Private Investigators can be an asset to Mass Tort Attorneys. Finding accurate information in a timely manner is one of the most beneficial aspects of PI’s, saving Mass Tort Attorneys valuable time.
Pre-2006, the public was able to collect cell phone records for around $100 from various websites. The websites were able to gather the data through “pretexting,” where someone would impersonate the person whose records were in question. President Bush signed the Telephone Records and Privacy Protection Act of 2006. Fraudulently obtaining phone records thus became a federal felony.
Because it is difficult to get a person’s phone records, it is important to hire a Private Investigator who will ensure everything is obtained legally. Every attorney knows this is a very important aspect of building a case.
Wireless phone records are not protected by the Stored Communications Acts or by the Fourth Amendment. A subpoena or notarized letter of request from the account holder is enough to gather the information.
When a PI gets a court order to obtain phone records, also known as Call Detail Records (CDR), it provides the following information:
● Caller’s phone number
● Duration of call
● Start and end time of the call
● The cell tower the phone was connected to
● Text message meta data (but not that actual messages)
The Private Investigator will make sure the appropriate documentation is obtained when searching for a person’s phone number and phone records. When more than one person is in question, that’s when this can become time-consuming for a Mass Tort Attorney, therefore making a PI a sound investment when building a case.
Disclaimer: Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of this publication at the time it was written. It is not intended to provide legal advice or suggest a guaranteed outcome. Individual situations will differ and the law may have changed since publication. Readers considering legal action should consult with an attorney to understand current laws and how they may affect a case.