How to Know If the Police Are Investigating You

Despite the fact that more than 15 million criminal cases are filed annually, most Americans are only exposed to police criminal investigations through television shows. Police dramas are fun, but they make the investigation process seem pretty simple and obvious: the people under investigation find out about it right away, and the case is usually closed pretty quickly.

The reality is very different: criminal investigations can take a very long time and people can be detained without their knowledge. The police are not required to keep you informed about the progress of the investigation. Whether you are directly suspected of committing crimes or are associated with someone under investigation, there are signs you may notice that indicate the cops are looking at you. Even if you are innocent of any crime, knowing that you are under investigation means you can take steps to protect yourself, such as consulting with an attorney and understanding your rights against unlawful searches of your property. Here are clues that you may be under police investigation.

Subtle Signs You’re Being Investigated

Some signs that the police are investigating you are easy to miss and difficult to spot. If you notice the following things happening around you, you may be under investigation:

• Unknown cars. Are there unfamiliar cars parked near your home or work? Seeing the same strange cars or other vehicles parked nearby repeatedly could be a sign of surveillance—by police or thieves .

• Other signs of surveillance. If you notice cameras – either carried by people who mysteriously appear wherever you are, or suddenly installed on your street – the police may be recording your movements and behavior as part of an investigation.

• Trackers. The GPS tracker on your car may have been installed by the police .

• Strange contacts on social networks. If you notice a group of new followers or connection requests from people you don’t know, or notice a spike in traffic or followers without an easy explanation, investigators may be monitoring your online activity.

• Partners arrested or investigated. If people you are associated with are accused of crimes or are under open investigation, it is possible that your name will at least come up as part of that investigation. If cops are chasing people around you one by one, you might get caught up in it all.

• Banking complications. If you’re having a lot of trouble doing normal day-to-day financial transactions, and your bank or other financial institutions can’t explain or solve the problem, it could be a sign that your finances are being monitored.

• Indecisiveness in communication. Friends and business partners suddenly become unavailable and/or don’t want to talk to you? This could mean that the police have questioned them about you, which will prompt them to distance themselves.

These signs are difficult to detect and interpret, but if you see more than one in your life, it should at least raise the suspicion that you are being investigated. There are other, more obvious signs.

Clear signs that you are being investigated

Although police often conduct investigations in the background without alerting the subjects, there are some very obvious signs that you are under investigation:

• Direct contact. The police may not tell you directly that you are under investigation, even if they take you to the police station or their office for questioning or contact you directly by other means. But they don’t have to tell you why they want to talk to you, so it’s best to assume that if they’re asking you questions, it’s because you’re the subject of an investigation.

• The partners were interviewed. Likewise, if the police are questioning your acquaintances or business associates, this is a clear sign that you may be under investigation, especially if you are the common denominator between different people.

• Letter of summons from the provider. If your Internet Service Provider (ISP) receives a subpoena for information about your online activity, it is required to send you a letter notifying you of the request and its compliance. If you receive such a letter, it may be due to a lawsuit, but it may also be that you are being investigated by the police.

• Frozen accounts. If your finances have gone from shaky to literally frozen so that you can’t access your money, it’s often due to a criminal investigation that somehow leads to your finances. If your credit cards and bank account suddenly become inaccessible, you may have been under investigation for some time.

What to do if you think you are being investigated

If you think you are seeing signs that the police are investigating you, there are a few basic steps to take:

• Lawyer up. Regardless of whether you are innocent or guilty, and even if you have no idea why you might be the subject of a police investigation, you should immediately consult with an attorney about your suspicions.

• Shut up. You have the right not to incriminate yourself, and you are never required to talk to police without a lawyer present. Don’t ask the police if you are being investigated – they are under no obligation to tell you and anything you say could be used against you. If you are contacted by law enforcement, say nothing and refer them to your lawyers.

• Lock yourself up. The police are required to obtain a search warrant to search your property . Absent one, do not allow law enforcement to enter your home or business.

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