SEPARATING OR DIVORCING? 8 Things You Can Do to Secure Your Technology for Peace of Mind

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8 Things You Can Do to Secure Your Technology for Peace of Mind

If you are going through a separation or divorce you are likely wondering if and how you are being tracked and monitored.  Here are 8 Things You Can Do to Secure Your Technology for Peace of Mind.

Are you newly separated or currently going through a separation or divorce?  Our checklist will help you take control of your documents, home and your technology to avoid tracking and snooping by your Ex.

1. Ditch your phone.

  • Move your phone to a separate account that only you control

2. Check your kids’ Phones & Tablets.

  • If your children have phones or tablets that your Ex controls, they can be used as tracking devices. Turn them off or move them to your account.

3. Set up a new email account

  • Use a strong password
  • Forward emails from your other account if necessary

4. Change all Passwords/Login info/email addresses associated with:*

  • Email Account(s)
  • Social Media
  • Apple ID – iCloud – iTunes – Google Play
  • Computers / Laptops
  • Security Cameras
  • Garage / Gate Codes
  • Wi-Fi (Verify that you have a password setup and/or change it)
  • Online Banking
  • All apps (Uber, Netflix, Venmo, eBay)
  • 401K, IRA’s, Insurance, Credit Cards, Mortgage, Car loans, Student loans

5.  Find out if your car has GPS integrated. If it does, take control of the account and/or get it turned off.

6.  Secure all personal documents and create digital copies.

  • Birth Certificate
  • Marriage license
  • Deed(s) to home(s)
  • Car Title(s)
  • Medical Records

7. Bank Accounts-  create a list of all known bank accounts including bank name, account numbers, account types and general description of what they are used for.

8. Notify all professionals that you do business with that you are going through a divorce or are separated.

  • Accountant
  • Insurance Agent
  • Lawyer
  • Real Estate Professional
  • Schools

If you need assistance or have questions, feel free to call us at 949-900-3400.

Additional Resources:

“Is My House Bugged” VIDEO

“Best Password App- LastPass” VIDEO

“What Happens When your Lose Access to Your Family Computer”  VIDEO

 

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Friending Litigants on Facebook

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Friending Litigants on FacebookIn this video, Tim Santoni talks about why it is a bad idea on multiple levels to friend a litigant on Facebook or any other social media platform.  Making contact with a litigated party is not a smart move and whether you are an attorney, paralegal or an investigator working for an attorney on a litigated matter. You need to understand that the manner in which information and evidence is obtained is crucial. Evidence obtained through unlawful means can be deemed inadmissible and can open up the parties involved to sanctions, penalties, fines, etc.

If you believe there is valuable evidence and information buried in the Facebook profile of a litigant there are open source investigation techniques (OSINT) that can often uncover this information without making a “friend” request.

Before you engage an associate, paralegal or private investigator to conduct social media research make sure you understand their approach and know what you can be getting yourself into. Engage only with a trusted private investigator who has experience in litigated matters and is licensed.

Have a look at the related videos below;

4 Tools for Online Investigations (VIDEO)

Social Media Preservation (VIDEO)

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Locate Investigations / Skip Traces – By Jacqueline Macare

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Locate Investigations-Skip-Tracing

a Santoni Story Locate Investigations Skip Tracing with Jacqueline Macare

Locate Investigations (Skip Traces) can be challenging even if a client provides a name, date of birth, social security number, last known address, etc. When a client requests that we locate an individual with only a name and license plate number, it is very difficult. Late last week we were asked to locate an individual who was a suspect in a hit and run with a common name & a license plate number, likely living in San Francisco. Unfortunately, California leads the nation in fatal hit and run crashes so we are often called to locate individuals for this reason. A comprehensive search indexed to his name and San Francisco returned too many results to be productive. It was then decided that we run what’s called a Vehicle Sightings Report which utilizes a database of over two billion vehicle sightings, including current sightings (last 30 days), recent sightings (31-90 days) and historical sightings (older than 90 days). The database acquires these sightings from street and traffic cameras, including cameras in underground and public parking lots.

A search of the plate returned 23 sightings, with 20 of the sightings being “current.” Many times, a Vehicle Sighting Report does not yield results, or the results are too old.  The majority of sightings for this particular vehicle were in the cul-de-sac of a residential neighborhood.

Finally, we were able to narrow down our results to one person matching the subject’s name, by searching databases indexed to his name and street of possible residence. We confirmed his residence and provided our client with results in just one day.

Vehicle Sighting Reports are a powerful tool if results are found. We can use the information obtained by the report in a locate investigation of current residences, employers, and identify habits.

Please contact Santoni if you have any questions about Vehicle Sightings Reports and Locate Investigations / Skip Traces. – by Jacqueline Macare

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Jacqueline Macare Earns FCRA Advanced Certification

Jacqueline Macare Earns FCRA Advanced CertificationJacqueline Macare is a Background Screening & Investigative Consultant at Santoni.  She recently earned her FCRA Advanced Certification (NAPBS). Jacqueline previously obtained her FCRA Basic Certification.  

The NABPS is the organization that trusted Background Screening companies and their employees rely on to assist with advocacy, legislation training and compliance.  The certifications offered to team members of NAPBS members allow background screeners, commonly referred to as CRA’s, the ability to enhance the background screening industry as a whole by understanding how to adhere to the many laws and regulations that govern screening activities of employers, landlords and screening companies.

At Santoni we are committed to delivering compliant background screening services and we commend Jacqueline for furthering her skillset and understanding of compliance.  Santoni team members and clients benefit from the having a well-trained and experienced Screening Consultant that they can rely on.

If you have questions for Jacqueline or anyone on the Santoni team about Certifications with NAPBS or general background screening compliance feel free to contact us at 949-900-3400.

 

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Shane Nelson Joins the Santoni Team

Shane NelsonIrvine, Calif.— Santoni Investigations & Backgrounds– has increased its focus on growing its business and providing current and new clients with the reliable, consultative services with the recent hire of investigative consultant, Shane Nelson. Nelson formerly the Chief of Investigations with a Southern California Gaming Commission where he managed the investigations and licensing departments. Nelson also worked for the United States Border Patrol as a Border Patrol Agent.  Nelson is a Licensed Private Investigator a Certified Fraud Examiner (Association of Certified Fraud Examiners), and a United States Navy Veteran.

“As we look to deliver more consultative services to our clients we need experienced team members that can draw on their experiences and training to develop effective and efficient investigative plans and tactics,” says Tim Santoni, President of Santoni. “We offer an all-inclusive menu of investigative consulting services which include, employment background screening workers’ comp claims, intellectual property and brand protection which all include documentation and reports to make any legal action easier to win. With the addition of Shane, we will be able to respond to our clients need and deliver when they need us the most.”

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Orange County Bar Association Golf Tournament

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The “Lex Romana” Team played in the 31st Annual Judge Kenneth Lae Charity Golf Tournament to support the Orange County Bar Association Charitable Fund.

Mike Santoni, Joseph S. D’Antony, John R. DiCaro, Joseph A. Ferrucci

Italian Lawyers & Investigators supporting the Orange County Bar Association!

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Big Thanks to Marc Hankin and Provisors for Inviting Tim Santoni to Speak

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“How to Protect Your IP Assets”

Tim Santoni and Mark Hankin

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Santoni Investigations Announces Donation to Casa Teresa

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At this time of year we reflect on the successes and failures of the previous year as we spend time with family and loved ones. We make every effort to make the holiday season joyous for our families, especially young children in our lives. We exchange gifts and the joy and happiness that is shared is unparelled. The looks on the faces of the young children are priceless and the memories last a lifetime.

Imagine being a pregnant woman in your late teens or early twenties. You have been abused; you are hungry and lonely without family or friends to celebrate the holidays with. Can you imagine bringing a baby into that kind world?

Casa Teresa is an organization that takes in young women on a regular basis that have nowhere to turn. These young women have often been abused, are addicted to drugs and alcohol and have been in an out of jail. On top of that they are pregnant and don’t have the tools or resources to prepare themselves for bringing a new baby into this world.

The gifts that Casa Teresa provides are priceless and the people that work at and donate to this organization are impacting the lives of young women and their children.

The young mothers to be are provided with top-notch counseling, they learn life-skills, have an opportunity to complete their high school education and are given the opportunity to pursue college. As they move from the parenting house to the other residences that Casa Teresa offers as young mothers get on their feet and take responsibility for their lives. They are also able to build a network of friends that they can rely on and trust.

Santoni Investigations is proud to support an organization that makes a difference in the lives of young women. Their commitment to serve and teach is remarkable.

To see a moving story about how Casa Teresa makes a difference in the lives of young women

For more information about Casa Teresa, Contact:

Lyrissa Roman
Development Coordinator
[email protected]
714-538-4860 ext. 28

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Tim Santoni, to be Interviewed on Will Crist’s Radio Show “Pilgrim on the 405”

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To see the full press release click here;

12/05/12- 5PM PST

Protecting Businesses, Mitigating Risk, Accurate Information & Strategic Decisions are just some of the things that Tim Santoni’s firm, Santoni Investigations, are passionate about.  Listen live at 5 PM PST time on December 5th – http://www.octalkradio.net/ on Pilgrim on the 405.

Tim Santoni is passionate about the mission of his firm which is to, “Keep businesses and individuals safe by providing the next solution to the latest problem. We provide accurate information to assist our clients in making effective and strategic business decisions.”

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Tim Santoni speaks at Cal Baptist University

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Santoni Investigations president, Tim Santoni, was honored to be invited by Cal Baptist University Professor, John Higley, to speak to his upper division Criminal Justice class.  Professor Higley’s students are motivated to find a path after they compete their degree.   Many of the students are looking to pursue careers in law enforcement (Sheriff/Police, FBI, Military Intelligence, Park Service).

The goal of the presentation was to give the students on how they can utilize their degree by working in the Private Investigation field.  By highlighting the types of cases and providing specific case examples that Santoni typically handles for our clients we were able to give the students a good sense of how we investigate without a badge.  Higley’s students are a sharp bunch and interacted throughout the presentation.

The private investigation field needs more passionate and trained professionals. The more course work and exposure that students can have access to the better chance they  can understand the private investigation industry and how they might have a career within it.

If you are interested in having Tim Santoni speak at your next meeting learn more by CLICKING HERE.

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