It’s one of the questions we get asked more than you might think. Someone suspects their partner is hiding something. A business owner thinks an employee is leaking information. A parent is worried about who their teenager is talking to. And the question comes up: can you just get into their phone?
It’s a fair question. With so much of our lives stored on our devices messages, photos, location history, social media it’s natural to assume that’s where the answers are. So let’s be straight with you about what we can do, what we can’t do, and why the legal side of this matters enormously.
The Short Answer
No. A legitimate, professional private investigator cannot and will not remotely hack into someone’s phone. Not because the technology doesn’t exist, but because doing so is a serious criminal offence under UK law and any investigator who tells you otherwise is either lying to you or operating outside the law.
At Dolos Investigations, we’ve built our reputation on doing things properly. Our work is led by a former Detective Sergeant with over 25 years of investigative experience, and everything we do has to stand up to scrutiny legally, professionally, and ethically. Cutting corners isn’t something we’re willing to do, and it isn’t something you should want us to do either.
Why Phone Hacking is Illegal
Unauthorised access to someone’s device whether that’s reading their messages, accessing their accounts, or installing spyware falls foul of several pieces of legislation in the UK:
The Computer Misuse Act 1990 makes it a criminal offence to access any computer or device without authorisation. This includes smartphones. It doesn’t matter who owns the device, who you’re married to, or what you suspect the person of doing accessing their phone without permission is illegal.
The Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 (RIPA) governs the interception of communications. Intercepting someone’s messages or calls without lawful authority is a criminal offence. This legislation applies to private individuals and private investigators just as much as it does to anyone else.
The Data Protection Act 2018 and the UK GDPR also come into play when it comes to gathering and handling personal data including data obtained from someone’s device.
The penalties for breaking these laws are significant. We’re talking potential imprisonment, not just a fine. And any evidence gathered through illegal means is likely to be inadmissible in court anyway so it defeats the purpose entirely.
What About Those Companies That Claim They Can Do It?
There are companies out there often based overseas that market phone hacking services to the public. Some claim to be able to read WhatsApp messages, access iCloud or Google accounts, or install tracking software remotely.
Our advice: stay well clear.
At best, these are scams after your money. At worst, you could be handed criminal liability for instructing someone to commit an offence on your behalf. Either way, you won’t get reliable evidence, and you may end up in a far worse legal position than when you started.
The private investigation industry is unregulated in the UK, which unfortunately means there are people operating in it with no training, no professional standards, and no accountability. We are a Member of the ABI (Association of British Investigators), which means we commit to a code of professional conduct and operate within the law. The ABI is the only association in the private investigation industry endorsed by the Law Society of England and Wales.
So How Do We Actually Get You Answers?
The good news is that there is a great deal we can legally do and in most cases, it’s more than enough to get you the truth you’re looking for.
Surveillance is at the heart of what we do. Using highly trained operatives and the latest covert equipment, we can build a detailed, evidential picture of a person’s movements, activities, and associations. Our background means we know exactly how to conduct surveillance in a way that produces results admissible in court. You can find out more on our surveillance page.
Vehicle tracking with the right legal basis allows us to monitor where a vehicle goes, when, and for how long. This can be invaluable in cases involving suspected infidelity, employee misconduct, or fraud. See our vehicle tracking service for more details.
Open Source Intelligence (OSINT) involves gathering information from publicly available sources social media profiles, public records, online activity. People share a remarkable amount of information publicly without realising it, and a skilled investigator can piece together a detailed picture without ever touching a private device.
Background checks and people tracing can verify identities, uncover hidden information, and locate individuals all through entirely lawful means.
Fraud investigation whether it involves an employee, a business partner, or an insurance claimant can often be resolved through a combination of surveillance, background research, and financial analysis, without needing to access anyone’s device.
What If You Genuinely Suspect Your Partner?
If you think your partner is being unfaithful, it’s an incredibly difficult position to be in. We deal with these cases regularly and we understand how much is at stake. Our cheating partner investigation service is designed to give you the evidence you need clearly documented, professionally presented, and obtained entirely within the law.
Surveillance in these situations often tells you everything you need to know. Where someone goes, who they meet, when and for how long. That’s real, tangible evidence and it holds up far better than screenshots from a hacked device.
Bug Sweeps Protecting You From Surveillance
Worth mentioning here: while we don’t hack phones, we do help protect people who are concerned about being monitored without their knowledge. Our bug sweep service uses specialist countersurveillance equipment to detect hidden cameras, listening devices, and GPS trackers that may have been placed in your home, vehicle, or business premises.
If you have reason to believe someone is tracking or monitoring you, that’s something we can investigate.
The Bottom Line
Any private investigator worth their salt will tell you the same thing: there are no shortcuts worth taking when the law is this clear. The methods we use are legal, professional, and crucially they work.
If you have questions about what we can do for your specific situation, get in touch. We offer a free, confidential consultation and we’ll always be honest with you about what’s realistic and what isn’t.
You can call us on 0114 438 7077, reach us on 075380 87077, or email enquiries@dolosinvestigations.co.uk. We’re available Monday to Sunday, 8am to 9pm, with investigation availability around the clock.
Dolos Investigations is a Full Member of the Association of British Investigators (ABI) and is run by a former Detective Sergeant with over 25 years of investigative experience. We cover Sheffield, Leeds, Manchester, Nottingham, Derby, and across the UK. All our investigators are DBS checked and carry Professional Indemnity and Public Liability insurance.
