Financial Investigations and Asset Searches Flashcards

Which Nevada Revised Statute chapter governs the licensing of private investigators and related professions?

Answer: NRS Chapter 648

NRS Chapter 648 establishes the regulatory framework for private investigators, including licensing requirements and prohibited conduct.

A PI is hired to trace assets of a debtor following a civil judgment. Which government repository provides UCC (Uniform Commercial Code) lien filings in Nevada?

Answer: Nevada Secretary of State

UCC financing statements and lien filings are recorded with the Nevada Secretary of State and are publicly searchable.

When tracing hidden assets, a PI legally reviews a subject's social media profiles and finds posts showing expensive vacations. This evidence is best characterized as:

Answer: Circumstantial evidence suggesting undisclosed income or assets

Publicly visible social media posts are legally observable and can serve as circumstantial evidence, though they require corroboration for legal proceedings.

In a Nevada asset search, probate court records may reveal:

Answer: Assets inherited or bequeathed by the subject

Probate records list estate assets and beneficiaries, making them useful for tracing inherited property or wealth.

A PI uses pretexting — calling a bank while posing as the account holder — to obtain a subject's balance. This action is:

Answer: A criminal violation of the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act and grounds for license revocation

Pretexting to obtain financial information is a federal crime under the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act and violates PILB ethical standards.

Which of the following best describes a permissible purpose for a Nevada PI to access motor vehicle records under the DPPA?

Answer: Use in connection with a civil, criminal, administrative, or arbitral proceeding

The DPPA allows access to motor vehicle records for legitimate legal proceedings, among other narrowly defined purposes.