Can Private Investigators Hack Phones or Social Media?
May 29, 2023 - Reading time: 13 minutes
Updated on: September 3, 2025
As leading private investigators in the UK, we are often asked if we can access someone’s private communications to confirm suspicions of infidelity. People want the truth, but hacking is not the answer and will put you at legal risk.
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Can a Private Investigator Hack a Phone or Account?
No. Private investigators cannot legally hack phones, social media accounts, emails, or messenger apps. Accessing someone’s device or account without consent breaches criminal and civil law in the UK. It also risks contaminating your case if you later need to rely on evidence.
Please do not contact us requesting hacking services. We do not offer or support anything illegal.
Why You Should Avoid So-Called Phone Hacking Services
We regularly hear from people who were scammed after paying so-called ethical hackers who promised access to WhatsApp, Instagram, or call logs. In every case, the operator was fraudulent or operating illegally. Typical signs include pressure to pay by crypto or gift cards, repeated upsells, and refusal to provide a registered UK business address.
- If a site claims live access to private chats, it is either a scam or a crime.
- Using hacked data could expose you to criminal liability and damage any legal claim.
Can Private Investigators Trace Phone Numbers?
Tracing a phone number is a separate, legitimate service. In some cases we can attribute a number to a name, address, or likely user using lawful open sources and investigative techniques. This is useful to identify unknown callers or to support a wider investigation.
Important: we do not access phone records or intercept communications. All work is based on lawful sources and consent where required.
How Do Private Investigators Catch Cheaters Legally?
There are effective, lawful routes that protect your position if you later need to take action.
- Personal surveillance to document meetings, timings, and movements discreetly.
- GPS intelligence where lawful and proportionate to target surveillance windows more efficiently.
- OSINT checks to uncover public dating profiles, alternate identities, and timeline conflicts.
- Facial recognition background checks across public sources to identify adult content links or alias use where lawful.
Our surveillance services are discreet and lawful, and produce evidence that is far more defensible than anything obtained by hacking.
The UK Phone Hacking Scandal
The News of the World case showed how serious unlawful interception is. A private investigator and senior editor were convicted for voicemail interception, with custodial sentences imposed. The message is clear. No reputable UK PI should offer or attempt hacking.
Are You the Victim of Electronic Surveillance?
If you suspect your phone or accounts are compromised, take immediate steps:
- Change passwords and enable two factor authentication on all services.
- Review account login history and revoke unknown sessions.
- Back up then factory reset devices you believe contain spyware.
Those willing to install software may also plant physical bugs such as hidden microphones or cameras. Consider a professional sweep if you have repeated warning signs.
We Offer Bug Sweeping Services Across the UK
Our bug sweep service uses specialist equipment to detect hidden microphones, cameras, and trackers in homes, offices, and vehicles. All inquiries are confidential. Contact an experienced detective for a free quote.
Anyone offering to hack a phone or social media is putting you at risk. If you have already paid a scammer, gather receipts and messages and report the fraud to your bank and Action Fraud. We can still help you plan a lawful investigation.
Common Myths and Realities
- Myth: A PI can read WhatsApp if you give them a number. Reality: Impossible without consent or unlawful access.
- Myth: Deleted messages can be pulled remotely. Reality: Remote extraction without consent is unlawful. Device owner cooperation is required for any forensic work.
- Myth: Everyone is doing it quietly. Reality: Those who try are committing offences and risk prison. Courts also reject unlawfully obtained evidence.
We plan lawful, discreet investigations that get usable results. Request a free, no obligation quote with dates, locations, and objectives.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it legal if I know my partner’s passcode?
Using someone else’s device or account without clear consent can still be unlawful and will usually harm your position. Speak to us for safer options.
Can you get phone records from a network?
No. Networks will not release call or message content to private parties. We do not request or obtain private telecoms data.
Will a court accept hacked screenshots?
Unlawfully obtained material can be excluded and may expose you to criminal or civil claims. Use lawful evidence that can stand up to scrutiny.
What should I do first if I suspect cheating?
Stop self-investigating on their devices. Keep a private log of times, places, and patterns. Ask us to design a lawful plan that fits your budget.
Related articles
Can Private Investigators Check Criminal Records in the UK?
May 26, 2023 - Reading time: 10 minutes
Updated on: September 4, 2025
As one of the UK’s leading detective agencies, we’re often asked whether private investigators can check criminal records during a background investigation. Many clients want to know if it’s possible to confirm whether someone has a conviction, court appearances, or a history of fraud. The answer is not straightforward: some records are off-limits, but others can be located through lawful methods such as court searches, open-source intelligence (OSINT), and reputation screening.
Can Private Investigators Access Police Records?
No. Private investigators in the UK cannot access police-held criminal records or run DBS checks without consent. These databases are restricted and only available to the police, courts, and authorised organisations. Attempting to gain access would breach the Data Protection Act and GDPR.
However, this doesn’t mean you can’t uncover valuable background information. Investigators use a wide range of lawful sources that can still paint a detailed picture of a person’s history.
OSINT and Court Record Searches
Open-source intelligence (OSINT) is the backbone of modern investigations. For criminal history and behaviour, this can include:
- Court listings - Magistrates’ and Crown Court appearances are often reported in public listings or local press
- County Court Judgments (CCJs) - evidence of unpaid debts or fraud-related claims
- Bankruptcy & insolvency registers - for financial background checks
- Press archives - reports on charges, sentencing, or ongoing cases
- Online databases - certain court databases allow case searches in England & Wales
- Social media - subjects may post or be tagged in content relating to arrests or legal disputes
Unlike a DBS check, OSINT can reveal pending court appearances or ongoing cases, not just historical convictions. That can be crucial when making decisions about trust and safety.
DBS Checks vs Private Investigator Checks
A criminal record check - now the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) - requires the individual’s explicit consent. Employers use DBS when hiring for sensitive jobs such as teaching, childcare, healthcare, or financial positions. DBS only shows certain past convictions and cautions.
Private investigators cannot apply for a DBS check on your behalf. Instead, we focus on what’s lawfully available in the public domain. This often gives a broader view - for example, if someone has recently been charged or is currently in court, that may not appear on a DBS certificate but can show up in OSINT checks.
Reputation and Character Checks
Beyond criminal records, reputation matters. We regularly carry out reputation checks for clients which can include:
- Media searches for fraud allegations, scams, or misconduct
- Review of civil court claims (employment tribunals, landlord disputes)
- Social media behaviour and online reviews
- Professional history - Companies House directorships, dissolved businesses, disqualifications
These checks can highlight patterns of behaviour that might not appear in a DBS certificate but are highly relevant to personal safety, due diligence, or corporate vetting.
When Background Checks Are Useful
Typical reasons to instruct a PI for criminal and reputation background checks include:
- Pre-relationship checks - ensuring a partner has no hidden court cases
- Employment vetting - high-trust roles such as finance, security, or childcare
- Tenant checks - avoiding unreliable or high-risk renters
- Nanny or babysitter screening - child protection due diligence
- Business due diligence - confirming a prospective partner or investor is reputable
- Fraud prevention - protecting against scams or misleading claims
Our work is fast, discreet, and always within the law - giving clients peace of mind without breaching privacy regulations.
Legal Limits and Important Notes
We cannot and do not access the Police National Computer or any restricted government system. Instead, we build intelligence using OSINT and lawful registers. Key points to remember:
- Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 - certain spent convictions must not be disclosed
- GDPR and DPA compliance - all research is proportionate and lawful
- No DBS without consent - only the subject or authorised employers can request it
- Pending cases - these may show up in court records and press, even if not yet convicted
To learn more about our criminal background checks, court record searches, or reputation screening services, please get in touch in confidence.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can private investigators do DBS checks?
No. DBS checks require consent and can only be requested by authorised employers or the individual.
Can a PI see if someone has been in court?
Yes, if the appearance is recorded in public listings, news articles, or court databases. Pending cases may appear here before conviction.
Is it legal for a PI to check someone’s background?
Yes, provided it is done using lawful OSINT methods and compliant with GDPR. Investigators cannot hack, trespass, or access restricted databases.
What kind of information can be found?
Press reports, court listings, CCJs, bankruptcy records, Companies House filings, online behaviour, and general reputation indicators.
Why use a PI instead of doing it myself?
Professionals know where to look, how to cross-check data, and how to ensure information is admissible and compliant.
Contact Us
If you’d like a confidential quote for a background check or reputation screening, contact our experienced team. We operate nationwide and internationally where required.
Serve Court Papers on Someone in a UK Prison (HMP)
May 19, 2023 - Reading time: 18 minutes
Updated on: September 4, 2025
If you need to serve court paperwork on an individual currently held in His Majesty’s Prison (HMP) in the UK, we can help. Our nationwide process serving team handles document service on inmates for a wide range of matters including non-molestation orders, statutory demands, claim forms, possession and eviction proceedings, and divorce petitions.
Common scenarios include landlords progressing eviction against a tenant who has been remanded or sentenced, family proceedings that cannot wait, and civil claims with approaching deadlines. Serving papers correctly on a prisoner protects your timetable and helps avoid adjournments.
Why you should choose us
Prison visits can be daunting. Our agents are experienced with prison entry, security, and legal visit protocols. Using an independent process server keeps the situation calm and professional and improves the chance of a clean, evidenced serve.
- Experienced with HMP legal visit booking and entry procedures
- Clear communication with prison staff on arrival
- Court-ready Statement of Service / Affidavit of Service
- Prompt updates and proof for your solicitor or the court
Service of documents in prison: how it works
- Pre-check and booking - we confirm the prison location (HMP in England & Wales, SPS in Scotland, NIPS in Northern Ireland) and book a legal visit. You cannot just turn up at the gate.
- Security & access - our agent attends with approved ID and the documents. Prison rules apply: no prohibited items, and timings are fixed.
- Face-to-face service - the prisoner is brought to a legal visit room. Attendance is voluntary; if the prisoner refuses to attend or accept, we document refusal in detail.
- Alternative steps if refused - where rules allow, we can tender the documents (explain the nature and leave them available) or request internal delivery via staff. The outcome is recorded.
- Proof of service - you receive a signed Statement/Affidavit of Service setting out time, date, location, identity checks, and what was served. Where required, we provide photos of the sealed pack, visit log refs, and any refusal notes.
Important: prisoners cannot be forced to attend a legal visit. If the subject declines, a re-booked visit may be needed and further fees can apply. Our success rate is high, but no provider can guarantee cooperation.
What we need to proceed
- Full name of the prisoner (exact spelling)
- Date of birth and, ideally, prisoner number
- Prison name and location
- What is being served (eg. claim form, order, petition) and any deadline
- Any extra identifiers (photos, previous addresses) to aid confirmation
If the prison is unknown, the prison service will not disclose locations to private callers. We can run tracing enquiries first to establish the current establishment before booking service.
Timelines, fees, and what you receive
- Timescale - visit slots book up quickly. Instruct us as early as you can so we can secure a date before your deadline.
- Fees - a fixed fee covers the first booked visit and standard mileage. Additional fees apply if the prisoner refuses to attend or if a second visit is needed.
- Deliverables - a court-ready Statement/Affidavit of Service, plus any supporting evidence (visit reference, staff names where provided, refusal notes).
Frequently asked questions
Can you guarantee service on the first visit?
No. Attendance is voluntary. We maximise the chance by booking correctly, arriving prepared, and documenting any refusal so the court can give directions.
Will the prison give me the inmate’s location?
Prisons will not disclose locations to private individuals. If you are unsure which prison holds the subject, ask us about a trace first.
What documents can you serve inside HMP?
Common items include non-molestation orders, occupation orders, injunctions, statutory demands, divorce petitions, claim forms, possession notices, and committal applications (depending on case).
What proof do the courts accept?
A signed Statement/Affidavit of Service detailing date, time, prison, identity confirmation, what was served, and the outcome (acceptance or refusal). We can provide supporting details from the visit.
Do rules differ in Scotland or Northern Ireland?
Procedures and terminology vary slightly. We work across Great Britain and Northern Ireland and will follow local requirements for SPS and NIPS establishments.
Contact numbers for prisons & Young Offender Institutions in England and Wales
- HM Prison Altcourse, Liverpool - 01515 222000
- HM Prison Ashfield, Gloucestershire - 011730 38000
- HM Prison Askham Grange, North Yorkshire - 01904 772000
- HM Prison Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire - 01296 444000
- HM Prison Bedford, Bedfordshire - 01234 373000
- HM Prison Belmarsh, London - 02083 314400
- HM Prison Berwyn, Wrexham - 01978 523000
- HM Prison Birmingham, West Midlands - 0121 598 8000
- HM Prison & YOI Brinsford, Staffordshire - 01902 533450
- HM Prison Bristol, Bristol - 0117 372 3100
- HM Prison Brixton, London - 020 8588 6000
- HM Prison Bronzefield, Surrey - 01784 425690
- HM Prison Buckley Hall, Greater Manchester - 01706 514300
- HM Prison & YOI Bullingdon, Oxfordshire - 01869 353100
- HM Prison Bure, Norfolk - 01603 326000
- HM Prison Cardiff, Cardiff - 02920 923100
- HM Prison Channings Wood, Devon - 01803 812060
- HM Prison Chelmsford, Essex - 01245 552000
- HM Prison Coldingley, Surrey - 01483 344300
- HM Prison & YOI Cookham Wood, Kent - 01634 202500
- HM Prison Dartmoor, Devon - 01822 322000
- HM Prison & YOI Deerbolt, County Durham - 01833 633200
- HM Prison & YOI Doncaster, South Yorkshire - 01302 760870
- HM Prison Dovegate, Staffordshire - 01283 829400
- HM Prison Downview, Surrey - 0208196 6300
- HM Prison Drake Hall, Staffordshire - 01785 774100
- HM Prison Durham, County Durham - 0191 332 3400
- HM Prison East Sutton Park, Kent - 01622 785000
- HM Prison Eastwood Park, Gloucestershire - 01454 382100
- HM Prison Erlestoke, Wiltshire - 01380 814250
- HM Prison Exeter, Devon - 01392 415650
- HM Prison Featherstone, Staffordshire - 0300 060 6502
- HM Prison/YOI Feltham, London - 020 8844 5000
- HM Prison Ford, West Sussex - 01903 663000
- HM Prison Forest Bank, Greater Manchester - 0161 925 7000
- HM Prison & YOI Foston Hall, Derbyshire - 01283 584300
- HM Prison Five Wells, Northamptonshire - 01933 718888
- HM Prison Frankland, County Durham - 0191 376 5048
- HM Prison Full Sutton, East Riding of Yorkshire - 01759 475100
- HM Prison Garth, Lancashire - 01772 443300
- HM Prison Gartree, Leicestershire - 01858 426727
- HM Prison Grendon, Buckinghamshire - 01296 445243
- HM Prison Guys Marsh, Dorset - 01747 856586
- HM Prison & YOI Hatfield, South Yorkshire - 01405 746500
- HM Prison Haverigg, Cumbria - 01229 713000
- HM Prison Hewell, Worcestershire - 01527 785000
- HM Prison High Down, Surrey - 0207147 6300
- HM Prison Highpoint, Suffolk - 01440 743100
- HM Prison Hindley, Greater Manchester - 01942 663234
- HM Prison Hollesley Bay, Suffolk - 01394 412400
- HM Prison Holme House, County Durham - 01642 744355
- HM Prison Hull, East Riding of Yorkshire - 01482 282200
- HM Prison Humber, East Riding of Yorkshire - 01430 273000
- HM Prison/YOI Huntercombe, Oxfordshire - 01491 643100
- HM Prison/YOI Isis, London - 0203 356 4324
- HM Prison Isle of Wight (Albany), Isle of Wight - 01983 634000
- HM Prison Kirkham, Lancashire - 01772 675400
- HM Prison Kirklevington Grange, North Yorkshire - 01642 792600
- HM Prison Lancaster Farms, Lancashire - 01524 563450
- HM Prison Leeds, West Yorkshire - 01132 032600
- HM Prison Leicester, Leicestershire - 01162 283000
- HM Prison Lewes, East Sussex - 01273 785100
- HM Prison Leyhill, Gloucestershire - 01454 264000
- HM Prison Lincoln, Lincolnshire - 01522 663000
- HM Prison Lindholme, South Yorkshire - 01302 524700
- HM Prison Littlehey, Cambridgeshire - 01480 335000
- HM Prison Liverpool, Merseyside - 0151 530 4000
- HM Prison Long Lartin, Worcestershire - 01386 295100
- HM Prison & YOI Low Newton, County Durham - 0191 376 4000
- HM Prison Lowdham Grange, Nottinghamshire - 0115 966 9208
- HM Prison Maidstone, Kent - 01622 775300
- HM Prison Manchester, Greater Manchester - 0161 817 5600
- HM Prison Moorland, South Yorkshire - 01302 523000
- HM Prison Morton Hall, Lincolnshire - 0300 303 0649
- HM Prison New Hall & YOI, West Yorkshire - 01924 803000
- HM Prison Northumberland, Northumberland - 01670 383100
- HM Prison North Sea Camp, Lincolnshire - 01205 769300
- HM Prison Norwich, Norfolk - 01603 708600
- HM Prison Nottingham, Nottinghamshire - 0115 872 4000
- HM Prison Oakwood, Staffordshire - 01902 799700
- HM Prison Onley, Warwickshire - 01788 523400
- HM Prison & YOI Parc, Mid Glamorgan - 01656 300200
- HM Prison Pentonville, London - 020 7023 7000
- HM Prison & YOI Peterborough, Cambridgeshire - 01733 217500
- HM Prison & YOI Portland, Dorset - 01305 715600
- HM Prison Prescoed, Monmouthshire - 01291 675000
- HM Prison Preston, Lancashire - 01772 444550
- HM Prison Ranby, Nottinghamshire - 01777 862000
- HM Prison Risley, Cheshire - 01925 733000
- HM Prison & YOI Rochester, Kent - 01634 803100
- HM Prison Rye Hill, Northamptonshire - 01788 523300
- HM Prison Send, Surrey - 01483 471000
- HM Prison Elmley (Sheppey Cluster), Kent - 01795 802000
- HM Prison Standford Hill (Sheppey Cluster), Kent - 01795 884500
- HM Prison Swaleside (Sheppey Cluster), Kent - 01795 804100
- HM Prison Stafford, Staffordshire - 01785 773000
- HM Prison Stocken, Rutland - 01780 795100
- HM Prison & YOI Stoke Heath, Shropshire - 01630 636000
- HM Prison & YOI Styal, Cheshire - 01625 553000
- HM Prison Sudbury, Derbyshire - 01283 584000
- HM Prison Swansea, Swansea - 01792 485300
- HM Prison Swinfen Hall, Staffordshire - 01543 484000
- HM Prison Thameside, London - 020 8317 9777
- HM Prison The Mount, Hertfordshire - 01442 836300
- HM Prison The Verne, Dorset - 01305 825000
- HM Prison Thorn Cross, Cheshire - 01925 805100
- HM Prison Usk, Monmouthshire - 01291 671600
- HM Prison Wakefield, West Yorkshire - 01924 612000
- HM Prison Wandsworth, London - 020 8588 4000
- HM Prison Warren Hill, Suffolk - 01394 633400
- HM Prison Wayland, Norfolk - 01953 804100
- HM Prison Wealstun, West Yorkshire - 01937 444400
- HM YOI Werrington, Staffordshire - 01782 463300
- HM YOI Wetherby, West Yorkshire - 01937 544200
- HM Prison Whatton, Nottinghamshire - 01949 803200
- HM Prison Whitemoor, Cambridgeshire - 01354 602350
- HM Prison Winchester, Hampshire - 01962 723000
- HM Prison & YOI Woodhill, Buckinghamshire - 01908 722000
- HM Prison Wormwood Scrubs, London - 020 8588 3200
- HM Prison Wymott, Lancashire - 01772 442000
Contact numbers for prisons & Young Offender Institutions in Scotland
- HM Prison Addiewell, West Lothian - 01506 874500
- HM Prison Barlinnie, Glasgow - 0141 770 2000
- HM Prison Castle Huntly, Perth and Kinross - 01382 319329
- HM Prison & YOI Cornton Vale, Stirling - 01786 832591
- HM Prison Dumfries, Dumfries and Galloway - 01387 261218
- HM Prison Edinburgh, Edinburgh - 0131 444 3000
- HM Prison Glenochil, Clackmannanshire - 01259 760471
- HM Prison & YOI Grampian, Aberdeenshire - 01779 485600
- HM Prison Greenock, Inverclyde - 01475 787801
- HM Prison Inverness, Highland - 01463 229000
- HM Prison Kilmarnock, East Ayrshire - 01563 548800
- HM Prison Low Moss, East Dunbartonshire - 0141 762 9500
- HM Prison Perth, Perth and Kinross - 01738 622293
- HM Prison/YOI Polmont, Falkirk - 01324 711558
- HM Prison Shotts, North Lanarkshire - 01501 824000
Contact numbers for prisons & Young Offender Institutions in Northern Ireland
- HM Prison Maghaberry, County Antrim - 028 9261 1888
- HM Prison Magilligan, County Londonderry - 028 7776 3311
- HM Prison Hydebank Wood, County Down - 028 9025 3849
- Woodlands Juvenile Justice Centre, County Down - 028 9185 4600
Ready to proceed? For a free quote, contact us and include the document type and the prison name. We will confirm availability, costs, and the earliest bookable visit.
Can Private Investigators Trace IP Addresses?
January 13, 2023 - Reading time: 8 minutes
Updated on: September 4, 2025
As a leading UK detective agency, we are often asked whether private investigators can trace IP addresses. From debtor tracing and fraud investigations to online harassment and catfishing, clients sometimes only have a handful of digital clues. The reality is that an IP address on its own is a weak identifier, but it can be useful when combined with other data in a lawful open source intelligence (OSINT) investigation.
Tracing IP addresses using data leaks and OSINT
Sometimes an IP appears in a public data breach or archived log, alongside an email, username, or name. In those cases we can connect the dots. We also look at:
- Press and forum archives that reference the IP
- Historic server or paste sites that list IPs with usernames
- Social media posts or profiles that expose network details
- Marketplace or gaming handles tied to the same IP
Shared or dynamic IPs, mobile carrier NAT, and cloud hosting often muddy the water. OSINT can surface leads, but attribution must be handled carefully and lawfully.
Subscriber data and legal disclosure
Subscriber details - the name and address behind an internet connection - are held by the ISP and are not available to the public or to investigators. To lawfully obtain them you generally need a court order or solicitor led disclosure in a civil matter, or a police request in a criminal case. We can assess whether your facts support legal escalation and coordinate with your solicitor if appropriate.
VPNs, proxies and Tor
If a user routes traffic through a VPN, proxy, hosting provider, or Tor, the IP usually points to the service, not the person. Some providers keep logs for a limited time, others do not. Without logs and a lawful disclosure route, precise attribution is unlikely.
Tracing someone from a phone number
Phone numbers are often more promising than IPs. Clues may come from:
- Carrier and number format lookups
- Reverse searches on classifieds, marketplaces, and review sites
- Checks against leaked credential sets and scam reports
- Profiles on messaging apps where privacy settings are open
Tracing someone from an email address
Email addresses tend to leave stronger trails:
- Handles reused on social networks and forums
- Avatars or profile pictures repeated across platforms
- Breaches linking names, phones, or partial addresses
- Domain registrations tied to that email
What an IP address can usually show
- Approximate city or region
- Country
- Network or ISP name (BT, Virgin, EE, AWS, etc.)
These are useful context markers but rarely enough to identify an individual without more evidence.
IP addresses vs GPS location tools
Some websites claim to offer precise GPS coordinates from an IP address. In reality they often just return the centre of a city or the ISP’s office location, not the user’s house. For example, a London IP might show Trafalgar Square coordinates, even if the person lives in Croydon or Camden.
Image: GPS coordinates 51.5072° N, 0.1276° W - often shown as a default ‘London centre’ pin. Credit: Google Maps
To trace an IP to a specific address, subscriber data from the ISP is required - and only law enforcement or solicitors with court approval can obtain it.
How we approach IP-led investigations
- Check if the IP appears in public breaches or archives
- Cross-reference against emails, phone numbers, and usernames
- Review whether facts justify legal disclosure via a solicitor
- Prepare clear, documented reports for court or police use
Need help tracing someone online?
If you’re dealing with fraud, harassment, or anonymous activity, we can assess what you have and explain realistic options. For a confidential consultation, get in touch with our team. We operate UK-wide and can assist internationally where required.
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