee — the highest in over a decade.
Legitimate Absence Causes
UK employment law allows workers leave for illness, bereavement, and caring responsibilities. Most absences are genuine, but some individuals may exploit these provisions — for instance, fabricating illness or falsely reporting a death in the family. Identifying the difference is key to protecting both staff welfare and the business.
A Compassionate Approach to Verification
Demanding documentation such as death certificates may appear intrusive. Instead, many employers choose a more discreet and compassionate solution: engaging a private investigator. Through lawful covert surveillance, investigators can confirm whether activities during leave match an employee’s stated reasons. If suspicions prove unfounded, no harm is done, and the employee remains unaware of the investigation.
Gathering Evidence of an Absent Employee
Unjustified absences can cause disruption and financial harm. Without proof, challenging dishonesty may become a word-against-word dispute. Evidence gathered by a private investigator — photos, video, logs of activities — provides a clear, unbiased record to support HR decisions.
Handling Confirmed Absenteeism
If dishonesty is proven, next steps must be handled carefully. Even with evidence, employees may challenge findings. Consult with HR professionals or independent consultants before any disciplinary action to ensure compliance with UK employment law and avoid claims of unfair dismissal.
Minimising Absenteeism
Prevention is often more effective than reaction. Strategies include:
- Clear communication of absence policies
- Offering flexible schedules
- Paid time for medical appointments
- Workplace wellbeing programmes
- Creating a transparent culture where investigations are known to occur if misuse is suspected
Our UK-based investigators provide discreet absenteeism checks, surveillance, and evidence gathering. We also serve legal documents when cases escalate to formal disputes. Request a free, no-obligation quote.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it legal to investigate an employee’s absence in the UK?
Yes, provided investigations are conducted lawfully, proportionately, and in line with employment and data protection laws. Employers must act fairly and consult HR before taking disciplinary action.
Can a private investigator check if an employee is really sick?
Yes. Investigators may discreetly monitor an employee to confirm whether their activities align with claimed sickness or injury. Evidence can support HR decisions.
Will the employee know they are under investigation?
No. Professional investigations are covert. If no misconduct is found, the employee returns to work without being aware of the check.
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