Monday, January 26, 2009
While training and experience, professional aptitude and overall expertise may be more relevant to the job functions of a computer forensic engineer, customer service is also a critical factor that should not be disregarded.
A business or individual seeking the services of professional computer forensic engineers will consider many things before making a decision. Experience is particularly important, as is competency and a proven track record of success. Unfortunately, these factors are often disregarded, as many potential clients ultimately favor the company that offers the lowest quote for forensic services. This is especially true during an economic recession.
However, as competition in the field of computer forensics increases, it is exceptional customer service, not price, that may be the decisive element fueling a company’s continued success and profitability. Of course, nearly every small business, retailer, and corporation will advertise outstanding customer service, and it’s a standard tale told on nearly every website maintained by computer forensic experts and agencies.
But clients aren’t easily fooled by savvy website copy, especially when it tends to be a repeat of the same drivel from the last three websites they looked at. A potential client can usually discern whether or not they’ll be receiving the advertised excellent customer service within a few short phone calls. An apparent disinterest in the conversation, a condescending ‘we know everything and you know nothing’ tone or attitude, or a quick brush-off are all indicative that customer service skills are lacking, to say the least.
Regardless of what the computer forensic expert or agency believes, the individual or business seeking to retain their services believes that the job which requires those services is an important one. Computer forensic experts need to realize that every case, no matter how small, is important, and they achieve that by making the client feel that he is important to them. Understanding the clients needs, and subsequently fulfilling those needs to the best of their ability, is a key factor of great customer service.
Kessler International, the premier investigative consulting firm specializing in forensic accounting, computer forensics and brand protection, understands that superior customer service is of vital importance and significance in today’s society.
“I have no doubt that Kessler International’s founding philosophy of putting the client first has driven our success,” says Michael G. Kessler, President and Founder. “After 20 years, we continue to provide the highest quality of service by adding value to each relationship that we have managed to develop into a reputation of excellence.”
Everyone has had experiences with bad or inadequate customer service. It has invaded every industry indiscriminately, from the fast food counter clerk to bank managers, from receptionists to doctors, and from the despised tech support lines in foreign countries to major corporations that see only numbers, not people.
In an industry such as computer forensics, where expertise, knowledge, experience and skill are imperative building blocks of any such structure, customer service provides a strong, solid foundation, ensuring that the organization will stand indefinitely. But when customer service is disregarded, the remaining building blocks can no longer stand as one cohesive unit. The structure fractures, and eventually falls.
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Friday, January 16, 2009
Think Your Husband or Wife is Cheating on You?
Try A Cell Phone Forensics or Computer Forensics Investigation for Definitive Proof.
For evidence of cheating spouses, wives no longer need to examine their husband’s clothes for lipstick on the collar or the scent of an unfamiliar perfume. Suspicious husbands need not rush home unexpectedly from work in order to catch their wives in bed with another man. If you want unquestionable proof that your spouse is cheating on you, turn to cell phone forensics and computer forensics for a possible solution and unquestionable proof.
Statistics show that a cheating husband or a cheating wife utilizes the cell phone as the primary method of communication during an affair, and emails or instant messaging as a secondary method. The majority of cheating husbands and wives think that as long as they keep their cell phones or emails private from their spouses, that there will be no real evidence of their illicit activities. But in some cases, a cell phone forensic engineer or computer forensic engineer can discover and retrieve an entire digital history of cheating or evidence of an ongoing affair, even when data has been deleted.
A computer forensic engineer can retrieve emails, chat logs from instant messaging programs, internet browser histories, and much more, even when emails and other files have been deleted. Likewise, a cell phone forensic engineer can retrieve a wide variety of data from a cellular phone or other mobile device, dependent upon the model. Some of the types of data that may be retrieved and examined during a cell phone forensic investigation, even after being deleted, include:
• Call times; dialed and received calls, and call durations
• Text messages or SMS messages
• Contact names & phone numbers
• Address book entries; residential addresses and email addresses
• Photos & graphics
• Videos
There are many telltale signs that can lead one to suspect that a spouse is cheating, and a change in cell phone behavior is one indicator. Your husband or wife may be making an effort to keep their cell phone in a place where it is no longer easily accessible by you or others. This is a sure sign that there may be something contained on it they wouldn’t want you to see, or it may be receiving incoming calls from a strange number that would further arouse suspicion. Suddenly keeping the cell phone bill hidden is also indicative that your spouse may be using their cell phone for some form of suspicious behavior.
Kessler International, a world leader specializing in computer & cell phone forensics, suggests that if suspect your spouse is cheating on you and they exhibit behavior such as the kinds detailed above, then you may want to consult with a computer forensics or cell phone forensic expert.
Evidence obtained during a computer forensic investigation or cell phone forensics investigation is also admissible in court should the need arise for it, and law enforcement and the legal market both recognize the importance of computer forensics and cell phone forensics and utilize forensic engineers frequently for criminal investigations.
Obtaining your spouse’s cell phone or gaining access to the computer for the purpose of a forensics investigation may be a difficult factor. Speak to a forensic engineer at Kessler International to discuss how you can have a computer forensics or cell phone forensic investigation conducted quickly and discreetly, to obtain the definitive proof you need that your husband or wife is cheating on you.
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Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Kessler International, an investigative firm specializing in forensic accounting, computer forensics, and corporate investigation, has recently published a series of press releases regarding Ponzi schemes, and specifically an alleged Ponzi scheme on Long Island that appears to be on the verge of collapsing in the near future.
Despite information regarding the apparent Long Island-based Ponzi scheme being forwarded to several local and state authorities, regulators have thus far failed to act. This mirrors events surrounding the Bernard Madoff Ponzi scheme, in which it was revealed that regulators were given information regarding the scheme as much as ten years ago, but chose to do nothing, resulting in the debacle seen in recent headlines.
For more information regarding the alleged Long Island Ponzi scheme, and Ponzi schemes in general, please find the press releases at the following links:
Investor Beware: Tough Economic Times Opens Up Opportunity for Ponzi Schemes - Kessler International Investigates Investment Scams
New York, New York, July 30, 2008—Kessler International, the world’s premier forensic accounting, computer forensics and corporate investigation strategies firm, has completed a survey into fraudulent loan operations that take advantage of investors seeking a high rate of return. Kessler found that almost 98 percent of the loan operations paying exorbitant rates of return are either Ponzi or pyramid schemes.
Investor Alert - Another New York Ponzi Scheme appears about to Collapse
New York, New York, December 19, 2008—Recently, Kessler’s Long Island office has again received numerous reports from worried individuals, concerned that they have invested large sums of money into what appears to be a Ponzi scheme run by a local company.
Investor Alert - Think You May Be Involved in a Ponzi Scheme? Look For These Red Flags
New York, New York, January 7, 2009—Ponzi schemes masquerading as legitimate investment operations often raise several red flags that should make any potential investor extremely wary.
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Friday, January 09, 2009
Kessler International, the premier investigative firm specializing in computer forensics & cell phone forensics, forensic accounting, brand protection and corporate investigation, will be exhibiting at LegalTech New York 2009 on February 2-4, at Booth #2406. Legal Tech is the largest and most important legal technology event of the year.
Kessler International President and CEO Michael G. Kessler will be at the Kessler International booth on the LegalTech tradeshow floor, as well as Susan M. Peterson, Vice President & COO.
Kessler International, celebrating its 21st anniversary in 2009, is a worldwide leader in forensic accounting, computer forensics & cell phone forensics and brand protection. Kessler International’s expert computer forensic & cell phone forensic services are regularly retained by law firms and Fortune 500 clients, as well as their litigation support & expert witness services.
Attendees to the Legal Tech New York tradeshow can discover firsthand why Kessler International is simply the most respected, experienced and professional computer forensics firm in the world.
LegalTech New York will be held February 2-4, 2009 at The Hilton New York Hotel. For more information about Legal Tech, please visit the website at http://www.legaltechshow.com
For more information about Kessler International and their expertise in the fields of computer forensics and cell phone forensics, please visit their website at http://www.investigation.com
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Wednesday, January 07, 2009
In late summer 2008, Kessler International investigated an apparent fraudulent investment operation on Long Island, and reported the findings to the NYS Attorney General, the Suffolk County DA, the Suffolk County Police Department and the FBI. To date, authorities have not acted upon the information provided by Kessler, and the Ponzi scheme appears to be showing signs of a collapse in the near future, meaning many investors will lose their money.
A recent press release by Kessler International details red flags typically indicative of a Ponzi scheme masquerading as a legitimate investment opportunity. For more information regarding the Long Island Ponzi scheme and Ponzi schemes in general, please find the press release at this link.
Kessler International is a world leader in the fields of forensic accounting, computer forensics, and investment fraud. For more information about Kessler International and their expert forensic services, please visit their website.
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Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Small Details Reveal a Lot
These days, the Internet seems overpopulated with self-appointed ‘experts’ in the fields of Forensic Accounting and Computer Forensics, and it can be difficult to separate the true professionals from the woefully inadequate. If you are seeking the services of a company specializing in forensic accounting and/or computer forensics, you’ll soon discover that it’s all about the details.
A website may be the very first impression you’ll receive from a company offering computer forensics and forensic accounting services, and while a professional website design may look appealing, it’s the content you should be focused on. After all, anybody can pay a sum of money to a web designer for a first-class, polished website, complete with fancy imagery and appealing color palette. But a true reflection of the company can be found in the content contained within the site itself.
Details are extremely important in the fields of computer forensics & forensic accounting; even a few scant bytes of data can mean the difference between finding the evidence you need and finding nothing pertinent at all. Likewise, the proper collection and preservation of evidence is critical, and attention to detail when conducting an investigation is a key factor.
Tiny details on a company website can also reveal a lot about that particular company. Kessler International, a world leader in computer forensics and forensic accounting, recently conducted a survey of websites and marketing materials of their competitors. While some of the sites and marketing material possessed nice layouts or fancy verbiage, the contents of many were riddled with blatant lies, technical mistakes, spelling errors and grammatical mistakes. Others were outright childish.
When nearly every piece of word processing software available today is equipped with spell checking and grammar checking capabilities, there simply is no excuse for the abundance of errors found on some of the company websites.
This begs the question…if these companies can’t be bothered to even use a spell-check to proof their website content and marketing materials before approving them for public view, than what level of professional service do you think they will offer you in your case matters? A company claiming to specialize in computer forensics or forensic accounting, yet displaying such a stunning disregard for detail, serves as an in-your-face warning to avoid that company at all costs.
A future edition of The Kessler Report, Kessler International’s newsletter, will include an article containing questions to ask a computer forensics expert or forensic accountant before acquiring their services.
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Thursday, December 04, 2008
A recent email rapidly circulating the internet is spreading holiday fear amongst consumers. The email warns consumers to be cautious of purchasing gift cards from a rather large list of major retailers, as these retailers are apt to close January 1st or shortly thereafter, thus rendering the gift cards worthless.
In a society already feeling the stress of an economy in recession during the holiday season, this email is another lump of coal in our stockings. The desire to give gifts to friends and loved ones is strong, but the dollar is weak and our wallets are light. The last thing consumers want to do is waste hard-earned money on gift cards that will soon have no value.
The well-meaning but somewhat erroneous email has no doubt contributed to an overall wariness of gift cards. Real concerns about gift card expiration dates and/or penalties for non-use after a specific period of time are additional factors that have also played a part in a reduction of gift card sales.
While the email does make an important point, stressing the need of consumers to be cautious and informed, a total boycott of gift cards is not necessary.
Jim Babb, Manager of Media Relations for Circuit City, states that while Circuit City has filed Chapter 11, only 155 stores will be closing, leaving 567 remaining open. Gift cards will continue to be accepted at all Circuit City stores while they remain open.
Chains such as Ann Taylor, Eddie Bauer, Gap, Footlocker, JC Penny and many others, who are said to be closing some locations but not all, will still honor gift cards at the remaining open stores. Additionally, many chains also have online stores which also accept gift cards.
In regards to the email alert, consumers are advised to do their own research about various store closings, as the email has been proven to contain some misleading information. The original sender of the notice does not reveal any source information, and our own investigation found that many of the facts regarding some store closings are untrue, unfounded, or old and outdated.
If you want to ensure that your purchase is totally protected and certain that your gift will not be rendered worthless next year, then choose a pre-paid bank card over a gift card. They can be used anywhere, anytime, and without penalty.
The lesson learned here is that what you don’t know can hurt you, and that there is no such thing as too much information. This is especially true if you own a small business or corporation. Ignorance is far from bliss, the marketplace today is extremely competitive, and the cost of not being informed is simply too high. Successful business investigations prove that when your company’s reputation and financial stability are at stake, knowing anything less than everything is courting disaster.
Call Kessler International today for a specialized corporate investigation, and we’ll quickly and efficiently provide you with the knowledge you need to make intelligent choices.
Happy holidays from Kessler International!
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Wednesday, November 26, 2008
The holiday season brings colder weather, frantic shopping excursions, and festive gatherings amongst friends and family. It also brings forth a steady crop of identity thieves and scammers who prey upon the unsuspecting consumer, often turning holiday cheer into a mood more befitting of Ebenezer Scrooge.
On Black Friday, the malls will be teeming with anxious consumers desperate for bargains. Identity thieves will be out shopping as well, only they’ll be using your credit card.
The holiday shopping environment enables identity thieves to flourish; the mass confusion, hectic crowds, and increased purchasing activity are all factors contributing to their criminal success.
Consumers are warned to pay close attention to any credit card transactions they may make while shopping during the holidays, and especially on Black Friday. Keep a watchful eye on store employees handling your credit card; it should never be out of sight, take note if it is swiped more than once, and be sure to check your receipt to make sure the final amount is correct.
Department stores typically hire a large supply of temporary workers for Black Friday and the remainder of the holiday shopping season, and some of them may be identity thieves, waiting patiently for the right moment and a distracted consumer. Often, they are able to hide their own purchases within those made by a consumer, and the victim is none the wiser until a credit card statement arrives.
Consumers should be aware of online scammers as well. Online department stores usually send out mass emails advertising online bargains for both Black Friday and Cyber Monday. Beware of similar-looking phishing emails designed to get your credit card information; they also have a tendency to increase during the holidays, and online identity thieves have gotten smarter and more sophisticated.
Be particularly aware of online greeting cards sent via email. If you aren’t entirely sure of the sender, do not open the greeting card attachment, as this could download malware onto your computer, another tool utilized by identity thieves to garner your credit card information or key passwords.
Safe shopping and Happy Holidays from Kessler International!
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Tuesday, November 25, 2008
It’s no secret that society is wholly disenchanted with the failing economy, and unemployment woes are making headlines every day. The pressure of the approaching holidays and nationwide job security fears are combining to form a perfect storm in which corporations are at risk for increased incidents of accounting fraud.
As more layoffs are announced each day across the United States and salary increases remain stagnant, disgruntled employees are turning to alternative methods of increasing their cash flow, and your company may be suffering as a result.
Now is the time to be aware of discrepancies in your financial records. CEO’s of major corporations aren’t the only ones looking for a bailout, and your employees may be helping themselves to extra funding at your company’s expense.
The motives causing employees to resort to accounting fraud during the holidays are varied; they may be attempting to offset losses in the market, or in their 401K and retirement funds; they may be concerned about job security and are seeking to get whatever they can before possibly facing unemployment; they may simply be desperate for extra spending cash during the holiday season.
If you suspect financial fraud within your organization, then you’ll need a certified forensic accountant to conduct a thorough investigation. The certified forensic accounting team at Kessler International specializes in fraud detection, and their extensive training and professional experience with forensic accounting will ensure that you have one less thing to worry about this Christmas season.
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Thursday, May 29, 2008
Michigan Governor Jennifer Granholm has signed act HB5274 into law which will bring about exciting new changes for Private Investigators in Michigan. One of the biggest changes is in the act itself; once known as the Private Detective Act of 1965 the act will now be known as the Professional Investigator Licensure Act, causing all investigators to be recognized as Private Investigators on their licenses.
The passing of this bill will also create new areas for individuals to be considered a private investigator in Michigan. This includes individuals preventing, detecting or removing observation devices, using electronic tracking devices for investigation purposes or those partaking in computer forensics. Additionally there are multiple positions that are now considered to be under the realm of a private investigator including: investigators, detectives, special agents, intelligence specialists, parole agents, probation officers and certified police officers that are employed by any government executive, military, judicial or legislative agency. The law will also include those lawfully engaged in any investigation business acceptable to the department.
Additional changes that will be seen with the introduction of the bill are new standards individuals must be in compliance with before they are able to obtain a private investigator license. Reciprocal agreements will also be put into place to be used by the regulatory department. Finally this bill will also specify the authority of the Attorney General, State Police and local law enforcement in regards to enforcing licensing laws (penalties for practicing without a license will remain unaffected).
To read the bill in its entirety go to http://www.michiganlegislature.org where it is available to be downloaded and visit our licensing survey at http://www.investigation.com/surveymap/surveymap.html for details on requirements in all states.
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Monday, May 12, 2008
Kessler International is a global leader in the field of Intellectual Property Protection with over 20 years of experience and an ever-expanding roster of satisfied clients including Fortune 500 companies and prestigious Intellectual Property law firms around the world. We are excited to be attending and exhibiting at the upcoming INTA 130th Annual Meeting In Berlin May 17th-May 21st and hope to reconnect with existing clients and introduce ourselves to new ones!
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Thursday, May 08, 2008
This press release was forwarded to us regarding an investigation which we completed and referred to law enforcement for further investigation:
LOS GATOS RESIDENT ARRESTED ON GRAND THEFT CHARGES
Los Gatos, CA - The Los Gatos/Monte Sereno Police Department recently concluded a year long investigation of the theft of computers and related equipment from the Los Gatos Union School District. The investigation resulted in the arrest of Darcy Jacques LaForge, 36, a former employee of the district in charge of their computer networking and equipment requisitions. The investigation revealed that approximately $200,000 dollars worth of equipment had been taken by LaFORGE over a two-year period which he then sold over the internet to various sources.
LaForge self surrendered to authorities on Saturday, May 3, 2008 pursuant to a $25,000 arrest warrant for the charge of grand theft. Arraignment date and time is pending.
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Wednesday, March 26, 2008
Kessler International, the leading forensic accounting, computer forensics and corporate investigations firm announced today the release of the results of a nationwide survey detailing each state’s licensing requirements as a private investigator when practicing forensic accounting or computer forensics. The results of the survey can be found here: http://www.investigation.com/surveymap/surveymap.html
Kessler’s survey included private investigation licensing agencies and boards of every state in an effort to secure an official opinion as to the requirements regarding PI licensing when practicing these professions. The survey disclosed drastic variances among the States which responded to the survey.
The questions that were asked of each state licensing board or agency are:
1) Does your State require that a Public or Private Accounting Firm be licensed/registered as a Private Investigator in order to provide forensic accounting services?
2) Does your State require that a CPA, working as an employee of a Private Investigation Firm, be licensed/registered as a Private Investigator?
3) Does your State require that an accountant who is engaged in providing forensic accounting services, on behalf of a Public or Private Accounting Firm, have to be licensed/registered as a Private Investigator?
4) Does your State require that a Computer Forensic Technician who is engaged in providing computer forensic services to the general public have to be licensed as a Private Investigator?
5) Does your State require that a firm offering computer forensic services be licensed as a Private Investigator in order to provide the service to the general public?
Prior to hiring or practicing as a forensic accountant or computer forensic examiner it is suggested that you consult with an attorney who is familiar with the licensing laws for the particular state.
The responses in this survey in some cases are the interpretations of the responding agency. Kessler International has determined that some responses from these agencies reflect conflicting opinions from the State’s Attorney General Office regarding private investigative licensing concerning the practice of forensic accounting and computer forensics.
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Friday, January 25, 2008
Kessler International offers Ethics Training, report writing, and a variety of other courses to government and corporate clients to assist them in complying with Sarbanes-Oxley and other compliance requirements. Our years of experience in uncovering fraud, mismanagement and corporate abuse will be put to good use in educating others. Clients can attend in -house informative training sessions given by state certified educators and gather information and tools that will help them build ethics policies for their companies and put into place internal controls procedures that can stem the flow of fraudulent behaviors.
Corporate Compliance
Failure to participate in such programs can prove detrimental for your business and the public, and places undue strain on your staff, as they may be struggling to be in compliance. Our courses can save time and money, and effectively summarize the information necessary, providing staff with the tools necessary to perform their duties with integrity whilst complying with all applicable regulations. Kessler International is very familiar with the consequences of staff not being aware of compliance requirements, and several of our clients have come to us after compliance requirements have been breached. Kessler International was able to coach them into compliance and avoid future incidents. Our training sessions summarize this experience for you and help you identify your company’s compliance risks.
Ethics Training
It is far to common to see unethical business practices being perpetrated. One employee behaving in an unethical manner can ruin your reputation, and place your business in jeoporady. Today’s corporate climate demands ethics and integrity, and Kessler International offers courses to your key employees that propose guidelines and standards for how we conduct business every day.
Report Writing
Effective report writing is more than a tool for success, it is an art. Kessler International can provide the knowledge and framework for excellent report writing. Our success is a testament to our report writing, as professional services are based upon how you present the information available to you. Report presentation is also key for documentating procedures and remaining in compliance with existing requirements. Our courses provide the materials you need to formulate winning and lucrative reports for your business.
Specialized Courses
Kessler International can provide specialized courses for your business, and will work with you to devise the most effective curriculum for your needs. Our course schedule can incorporate corporate risk assessment, internal controls programs, conduct seminars, understanding and working with a global economy and conflicts of interest.
Kessler International has performed hundreds of forensic audits and investigations which have necesitated the implementation of ethics programs and the creation of recommendations regarding internal controls policies and procedures as a result of the findings. Over and over again, we have successfuly advised our clients how to avoid being in the types of situations that necessitated our services in the first place. Our state certified educators have participated in numerous professional developments seminars and are each uniquely qualified. Do not hesitate to contact us for more information at corporate headquarters in NYC at 212-286-9100. Also, visit our website at www.investigation.com
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Friday, January 18, 2008
Everywhere you turn, an expert is speaking, a conference is being created or a paper written regarding ethics in investigation. Having been in business for over 2 decades, we’ve seen all types of characters enter the industry, and many of our clients have come to us as a result of having used an incompetent investigator. As seen in our corporate ethics policy at http://www.investigation.com/corporate-ethics.asp, we aspire to engage in all of our work with the following guidelines in mind:
Honesty…
To be trustworthy and candid, and to act so on behalf of all of our clients.
Integrity…
To be sincere, truthful, and resolute, and to honor our commitments.
Responsibility…
To act dependably, reliably, and decisively, and to be accurate and informed in our conclusions.
Trust…
To inspire confidence and trust, and to treat all information and resources responsibly.
Don’t let your guard drop when choosing an investigator, expert witness, forensic accountant, or computer forensics specialist. “Experts” are plentiful, but experienced, trustworthy experts who get results are far and few between.
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