Cyber Affairs Increase During COVID Quarantine

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cyber affairs

What some couples originally considered harmless flirting has evolved into full-on cyber affairs during the quarantine period since Covid struck. The first confirmed case of Covid19 hit the US on January 19, 2020. And since then, life has changed for most Americans and practically turned inside-out for many. While health, security, and financial concerns are all points of serious concern, marital relationships also land high on the list. Regardless of how, why, or when an affair occurs, the act can lead to feelings of ultimate betrayal that simply can’t be corrected. But why are these relationship changes so common and what can you do if you suspect you’re dealing with a cheating spouse at home?

So Many Americans Now Work from Home

As of June, around 40% of Americans were working at home due to the pandemic, and that number has likely increased quite a bit since new resurgences and lockdowns have come into play. That means adults are spending much more time on their tech devices than they were as early as the end of 2019. It’s far easier now to make excuses for that extra online time by claiming more Zoom meetings, client emails, and social media time are necessary… for work.

Socialization Is at an All-Time Low

Weddings, special events, parties and ceremonies, even hanging out with friends have all been limited throughout 2020. Indoor gatherings are permitted in most states, but usually in maximum groups of 10 and only then if everyone wears a mask and stands at least 6 feet away from each other. At some point, most people want and need to talk to someone besides those in their household, especially if and when tensions there are high. Connecting with someone else online in a similar situation can easily lead to more than just venting.

Spousal Distancing is Trending

Chances are, when you promised to take your partner until death, you didn’t mean locked in your house together for 24-hours daily for months at a time due to a global pandemic. Few people outside of dystopian writers or science fiction junkies would spend more than a few minutes lost in those thoughts prior to 2020. Marital breakdowns due to ongoing microaggressions are all-too-common after years or building a life together. But quarantine periods add serious fuel to those fires and tend to fast-forward spousal distancing. If you or your spouse are refusing or blocking intimacy or sexual attention during this time, they may attempt to find it elsewhere.

A Cheating Spouse May Consider Their Behavior to Be Self-Care

Infidelity is not just physical. In fact, digital connections may actually be as damaging, if not more so than physical affairs because they often start off and continue as an emotional connection and affair. Of course, a cheating spouse may claim a totally different viewpoint–at least to try to stay out of trouble. According to a national report by AshleyMadison, over 50% of married couples are spending more time together than they ever have while 75% of couples’ sexual patterns are worse than before the pandemic hit. The cheating website has received an uptick in membership with 30% of women opting for online affairs compared to 15% of men.

Most of those users have no real plans to leave their marriage but consider their behavior to be “self-care”. You don’t have to agree with that and you definitely don’t have to live with that decision either. But you do have a right to know what your spouse is really up to in the other room. When you’re ready for answers, Michigan spousal surveillance can help you uncover the truth.

4 Signs Your Wife May Be Cheating

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cheating wife michigan private investigator

Your romantic relationship rules and guidelines may be completely different from your neighbors, friends, and even your parents. But most married people frown on infidelity. And yet, it happens more than expected. While adultery is generally associated with male behaviors, women do their share of it as well. According to national surveys, approximately 15% of married women and 25% of married men admit they’ve had physical relationships outside of their marriage. Of course, that’s just those who came clean about their personal behaviors, and up to 20% more infidelity occurs when the relationship is emotionally stagnant or sexless. Fortunately, there are some signs to help decide if you’re dealing with a cheating wife.

Sudden Improved Appearance or Intense Effort

Self-improvement is important in many life phases, including marriage or romantic partnership. Your wife could be trying to improve her appearance and fitness levels for herself, for you, or even for someone else. Sudden personal changes aren’t always a giveaway that there’s another romantic interest, but they could be. So pay attention and see if the other signs of infidelity are also present.

Obvious Changes or Intensity in Computer or Tech Device Behaviors

There are over 3.6 billion active social media users worldwide and nearly 4.5 billion expected by 2025, so tech is definitely an integral part of life for most people nowadays. Relationships are often discovered, built, and rebuilt via technology. However, marriages require offline time. So if your partner is showing obvious changes involving their tech or device behaviors, you may need to pay extra attention to who’s on the other end of the screen.

Significant Changes in Sexual Activity

Lack of sex or a sudden libido drop is an actual trope for infidelity since it’s often one, if not the main sign there’s someone else. But other changes in your sex life can also forewarn of trouble. While experimentation can be the spice of life, it can be rather shocking when a partner introduces something completely different into the bedroom. It can also be a warning that they recently learned it elsewhere. Sudden sexual interest can also act as a cover-up or suggest guilt. By all means, don’t refuse the extra attention from your spouse if it’s offered and wanted, but pay attention to when and how it’s occurring to see if any patterns suggest it’s powered by infidelity.

She Stopped Inviting You Out with Her Friends

Having separate interests and even separate friendships is essential to the strength and fulfillment of a healthy marital relationship. So there will likely be times you’re not welcomed to hang out with the girls. But as long as you’re friendly to your wife’s friends, invitations should be plentiful otherwise. If those invitations suddenly stop and you notice she’s sprucing up more or hiding the details altogether, that could indicate a potential problem. Sudden schedule changes, coming home late from work, and protecting her phone while insisting the girls or a specific friend “need her” can all be signs of a cheating wife. Listen to your intuition and don’t handle it alone. Give us a call to connect with the best Michigan private investigator for your needs, and we’ll help you find the truth.

5 Signs of Online Infidelity

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online infidelity

When people think of the word “infidelity”, thoughts of physical adultery and secret liaisons often come to mind. Rarely does the thought of an online tryst or affair even enter the mind until you’re knee-deep in the muck. After all, online infidelity can be even more intense and dangerous to relationships because it most often starts as an emotional connection. While both offline and online infidelity can be harmful, it can be far easier for a cheating boyfriend to claim a physical slip “didn’t mean anything” than it is to talk away a deep emotional connection in which intense personal, sexual, and lifestyle secrets have been shared. Fortunately, there are some simple and unexpected signs of online fidelity that can help verify it’s not all in your head.

Devices Are Password-Protected at All Times

Keeping your devices password-protected is smart and essential for most people who work and connect via their phones or tablets. But keeping those passwords on at home and around your partner may be an obvious sign that there’s quite a bit they don’t want you to know about or see. If you have doubts, ask your partner to unlock their devices. If they refuse, make excuses, or gaslight to make you seem crazy for asking, you’re probably on to something.

Social Media Disconnect

According to data analysis, almost 4 billion people use social media for a total of nearly 51% of the global population. There’s no doubt that social media can reform and reinforce personal and professional connections, but it can also encourage engaging in alternate realities and even extended double lives. So pay attention. Does your partner spend a lot of extra time online and have extra accounts you’re not connected to? If so, you may be dealing with a cheating boyfriend or girlfriend.

Compulsion or Obsession to Reply to Online Contacts

If your partner prefers their phone or device to offline time with you, that can be a sign there’s more than a friend on the other end. Moreover, if your confrontations and pleas to put the tech away lead to defensiveness or anger on their end, a little extra digging may be in order to discover why that’s the case.

Sudden Or Unexpected Behavior Changes

A cheating boyfriend or girlfriend may go through different emotional and physical behaviors while carrying on a secret dalliance. Anger and meanness are obvious signs there’s trouble, but so is sudden attachment and extra affection. If your partner is suddenly extra sweet and attentive to you and there’s no obvious reason why it could be an act of guilt or an attempt to justify their behavior.

Late Night or Off-Hours Internet or Phone Use

Have you ever awoken in the middle of the night to find your partner is out of bed, on the computer, or is shielding the light from their cell phone in an attempt not to wake you? Chances are if they’re on their phone that late on a regular basis, it’s more out of convenience or need than boredom and Minecraft addiction. Whether or not you believe online infidelity is a potential threat, you should always listen to your intuition. When you’re ready to know for sure, give us a call to connect to the best Michigan private investigator and get the truth you need and deserve.

5 Reasons Why Married People Cheat

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cheating spouse asg investigations

Most people who opt to marry nowadays do so with the hope of “happily ever after” with one partner. Very rarely is an alternative even conceptualized outside of the initial prenup planning. So, why would someone choose to cheat? While some studies claim 20% of American singles and up to 9% of married couples have entertained polyamory or open relationship concepts, the majority of partners still expect lifelong, or at least long-term, loyalty. Marital infidelity does occur, however, and if your spouse has been showing the following signs, it may be time to consider calling in the pros to help catch a cheating spouse. 

Different Attachment Styles

Poor self-esteem or over-confidence can lead to clinginess or detachment in a marriage. Over time, couples can become more like roommates and desire more or less attachment to their partner. If it’s mutual, that’s one thing. But more often, one partner feels undesired, unattractive, or develops a connection elsewhere instead of discussing the changes and options with their spouse.

Influences and Exposure to Infidelity

Divorce is not uncommon, but the reasons for parental or family divorce can help determine the rates of the involved children’s’ eventual marital success. In fact, studies have proven that kids who have been exposed to marital infidelity are twice as likely to cheat or be a victim of infidelity later in life. In those specific cases, the apple may not fall far from the proverbial tree.

Lack of Sexual Satisfaction

Divorce has actually been on the decline since the 1980s when the 50% divorce rate statistic took hold. According to BLS and census reports, closer to 39% of marriages end in divorce today and most of those divorces state lack of sex or sexual dissatisfaction as a primary reason for marital issues. While the initial reasons for looking elsewhere may include other issues, both men and women who cheat outside their marriage desire a more active sex life at one point or another.

The Need for Emotional Validation

Both men and women are emotional creatures, and sometimes the act of infidelity starts off as an external connection to regain the emotional validation the partner feels they lost in the marriage. The need for such validation might stem from lack of communication or intimacy from their partner, perceived body images, aging concerns, and overall lack of appreciation for what the cheating spouse does do within the household or for the family unit or simply for their partner. But this reason for infidelity, specifically, can be dangerous to the marriage since its root cause is the need for a deeper emotional connection that has been lost or can no longer be obtained within the marital relationship.

Boredom

Every relationship enters a stage where boredom is a concern and most of the time that’s a simple issue that can be corrected with some therapeutic assistance, extra attention, or a little spice. But in some cases, it leads to one partner seeking excitement elsewhere. Regardless of the reasons for the affair, the signs are likely flashing too bright to be ignored. When you’re tired of making or hearing excuses, give ASG Investigations a call to begin Michigan spousal surveillance and get the answers you need.  

Best Private Investigator Tips for Catching a Cheater

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While there are several types of relationships, no one falls in love and enters a mutually exclusive lifelong committed relationship with the idea of cheating down the road. But adultery is still a major reason for divorce. In most states, it’s barely a legal excuse, often resulting in a misdemeanor or minor fine at best–and that’s if it’s even pursued by the victim. Michigan’s a bit different. While it is a no-fault divorce state, adultery has been listed as a statewide crime since 1931 and it still can be charged as a felony today. Of course, the betrayed spouse rarely follows up on it to that degree. In most cases, the partner who discovers the infidelity simply wants out of the marriage or relationship but needs the proof to do so. Fortunately, a Michigan private investigator can help you catch a cheating spouse.

Dive
Into Tech Traces

According
to national research, approximately 92% of adult mobile users connect to the internet daily
and over 30% of those with mobile devices are constantly connected. Online
connections are some of the most damaging extramarital relationships because
once a partner connects emotionally to someone else, they’ve usually basically
checked out of the marriage. There are often telltale signs of online
infidelity, including spending extra time on their devices, and suddenly hiding
or locking their phone. Even if they’ve covered their tracks, technology leaves
trails. So texts, phone records, and email can be reclaimed and collected as
personal or legal evidence if you catch it in time.

Journal
Your Findings

Cheating
spouses can be tricky and attempt to keep things offline, but their behavior
can still change in minor but consistent ways. Keep a journal or written record
of notable changes to see if a pattern builds. Write down when business trips
become more frequent or how many extra nights a week your spouse is working
later than usual. Pay more attention to bank records and jot down details
regarding spikes in monetary withdrawals. And pay closer attention to how often
they offer to leave the house. Write down the times, days, and length of time
they’re gone. Once caught, cheaters often try to lie or confuse their way out
of trouble so those records can help keep you focused on the facts. 

Keep
It Legal

Most states have serious privacy laws in place, and even those
in the gray areas can be argued in favor of their client by good legal
representation. This covers more than just sneaking a peek into your spouse’s
text messages. Bugging their car or office, hacking into social media accounts,
and making hard copies of their emails may get you physical proof of the
affair, but it may also have you facing litigation charges down the road. Michigan
spousal surveillance can be done confidentially, correctly and legally by
the right professional Michigan private investigator. So there’s really no need
to increase your stress levels and make unnecessary mistakes by doing it all on
your own. 

Prepare
for the Unexpected

The goal of a private investigator is to discover and deliver the truth to their client, regardless of what that proof discloses. There may be some uncomfortable discoveries along the way and you’ll need to prepare yourself for that reality. While you may think you’re on the road to catch a cheating spouse, you may instead or also uncover hidden money issues, family problems, addictions, or other illegal activities. Try to avoid assuming the worst without definitive proof. And if you can’t find it on your own, be sure to give us a call.

Key Pieces Needed for a Productive Surveillance

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Productive Surveillance

Productive Surveillance is paramount to a cheating spouse investigation.  In trying to understand if your spouse is cheating one of the best tools you have is your knowledge of their behaviors.  In hiring a private investigator the key items are the “when, where, and who”.  A private investigator is not a psychic and can not tell you the proper time to go out and find that key piece of information that can get you the proof you are in need of.

The “When” – Identifying a time to send an investigator out is second to none in importance.  We have found that keeping detailed notes of times and dates that it is hard to get a hold of your partner that would indicate something may be going on.

The “Where” – Trying to figure out where to start an investigation may be just as troublesome as the time to begin.  If you believe that your partner is being untruthful about their behaviors they may also be untruthful about their whereabouts.  It is best to locate the specific places that they “have to be” in order to guarantee the investigator locating them at this location.

The “Who” – It is our policy at ASG to avoid doing surveillance on third parties but it helps if you have an idea of who the “other” person may be.  This will give the investigator extra ammunition to gather pertinent information for you while they are in the field.

Although it is an emotional time for you to be contacting a private investigator it is important to take a step back and look objectively at the situation.  We, at ASG, do not wish to go out on a whim and risk the chance of being unsuccessful in meeting your goals.  Feel free to contact our office at 888-677-9700 to discuss the many options in your specific case and our investigators will be able to work through these key factors with you.

If you think you need help learning how to run a Productive Surveillance feel free to contact us.

Husband facing felony charges after reading wife’s email

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A Michigan man is facing charges after reading wife’s email. Caution should always be heeded when you are tempted to do a bit of investigating on your own.  The last thing anyone would want to happen is to find yourself in a situation where you break the law in an attempt to find out if your significant other is cheating on you.  The following excerpt was taken from a news source in Michigan in which the prosecutor’s office is taking a pro-active approach to making sure individuals are aware of the legality of gaining access to a spouse’s email.

“A man could find himself in prison after snooping into his wife’s email account.

Thirty-three-year-old Leon Walker of Sterling Heights said he thought his now ex-wife was having an affair so he broke into her Gmail account.

Walker said Ciara Walker’s e-mails showed that she was indeed having a relationship with one of her ex-husbands.

Ciara Walker filed for divorce, which was granted earlier this month.

The Oakland County Prosecutor has charged Walker with felony computer misuse. A charge typically handed out to prosecute identity theft and stealing trade secrets.”

WXYZ.COM

December 27, 2010

While facing the daunting feeling that your spouse may be straying, it would be a good idea to contact an experienced private investigator who would know the most effective and legal approach to getting you the answers you deserve.  Feel free to contact our office at 888-677-9700 to discuss the many options in your specific case.

The Internet Can Cause a Busted Marriage

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unfaithful gay spouseSocial media sites can lead to a busted marriage.

” If your status is ‘separated’ or ‘going through a divorce’ you might want to stay off Facebook.

Social networking sites are causing a sharp increase in divorce and anything you say on your Facebook page or Myspace page can be held against you in court.

Facebook is an incredible resource for finding classmates, co-workers or making new friends. It’s also a way to rekindle old flames. For a lot of couples, that’s landed them in divorce court and given jilted spouses evidence of their partner’s adultery.”

November 4, 2010

WAFF

If you suspect infidelity and are wrapped up in the emotional whirlwind it is crucial that you pay attention to, not only, the warning signs but also the outward actions of your partner.  They may offer you an insight into their thought process and may give you key ammunition for your divorce proceedings.  It is important to understand what can and can not be used against you in the court of law.

To discuss surveillance or internet profiling options with one of our highly trained associates feel free to contact us at 888-677-9700.

Texas Judge Upholds the Use of Key Logging Program on Spouse

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Texas Judge Upholds the Use of Key Logging Program on Spouse

When looking for additional ways to gather information to support your thoughts that your partner may be unfaithful it is important that you are aware of the laws governing what can and can not be done legally. In this case, the use of key logging program on spouse upholds in Texas.

“A Texas court has ruled that a husband accused of monitoring his wife’s computer through a keystroke logger did not violate federal wiretapping laws.

Larry Bagley was sued in June by his wife Rhea Bagley, who accused him of surreptitiously placing audio recording devices in their house as well as a software keystroke logger. The Bagleys are in the process of divorcing.

U.S. District Judge Lee Rosenthal ruled on October 18 in favor of the husband, saying that the court was required to follow a Fifth Circuit decision saying that the federal wiretap law known as Title III does not apply to marital relationships.”

Declan McCullagh

October 29, 2010

If you are looking for that missing piece of information that may facilitate a successful surveillance, a key logging program may be a viable option for you.  It is crucial that this be done on a shared computer and not a private or work computer.

For more details or to discuss surveillance options with one of our highly trained associates feel free to contact us at 888-677-9700.

Parental Infidelity and the “No-Harm” Rule in Custody Litigation

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The rules in the courtroom are ever changing when it comes to parental infidelity and it is very crucial for you to understand those cases that are governing your future.  The “No-Harm” Rule started in a few courts but now has expanded from coast to coast.

“When a marriage dissolves, there are often disputes over which parent should be awarded custody of the child or children. In those custody disputes, which are often bifurcated from the rest of the divorce litigation and may be the only unsettled issue remaining in the divorce case, the non-adulterous party sometimes attempts to introduce evidence of the infidelity of the other parent-spouse. Historically, such evidence was admitted because the law presumed that parental infidelity caused harm to children. 2 However, that presumption has been abandoned by most American courts. Today, most American courts refuse to admit evidence of parental infidelity in custody hearings or trials unless there is proof that the parent’s infidelity caused harm to the child. 3 This refusal to admit evidence, herein called the “no-harm” rule or assumption, demonstrates a strong substantive policy that favors avoiding litigation concerning matters of sexual lifestyle and morality over examining evidence concerning the best interests of the child.”

Lynn D Wardle

Fall 2002

Though this court precedent has closed some avenues in custody litigation it is important to speak with your lawyer in your case to understand what can, and needs to, be done in your case.  Here at Advanced Surveillance Group we can offer a full range of services not only in the surveillance arena.  One crucial opening the “No-Harm” Rule leaves behind is the character of the other person involved.  We offer a full range of background investigations that may offer you an insight into whether or not those individuals past would lead the court to view your children as being in harm.

For more details or to discuss background screening options with one of our highly trained associates feel free to contact us at 888-677-9700.