Messaging your Investigator
The Messages panel inside your Case is the fastest way to reach your Investigator without sending email. This article covers what messaging includes, what your Investigator sees, and what to do when a thread feels stuck.
The Messages panel inside your Case is the fastest way to reach your Investigator without sending email. This article covers what messaging includes, what your Investigator sees, and what to do when a thread feels stuck.
Where to find Messages
Open your Case from the Client dashboard, then choose the Messages tab. Each Case has its own thread, so a question about one matter never gets mixed in with a different one. If you only have one Case, you may also see a Messages link in the dashboard header that takes you straight to that thread.
What you can send
- Text messages, including links and longer formatted notes.
- Attachments such as photos, documents, or screenshots.
- Replies that quote a specific earlier message for context.
Files you attach in Messaging are stored separately from formal Case Evidence. They are convenient for back-and-forth and quick clarifications. If something needs to be part of the formal record, ask your Investigator to add it to Evidence so it gets the same integrity checks every other Case file receives.
Who reads what you send
Messages in your Case go to the Investigator and to anyone on their team who has been added to your Case as Owner, Admin, or Investigator. Other Clients on the same Case do not see your messages unless explicitly added to the same thread by your Investigator. If you are unsure who is on your Case, ask your Investigator before sharing anything sensitive.
Notifications and read receipts
You will get an in-app notification badge when there is a new reply. Email notifications may also arrive depending on the preferences set up for the Case. The thread shows when a message has been delivered. Read indicators appear once your Investigator has opened the thread.
Response times
Investigators are often in the field. Response times vary, especially during active surveillance, court appearances, or out-of-state work. If a matter is time sensitive, say so in the first line of your message so the right person sees it first.
Starting a video call instead
If a topic is too long for chat, you can ask your Investigator to schedule a video call. See Joining a video call as a Client for what to expect on call day.
If a thread will not load
Refresh the page first. If the issue continues, check Troubleshooting failed chat connections. As a fallback, your Investigator's contact information is on their public profile.
Related
Related in For Clients
Accepting a Case invitation
If a Private Investigator on NearbySpy has invited you to a Case, you will receive an email with an Accept link.
Client account settings
Your Client settings page lets you control how you sign in, how you receive notifications, and what your Investigator sees about you. This article walks through the most common settings and what each one does.
Joining a video call as a Client
NearbySpy video calls let you meet face-to-face with your Investigator without installing software, downloading an app, or sharing a personal phone number.
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