Filley & Associates

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San Francisco Private Investigators You Can Trust

Filley & Associates is a professional private investigation firm serving the San Francisco Bay Area and beyond. With a team of highly qualified investigators, we specialize in delivering cost-efficient, results-oriented services tailored to the unique needs of each client. Our investigators possess deep local knowledge of the Bay Area and leverage advanced tools and methodologies to ensure thorough and reliable outcomes. Backed by decades of combined experience, including former federal agents and multilingual specialists, we handle complex cases for corporations, law firms, insurance companies, and individuals worldwide. Our approach prioritizes strategic planning, clear communication, and strict confidentiality, ensuring clients receive actionable insights and documented evidence within their budget and timeline.

Licensed and insured beyond state requirements, we maintain memberships in prestigious industry associations, including the California Association of Licensed Investigators and the World Association of Detectives. Our commitment to professionalism, ethical standards, and client-centric solutions has earned us an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau and consistent recognition in client testimonials for exceptional service and problem-solving expertise.

Services

Background Checks Surveillance Missing Persons Fraud Investigation Asset Checks Service of Process Criminal Investigation Civil Investigation Scene Investigation Due Diligigence

Highlights and features

Our team includes former federal agents with 25+ years of investigative experience.
We offer multilingual services in Spanish, Mandarin, and Cantonese.
We utilize state-of-the-art investigative tools and low-light camera technology.
We maintain an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau for ethical practices.
Our strategic approach prioritizes client-specific goals and budget constraints.

Associations and certifications

California Bureau of Security and Investigative Services
California Association of Licensed Investigators
World Association of Detectives
Professional Investigators of California
Better Business Bureau

What people say

Highly professional assistance Detailed report Methodical process Dedicated and persistent Fast and professional service

Website

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Services

Background Checks

Filley & Associates conducts comprehensive background checks for individuals, businesses, and legal professionals. Our investigations verify personal and professional histories, ensuring accurate, legally compliant results. Clients rely on our due diligence for employment screenings, litigation support, and personal matters.

Surveillance

Our surveillance services provide discreet, documented evidence for civil and criminal cases. Using advanced equipment, we track subjects' activities with precision. Clients use this data for insurance claims, infidelity cases, and corporate investigations while maintaining legal admissibility.

Missing Persons Investigation

We specialize in locating missing persons using strategic outreach and local connections. Our team works closely with families and law enforcement to reunite loved ones. Success stories include locating homeless individuals and resolving abduction cases across international borders.

Fraud Investigation

Our fraud investigations uncover financial misconduct for businesses and insurance companies. We analyze records, interview witnesses, and document irregularities. Clients use our findings for litigation, policy adjustments, and recovering losses from fraudulent activities.

Service of Process

Filley & Associates ensures timely, legal delivery of court documents nationwide. Our investigators serve papers in complex cases, including hard-to-locate defendants. Clients benefit from documented proof of service and compliance with jurisdictional requirements.

People

Scott E. Filley

Founder

Scott E. Filley is a Certified Professional Investigator and former federal agent with 25 years of investigative experience. He founded Filley & Associates to provide strategic, client-focused solutions for complex cases across the U.S. and internationally.

Questions

What types of cases does Filley and Associates handle?

We handle civil, criminal, corporate, and personal cases including surveillance, fraud investigations, missing persons, background checks, and legal document service for clients in the U.S. and abroad.

Are your investigators licensed and insured?

Yes, all our investigators are licensed by the California Bureau of Security and Investigative Services and insured beyond state requirements for client protection.

Can you conduct investigations outside California?

We provide services throughout the U.S. and internationally, adhering to local licensing laws and collaborating with trusted partners in different jurisdictions.

How do you ensure confidentiality?

We maintain strict privacy through secure communication channels, limited case team access, and professional ethics training for all staff members handling sensitive information.

What payment options are available?

We offer flexible payment arrangements including hourly billing, flat fees, and customized plans to accommodate client budgets while maintaining transparent invoicing practices.

Reviews (7)

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Paris P.

Sep 03, 2021 Report

I am afraid something has happened to Mr. Filley. I hired him back in April. He told my assistant he would have the report in a few weeks. We left multiple voice messages and sent emails. He finally responded in early August saying the report was completed and he would send it to me. I have sent more emails and left voice messages but he doesn't respond anymore. I can't believe someone with such great reviews would behave this way which is why I wonder if something bad has happened to him.

Jenny D.

Jan 18, 2020 Report

I had been trying to find someone for a while and was getting nowhere fast. I called Scott and within 20 minutes he was able to get me emails, mailing addresses and even phone numbers for the person I was trying to locate.
Scott was very kind, helpful and professional. I will definitely be calling Scott if I need help in the future.

Jeremy Castro

Dec 27, 2019 Report

You need to call Scott if you want an investigator who will take the time to speak with you, hear your concerns and provide you with individualized and personalized attention. After I called Scott, we had a long discussion about my case and developed a strategy on how to investigate it. Scott is friendly and skilled in his profession. I was most impressed with Scott's ability to strategize and come up with multiple different courses of action based on the information I provided him. During his investigation, Scott kept me updated and informed on everything that was happening throughout the course

Judy J.

Dec 03, 2019 Report

If you ever find yourself in a position where you need a private investigator, look no further. Scott Filley is the man for the job. He is honest, reliable, smart, fair, thorough and above all he listens. I contacted him via Yelp for a quote and he responded right away. Communication is truly key and from the start, Scott was on it.

Scott helped my family and I with two different matters. The end result in both exceeded our expectations. Thanks to his expertise we were reconnected with lost loved ones. I can't say enough about the excellent service and results received. Thank

Danielle Grasseth

Sep 14, 2019 Report

I'm very pleased with Scott and his team. Scott was quick to understand the services needed and organized his team on very short notice. His communication was prompt and efficient throughout. The team delivered exactly what we needed. I definitely recommend their services! Thanks!

Danielle W.

Aug 17, 2019 Report

Hiring Scott was the best day decision I ever made. He is very understanding throughout the whole process and continually kept me well informed. He was able to come up with other ideas to carry out the investigation and he was very flexible. Really enjoyed working with him! Scott is willingly to do whatever it takes to make sure the investigation is completed with the best accuracy.

Stephen McGrath

Jun 14, 2019 Report

Way Lee and Eva were tremendous. I had a very unique and difficult problem in China that needed a skilled and knowledgeable person on the ground to collect reliable information and contact appropriate agencies including different police departments. I was in the US and could not help. With one trip and many follow-up phone calls, Eva kept control of the situation and guided a series of complex actions to achieve the result. A mother who was kidnapped and taken from her children in southern China was found in Inner Mongolia and reunited with her oldest daughter who had been looking for her for five