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Terms of Service

Clear Standards for Defensible Service

By engaging SPEAR Background & Investigative Services, clients agree to the following Terms of Service. These standards ensure clarity, compliance, and defensibility in every engagement.

Scope of Services

​SPEAR provides regulated investigative services under active licensure in Virginia and Maryland. All investigative reports are humancurated, compliant with applicable federal laws, and designed to support defensible decisionmaking.

Service offerings include criminal history checks, identity verification, housing and employment screening, fraud and financial reviews, firearm vetting, social media and digitalexposure analysis, and Full Scope Background Reviews.

Dual Model Scope Statement

SPEAR provides regulated investigative services solely within the Commonwealth of Virginia and the State of Maryland under applicable licensing authority.Outside Virginia and Maryland, SPEAR provides informationbased services only, including publicrecords research, opensource intelligence (OSINT) analysis, digitalfootprint reviews, identity verification, and riskbased reporting.

These information services do not constitute regulated private investigative activity and rely exclusively on publicly available information.

No Investigative Conclusions Statement

Information provided by SPEAR is intended for client decisionsupport purposes only. SPEAR does not determine guilt, innocence, liability, or wrongdoing, and does not provide legal conclusions or investigative opinions outside the scope of regulated investigative services performed in Virginia and Maryland.

Use of Reports

  • ​Reports must be used for lawful purposes only.

  • Clients are responsible for ensuring compliance with all federal, state, and local regulations.

  • Reports may not be resold, redistributed, or used outside the agreed investigative or informational scope.

Delivery Standards

  • ​Standard Delivery: 1–3 business days

  • Rush Delivery: 1–2 business days (+$45)

  • Critical Delivery: Under 24 hours, scope dependent (+$95)


Social Media Reviews and Full Scope Background Reviews are available only under Standard delivery timelines.

Confidentiality & Privacy

  • ​All client data is collected through secure, encrypted channels.

  • SPEAR does not sell or disclose client information outside investigative or legal requirements.

  • Reports are accessible only to licensed investigators and authorized clients.

Authorization Requirements

​Self Checks:
Clients requesting investigations on themselves must provide their identifying details (name, date of birth, social security number, address).

Third Party Checks:
Investigations involving another individual require that person’s contact information so SPEAR can issue an authorization form.

Signed Consent:
No thirdparty investigation will proceed without signed authorization from the subject of the investigation.

Limitations of Liability

  • SPEAR provides factual, licensed, and compliant reports but does not guarantee outcomes based on client decisions.

  • SPEAR is not liable for damages resulting from misuse, misinterpretation, or unauthorized distribution of reports.

  • Clients assume responsibility for compliance with applicable laws when using SPEAR reports.

Payment & Subscription Terms

  • Payment is due at the time of service or subscription activation.

  • Subscription plans (Basic, Standard, Premium, Annual Premium) include defined report allowances.

  • Rush and Critical delivery options are billed separately.

  • Unused reports do not roll over unless otherwise specified in writing.

Governing Law

  • All services are governed by the laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia.

  • Any disputes will be resolved under Virginia jurisdiction.

Agreement

By initiating services with SPEAR Background & Investigative Services, clients acknowledge and agree to these Terms of Service.

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