criminal fraud investigator. He approached her and quickly showed her some kind of a badge and wanted to talk with her. Obviously she was a bit unsure who he was initially and a bit shaken I would say. She told him to go to her office and schedule a time to speak with her. He said ok and left.
Her place of work did have some kind of a medicad issue over a year ago.

I assume, maybe incorrectly he is a private investigator hired by an insurance company?

Thought it was a bit strange he would approach her in a public place after work by following her. Thoughts?

Do NOT let your wife alone with this guy. If she is followed by him again, or he shows up, call the police immediately.

Your wife being followed by some guy is just not cool. Not cool at all.

H&K-Guy

Did she ask for a business card or other contact info?

What’s a “criminal fraud investigator?” And, yes, that is my thought. FYI, I was a “Fraud Invesitgator” for the State of North Carolina, and had credentials to show. What about this situation?

Edited to add:

Like a1abdj says below, I always left a card if nothing else.

I hear you HK guy. I am pretty pissed off over it. She is pretty savvy but still I have my concerns about this whole situation for sure.

She did contact her employer and advised them.

Alabdj, she got what he said his name was. But no she did not get a card or other info from him.

Craig, he did have some credential type items. She did not get a real good look. I was a bifold type wallet with a pix id with a badge.

It wouldn't hurt anything to report it to the cops anyway. "Criminal fraud investigator" sounds awfully dramatic - in fact it sounds like it was intended to be redundant just to be dramatic.

I’d also call the police and give them a description of the guy and his vehicle. If her place of employment has any type of security I’d make them aware as well so they can keep an eye out for him or his vehicle.

quote:

Originally posted by old rugged cross:
Craig, he did have some credential type items. She did not get a real good look. I was a bifold type wallet with a pix id with a badge.

Which anyone can get online for a few bucks.

quote:

Originally posted by Il Cattivo:
It wouldn't hurt anything to report it to the cops anyway. "Criminal fraud investigator" sounds awfully dramatic - in fact it sounds like it was intended to be redundant just to be dramatic.

Exactly my thoughts, report it to the cops just in case it happens to be something else. stalking your wife is a bad move, i am sure the cops will advice you on a good approach to handled this.

quote:

Alabdj, she got what he said his name was. But no she did not get a card or other info from him.

Anybody who's legitimate would have offered such.

I was an investigator in the repossession industry once upon a time and don't recall a single instance in which the police were called on me because I was snooping around, hopping fences, looking in windows, or anything else that would appear out of the ordinary. This was because anybody who saw me would get one of my cards should they care to verify who I was or what I was doing.

I would think that someone operating in that capacity would offer his business card as he was introducing himself and displaying his "credentials". Spidey sense...

This is not legit. Offer to meet him with your wife at the police station. I don't know where you live, but I would not bother calling the cops.

The funny thing was when I saw the OP, my first thought was, “What the heck was a Certified Flight Instructor (CFI) doing following your wife.

Agree the guy sounds like bad news. If he calls back, maybe your wife could tell him to meet her at the local PD or don’t bother her.

ETA: Not sure how I missed ZSMICHAEL’s post, but “What he said.”

He's theoretically an investigator, meaning he theoretically wants your wife to provide him with helpful information about something he's theoretically investigating. If he let her walk away without giving her some way to reach him (cough business card cough) he either a) has ZERO talent for this "investigation" thing or b) isn't legit.

Aound 70% of federal LEOs work in one of seven agencies. I work in one of the others, so I've gotten pretty good at explaining in few words who I am and what I do. It doesn't bother me when people want to double-check my ID or, more rarely, call my office (better yet, call our HQ... make those slugs do some actual work) to confirm. Happens occasionally and if it makes them more comfortable talking with me, that's a good thing

"Criminal Fraud Investigator"--without an agency and explanation-- sounds an awful lot like "I'm a PI that knows exactly where the line of Impersonating Police is, and calling myself something that sounds vaguely official-ish is MILLIMETERS on this side of that line."

Sounds like someone who's looking to get their nuts blown off.

next time he approaches her in a public place she should ask him if he minds if she snaps a quick pic of him

Until proven otherwise, he's a thug. Notify LE, if it ever happens again. She has zero obligations to engage this thug. Some type of credentials? Anybody can flash you anything that seems legit.

Does she carry? If it happens again, 911 call with a willingness to draw without hesitation. There is no reason to contact her in such a way for a legitimate investigation. It’s why we have phones and email. Her place of work would have provided the “investigator” with the means to contact her if it was an official action.

quote:

Originally posted by DennisM:
"Criminal Fraud Investigator"--without an agency and explanation-- sounds an awful lot like "I'm a PI that knows exactly where the line of Impersonating Police is, and calling myself something that sounds vaguely official-ish is MILLIMETERS on this side of that line."

This is my take as well, based upon my experience. I’d say he’s a PI of some sort. He may in fact be well intentioned but his delivery clearly sucks. If he approaches your wife again I’d have her suggest to meet up at the closest police station if he wants to talk and your wife is willing to cooperate. The local police should have no problem with this, especially if he is doing work in support of some criminal investigation, and if he’s legit he shouldn’t have a problem either. If he has a problem with that, have her tell him to pound sand and call 911 if he continues to follow her.

One good way to verify a credential is to get the name and agency, get a phone number from the information operator, and call to verify. I've had perhaps 200 calls or contacts similar to your wife's, and only one confirmed as legit. Most were debt collectors pursuing my employees or former employees.