FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
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PROFESSIONAL SERVICES What services do you provide? Can you provide services in the US as well as in other countries? I think my spouse is cheating on me. Can you help me? Do you provide accident investigations? Can you locate missing persons? Can you provide security for my employees abroad? CAPABILITIES What does "corporate investigation" mean? What are standard elements of a corporate investigation? What is "due diligence"? What is "risk avoidance"? What makes Smith Brandon International, Inc. unique? Who are your typical clients? Can you provide country reports and political risk assessments all over the world? Can you provide background checks all over the world? What resources do you use? How much do you rely on databases to complete projects? How can you get information on individuals or corporations abroad? QUALITY When you speak of a "private intelligence service," does that imply that you will follow international legal standards? Are your background investigations conducted within ethical standards? Is the information obtained legally? Are your overseas sources and the information they provide reliable? Do you provide information / business intelligence, as well as analysis? Do you have references of current and former clients? CONFIDENTIALITY Will my inquiry be treated confidentially? Will the subject be aware of an on-going investigation? Will my identity be revealed to anyone? TIMELINESS How quickly can you get me information to support my investment decisions? I have an emergency; can you help me immediately? PROFESSIONAL FEES How much do you charge for your services? Do you charge by the hour? JOBS Can I apply for a job with Smith Brandon International, Inc.? Can I become an investigator for you in my local business community or country? PROFESSIONAL SERVICES What services do you provide? We provide a variety of services to small, medium and large companies in the United States and abroad: • Worldwide due diligence on corporations • Business and competitive intelligence • Mergers and acquisition business intelligence and support • Background investigations on individuals and corporations • Global investigations • Litigation support • Security consulting for companies with international operations • Political risk assessment • Threat assessment of countries / locations of corporate subsidiaries / facilities • Risk avoidance counsel • On-line and personal training on how to recognize and avoid fraud • 24-hour security details for corporate personnel traveling abroad • Around-the-clock security details (including armed bodyguards and armored vehicles) for overseas operations and expatriate employees • Asset searches • Support for compliance programs related to the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) • Support for compliance programs related to the USA PATRIOT Act Please call us for a complimentary initial consultation. We are able to offer a variety of services to individuals and companies in all industries and would be pleased to discuss your special circumstances and needs. Can you provide services in the US as well as in other countries? Yes. We can assist with due diligence investigations, background investigations, litigation support, etc., in countries around the world. Because our coverage is so extensive, no country is beyond the scope of our investigations. Please call for coverage in a specific country. I think my spouse is cheating on me. Can you help me? While Smith Brandon International, Inc. does not provide personal surveillance, we are able to refer you to reliable companies that specialize in investigations related to marital disputes. Do you provide accident investigations? While Smith Brandon International, Inc. does not offer accident investigation services, we are able to refer you to reliable companies that specialize in accident investigations. Can you locate missing persons? We have successfully located persons who have relocated outside the US to avoid prosecution or to conceal money or assets they embezzled from our clients. We have also located persons with personal or family ties who had lost contact with friends and family members for various reasons. You may contact us at any time to discuss your case with us. We would be pleased to discuss with you how we can best assist you in locating missing persons. Can you provide security for my employees abroad? Yes. Smith Brandon International, Inc. is frequently involved in security provisions for companies with overseas operations. We can provide you with short-term security such as armed bodyguards and private drivers, security analysis in advance of your planned travel, as well as long-term security for your expatriate employees and interests overseas. [PAGE TOP] CAPABILITIES What does "corporate investigation" mean? A corporate investigation is, simply put, an investigation into a company's business operations. This kind of investigation is typically conducted to evaluate a business partner, a business associate, a potential target for merger & acquisition, a suspected incident of fraud or embezzlement, or other areas of business operations. In a global economy, corporate investigations begun in one country, may lead to information requirements in other countries or jurisdictions. SBI is capable of pursuing a single investigation from one country to another, across international borders, using a network of professional associates in different countries. What are the standard elements of a corporate investigation? The elements of a corporate investigation are based on the specific requirements of a specific client. Those requirements are dictated by corporate (or individual) goals. Corporate investigations typically include a review of local (in-country) public records, such as litigation records, bankruptcy records, and criminal records. Also included may be verification of credentials or contact with local regulatory authorities, public licensing or other government agencies, professional associations (for lawyers or accountants, etc.), or educational institutions (for verification of degrees). Reputational checks may include contacting local references, as well as inquiries with local authorities and business representatives about how an individual is regarded within the local business community. What is "due diligence"?
What is "risk avoidance"? Risk avoidance is a strategy that presumes a proactive approach to business operations, based on the classic guidance that "knowledge is power." Businesses are continually urged to "grow their business," but growth means change and trying the previously untried. The only sensible approach is to investigate the new frontiers in advance, investigate the prospective executives, the new country or region where business is being pursued, and investigate the apparently irregular situation to determine if it meets ethical and compliance standards. What makes Smith Brandon International, Inc. unique?
Who are your typical clients? We do not have a "typical" client. SBI has served hundreds of clients, which include many Fortune 500 companies, as well as small and medium-sized companies in the United States, the European Union, Latin America, Africa, Asia and the Middle East. We address investigations and consulting needs in all industries, ranging from financial, legal, and pharmaceutical industries to energy, insurance and real estate. SBI is able to provide business intelligence and political risk assessments on business environments around the world. We have the experience and expertise that can evaluate the most complex corporate operations and the countries in which they operate. We operate as a private intelligence agency, at the disposal of our clients, to support and assist in pursuing your business goals and objectives. We believe that everybody should conduct a basic evaluation of people and companies with whom they are dealing. Before you entrust your business and your reputation to someone, make sure they are who they say they are and have the qualifications they say they have. Our recommendation: Know where you are going, and how to get there. But researching a country or conducting an internet search is not enough. You need to know the political environment and country-specific risk factors from qualified, capable, real-world professionals. We are in a great position to verify the qualifications and check the background of your business partners, contractors, vendors, employees, salespeople, bankers and anyone else who may be critical to your company’s successful operations. Can you provide country reports and political risk assessments all over the world? Yes. We are experienced and qualified in working around the world. We have lived and worked abroad, and have government service backgrounds that assist us in understanding how governments work. Personal contacts are critical to understanding the local environment, and in understanding "red flags" and recognizing opportunities for growth and expansion. We have a worldwide network of such personal contacts, and eagerly make use of them in our investigations. Can you provide background checks all over the world? Yes. We are widely recognized for our ability to provide background checks, investigations and consulting services in virtually every country in the world. We work with reliable, vetted in-country sources known to us from many years of collaborative professional relationships. Our associates are all professional investigators, drawn from the business, financial, legal, diplomatic, intelligence and law enforcement communities. Using in-country sources guarantees that there will be no language barriers in obtaining criminal and civil (e.g., litigation or bankruptcy) records or in verifying employment, professional or education credentials. In addition, local investigators will be in a better position to obtain information on the targets due to their familiarity with bureaucratic requirements. And they are able to conduct site visits to verify an actual address or provide additional information that may support your strategic management decisions. What resources do you use? We have an experienced, qualified staff, headed by our principals, Gene M. Smith and Skip Brandon. Our staff is trained in research, analysis, and writing skills that relate to countries, industries and corporate operations. They are experienced in pursuing multi-tiered, multi-jurisdictional investigations around the world. They have access to state-of-the-art and proprietary databases, as well as access to reliable sources that have been part of the SBI network for many years. We treat our sources with the same discretion as we treat our clients and are unable to disclose details as to professional associates. However, we can provide details on their qualifications. You can rest assured that we work with resources who have proven their reliability. We also use many public and proprietary databases to fulfill your needs. In limited circumstances, Ms. Smith and Mr. Brandon are available to pursue in-country investigations that require immediate, in-person investigations. These investigations are typically of a more complex nature and require briefings and in-depth preparation prior to any travel to the operations under investigation. How much do you rely on databases to complete projects? In the US: Many US databases can provide information such as contact information, address histories, names and addresses of relatives and neighbors, certain assets (e.g., airplanes, boats or cars), corporate affiliations, litigation history, and UCC filings. However, many of these databases contain duplicate and sometimes even inaccurate information; it may require careful review to decipher and delineate the critical information. We use experienced analysts, working under supervision, to review this data. Generally, databases alone are only the starting point for a SBI investigation and must be supplemented by on-site investigations, such as verifying an actual street address for a person or an office, retrieving pertinent court records, or contacting local references in regard to a business or an individual. Outside the US: Databases abroad are the exception, not the rule. When databases are not available, which is more common than not in foreign jurisdictions, or when databases do not provide complete information, we utilize our in-country sources. We generally confirm or double-check the information from the databases and local (in-country) media resources with our in-country sources for accuracy and complementary information on the subject of the investigation. How can you get information on individuals or corporations abroad? Our in-country sources are trained, experienced, professional investigators from the business, financial, legal, diplomatic, intelligence and law enforcement communities. We work with the sources to obtain information as to reputation within the local business community and to review public records on the subjects of investigation. Working with local resources and partners on a case-by-case basis rather than opening offices in all locations where SBI operates helps contain project costs, as it eliminates overhead and other costs related to overseas office operations. Such an arrangement also contributes to a more efficient response to tasking, eliminating layers of bureaucracy between the client and the final reporting, as well as eliminating the expense associated with multiple layers of corporate bureaucracy. [PAGE TOP] QUALITY When you speak of a "private intelligence service," does that imply that you will follow international legal standards? Yes. Information in many countries and many cultures is available within restricted circles of business professionals in that country. At the same time, this information is not generally available through media, database or internet sources. Our associates operate within these circles of respected professionals with access to sensitive information. Are your background investigations conducted within ethical standards? Yes. Smith Brandon International, Inc. applies the highest ethical standards in its work. SBI is committed to a standard of excellence. Is the information obtained legally? Yes. We only provide services that are legally and ethically obtained. You can expect the highest standards in our work and our products. Are your overseas sources and the information they provide reliable? Yes. We only use sources that are well known to us from prior investigations and from many years of professional cooperation. We think the use of experienced, in-country professionals with access and well-honed skills and capabilities serves as an excellent point of reference that supplements and supports the information we obtain through research or from information providers or public records. In some instances, for example, in countries where public records may be inaccessible, unreliable or where fraud is common, we engage duplicate resources to enhance the coverage and ensure the reliability of the reporting. Do you provide information / business intelligence, as well as analysis? Yes. We provide details that are based on in-country reporting, as well as analysis of the reporting to assist in interpreting the information provided to us - which may come to us in a language other than English, depending on the local environment. We typically resolve any conflicts in the reporting from our sources and insist upon clarification of information before we send you our report. We are dedicated to producing a premium report in a timely fashion, and you will be able to rely on our reporting and our analysis of the details provided. Do you have references of current and former clients? Yes. References can be provided upon request. Due to the confidential nature of our work, we generally do not disclose the names or addresses of our clients. In special circumstances, we are able to provide you with references from selected clients. Please call us to discuss your need for references. [PAGE TOP] CONFIDENTIALITY Will my inquiry be treated confidentially? Will the subject be aware of an on-going investigation? Unless authorized or specifically instructed by you, we treat all inquiries with complete discretion and confidentiality. With our standard of excellence as applied to the care and professionalism of each of our investigations, it is unlikely that information related to the investigation will circulate in the local business community; under any circumstances, our local associate is generally not provided with full details on the purpose of the investigation or any persons or entities associated with the investigation. Will my identity be revealed to anyone? Unless authorized or specifically instructed by you, your inquiry with SBI will be kept in complete confidence throughout the investigation and past the completion of our assignment. TIMELINESS How quickly can you get me information to support my investment decisions? Every case is unique and the time required to provide you with a report depends in part on the information you are looking for. Before accepting a case we will give you an estimate of the expected turnaround time, taking into account possible delays in obtaining results from foreign government agencies that are often not as easily accessible as in the US. Our network of local investigators is a major factor in our ability to reduce the turnaround time as they are intrinsically familiar with the local systems and are able to quickly cut through red tape to obtain the desired information. We understand that your requests are critical and strive for the quickest possible turnaround time. SBI can move on a project within 24 hours of authorization, virtually anywhere in the world. Special consideration will be given in emergency situations, such as natural or political emergencies where immediate assistance is necessary. We have successfully assisted client companies with requests for assistance over the weekend and within 24 hours to protect their expatriate employees in cases of emergencies. I have an emergency; can you help me immediately? We understand that sometimes emergency situations come up unexpectedly, and need to be resolved quickly. We encourage you to call us immediately to discuss your problems. In previous cases, especially those relating to physical security, we have safely supported our clients’ operations within less than 24 hours of contact and occurrence of the emergency. [PAGE TOP] PROFESSIONAL FEES How much do you charge for your services? Our prices vary depending on the specific requirements of a case, the country and city in which an investigation is conducted, the complexities of a case, the time constraints, and other issues that relate to the sensitivity of the investigation itself. We are able to provide a tentative fee for a prospective investigation, based on information provided by the client. For example, an investigation on an individual in the US alone will be less expensive than an investigation on an individual with residence or business operations in, for example, the US, the Caribbean Basin, Panama and Uruguay. Fees will also vary with the nature of your case, i.e., the fee associated with investigations of an individual will be different than due diligence on a business with operations in several countries. In general, certain jurisdictions are more difficult than others; our fees reflect this variance. Please call us for a complimentary initial consultation to discuss your case. A binding non-disclosure agreement can be completed prior to any consultation. Consultations can be conducted in coordination with legal or corporate counsel, as appropriate. In general, a conflict check will be conducted to ensure there is no conflict of interest on the part of SBI in discussing your business operations. Do you charge by the hour? In general, we work on a fixed fee basis. Once we have obtained details related to your specific issues and your goals, we will outline the proposed professional services related to your specific case and any case-specific expenses that are anticipated. Our fees will include standard expenses, such as in-country sources, proprietary database access and overhead expenses. The exception will be travel expenses or other substantial changes in services rendered, with all such variations subject to prior authorization by the client. [PAGE TOP] JOBS Can I apply for a job with Smith Brandon International, Inc.? We are always interested in hearing from qualified individuals with backgrounds in investigative work and international security consulting. Please send us your resume (inline, not as an attachment) with a brief introductory letter to info@smithbrandon.com or by fax at 202.887.1395. We will contact you if your qualifications match our immediate needs; otherwise, we will maintain your resume for future consideration. Can I become an investigator for you in my local business community or country? We usually work with investigators who are personally known to us from prior projects or previous professional association. However, we are always interested in hearing from qualified individuals with a background in professional investigations. Please fill out the form in our "Contact Us" section and we will contact you if we have an immediate need for an investigator in your local business community. You can also send us an e-mail at info@smithbrandon.com or send us a fax at 202.887.1395. We make a point of contacting individuals during frequent international travel; we would be pleased to meet with you as our schedules permit. |
Smith Brandon has a network of experienced professionals throughout the world.
Smith Brandon International has a network of experienced professionals anywhere in the world.
1156 15th Street NW, Suite 510
Washington, DC 20005
(202) 887-9363
info@smithbrandon.com
Global assurances for a world
filled with uncertainties.
Member of:
ABA
ACFE
ASIS International
FCIB-NACM
Former Special Agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation
IACP
Kentucky Bar Association
NAPBS
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