01
Surveillance
Documented field surveillance for personal injury, workers' compensation, custody and infidelity matters.
$125.00 per hour minimum
3D scene. All screens and documents are fictional.
Licensed & confidential · Arcadia, CA
Answers you can act on, from licensed private investigators in Arcadia.
California Recovery Investigations, Inc. handles surveillance, background checks, process service and fraud investigation for attorneys, businesses, insurers, bail agents and individuals across Southern California. Discreetly, and within the bounds of California law.
- CA BSIS License #188623
- 4.8 on Google (23 reviews)
- Available 24/7 for new inquiries
- Confidential, no-obligation consultations
01Records
Records, examined closely.
Criminal, civil, property, utility and telephone database searches, background checks and locates, drawing on verified public records and licensed database access.
02Evidence
Evidence, organized and compared.
Surveillance produces video, photographs and written logs, each item dated and each position documented.
03Findings
Findings, documented with care.
We document findings so they hold up under scrutiny, and we keep you updated while the case is active, not just at the end of it.
04Your next step
Then, a straight answer.
Tell us what's going on. Every consultation is confidential, and there's no obligation to move forward.
- Licensed
- CA BSIS #188623
- Combined experience
- 50+ years
- New inquiries
- 24/7
- Core services
- 7 on file
What we handle
Seven services, one careful standard.
Each case is opened, worked and documented the same careful way, whether you're an attorney, a business, or an individual with a personal matter.
See all services02
Background Checks
Pre-hire, tenant and personal background investigations built on verified public and private records.
Criminal background check $100
03
Process Service
Timely, legally compliant service of process across the San Gabriel Valley and greater Los Angeles.
4-hour serve with surveillance $300
04
Fraud & Insurance Claims
Investigation support for suspected fraud, staged claims and disputed insurance cases.
$125.00 per hour minimum
05
Database Searches & Locates
Criminal, civil, property and telephone database searches, plus locating individuals who owe you money.
Searches from $50
06
Polygraph Exams
Polygraph examinations administered by trained examiners for personal, legal or pre-employment purposes.
Polygraph deposit $150
07
Fugitive Recovery
Locating and recovering individuals who have skipped bail or gone missing from legal obligations, in coordination with bail agents and the courts.
Learn how it works
Not sure which service you need?
Tell us what's going on and we'll point you to the right service.
Find the right service
Tell us who you are. We'll show where to start.
Litigation support for active matters, documented carefully from the start.
Where to start
Due diligence and pre-employment checks before you commit to a hire or a deal.
Where to start
A personal matter that needs discreet, straight answers.
Where to start
A disputed case or suspected fraud that needs a closer look.
Where to start
Locating and recovering someone who skipped bail or a legal obligation.
Where to start
How it works
From first call to documented findings.
Every case is opened, worked and documented the same careful way.
Tell us what's going on
Call (626) 705-4552 or send a request any time. We're available 24/7 for new inquiries, and the consultation is confidential with no obligation.
We point you to the right service
Surveillance, a background check, a database search or process service: we match the work to what you actually need.
Your case is opened and worked
Licensed, experienced investigators handle it discreetly and within the bounds of California law.
You get documented findings
We keep you updated while the case is active, and document findings so they hold up under scrutiny.
See us in action
A closer look at how we work.
A short film about what we do and the approach we bring to every case. It plays with sound, only when you press play.
Client reviews
What clients are saying.
Rated 4.8 out of 5 on Google from 23 reviews. Three of them are below, followed by excerpts from our Yelp profile. Each links to its source.
Google reviews4.8
4.8 out of 5 from 23 reviews on Google for California Recovery Investigations, Inc., private investigator in Arcadia, CA. As shown on Google, October 2026.
Google review
“I’ve had the opportunity to work with Kevin at California Recovery Investigations and have been very impressed with his professionalism, discretion, and attention to detail. Kevin has assisted us with background checks, and I’ve found him to be thorough, responsive, and easy to work with.
His experience also includes polygraph examinations and surveillance, and it’s clear that he takes both the sensitivity and confidentiality of his work very seriously.
If you’re looking for a knowledgeable and dependable private investigator who will handle your situation professionally and discreetly, I highly recommend Kevin and California Recovery Investigations.”
Google review
“As a commercial property owner, I want to make sure I select a tenant that checks all the boxes. Pays on time, good credit score, long time business owner, no liens, judgements, bankruptcies, or any convictions. His report gave me peace of mind that I will have an excellent, long term tenant. I highly recommend Kevin Appleton for your real estate investigation needs.”
Google review
“Are you looking for a Private Investigator? Look no more. This is a very professional firm where they do their utmost best to get you the information and the job done to your satisfaction. Kevin is knowledgeable, respectful and knows what he is doing.
I strongly recommend their services.”
From our Yelp profile
“Kevin and his team are very good at what they do! I will continue to use them for my background checks and private investigation services. Thanks again for all of your hard work and diligence!”
“As a realtor, I'm often vetting applicants for my clients. Within hours, Kevin was able to confirm the applicant was clear from everything. Having California Recovery Investigations at my fingertips gives me the upper hand.”
“Excellent service! He can find anyone you are looking for. I would highly recommend and will definitely use his services again in the future!”
“Highly knowledgeable and has the expertise in his field of investigation and more. Always dependable and reliable — a smooth, stress-free experience.”
Reviews shown are excerpted from our Yelp profile. Read them in full on Yelp, or see all 23 on Google.
Pricing
Flat-fee searches, priced up front.
Order database searches online and check out through PayPal. Private investigations and surveillance are a minimum of $125.00 per hour.
$75
Basic Person Locate
Current address and telephone number.
$100
Criminal Background Check
Adult arrests and traffic offenses, with dates.
$125
Advanced Person Locate
Address, phone, email, D.O.B. and SSN.
$225
Asset Locate
Vehicles, homes, planes and other assets owned.
$125/hr
Investigations & surveillance
Hourly minimum for private investigations and surveillance.
See the full rate sheet
Mastercard, Amex, Visa, Discover and PayPal accepted.
From the blog
Plain-English guides before you call.
Practical answers from a licensed California investigation firm.
Hiring a PI
How to Hire a Private Investigator in California: 7 Questions to Ask First
Verify the license, ask about methods, reports and fees, and know the red flags.
Process Service
How to Serve Court Papers in California: A Plain-English Guide
Who can serve papers, personal and substituted service, and proof of service.
Personal Injury
California Personal Injury Surveillance Evidence: How Attorneys Build Stronger Cases
Why documented observation matters in injury claims, and where surveillance helps.
Yes. Every consultation and case is handled discreetly and kept confidential, and there's no obligation to move forward.
Yes. California Recovery Investigations, Inc. is licensed through the California Bureau of Security and Investigative Services (BSIS), License #188623.
Attorneys who need litigation support, businesses doing due diligence or pre-employment checks, individuals with a personal matter, insurers reviewing a disputed claim, and bail agents and courts requiring fugitive recovery.
We're based in Arcadia and work across the San Gabriel Valley, Los Angeles County, and Southern California. Ask us about your specific location.
Database searches and many services are flat-fee and listed on the Pricing page. Private investigations and surveillance are a minimum of $125.00 per hour.
Yes. We keep clients updated as a case moves, not just at the end of it.
We're available 24/7 for new inquiries. Call (626) 705-4552.
Confidential consultation
Have a case that needs a closer look?
Tell us what you're dealing with. Consultations are confidential, and there's no obligation to move forward.