1.   Your full legal name
2.  Any alias used in the past or present
3.  Color photo of yourself
4.  Physical description-your hair color, height, weight, eye color…
5.  Current residential address
6.  Current phone number, work, cell…
7.  Social Security Number
8.   DOB
9.   City, sate and place of birth
10. Parents full legal name- mother and father
11. State driver’s license number
12. Military service- dates in service
13. US Passport
14. Places of residence for the last 10 years
15. Complete educational history including college
16. Legal signature
17. Checking account information
18. Credit card information
19. Full employment history for preceding 10 years

IPIU claims that all this information is necessary to run a criminal wants and warrants check on prospective members. This is where Lancaster crosses the line. The web site refers to the FBI’s NCIC network, National Crime Information Center) which is only available to law enforcement agencies and select government agencies. Unauthorized access to this network would be a felony under federal law.

• The next question is, what use are fingerprint cards to Lancaster? Only law enforcement agencies or government agencies can submit criminal or applicant cards to the FBI. IPIU projects the appearance and requirements of a legitimate law enforcement agency as part of its clever con. It’s really just another part of the store front. If you think about it, it is the best way to get your confidence. Only a legitimate agency would dare require so much background information, right?

• It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out that something is really wrong here. There is absolutely no defensible reason to hand over this much personal information to join any organization, even a legitimate one. Government agencies do not ask for this much information on job applications.

• The big question remains, where does all this personal information end up? It looks like we will have to wait for law enforcement agencies that are investigating Jeremy Lancaster and IPIU to supply the answers. IPIU currently has two levels of membership. The economy membership will cost you $99.00 to join. IPIU defines the money paid as dues ($8.25 monthly). The second membership they refer to as the ‘best value’ will set you back $149.00, or dues of $12.42 monthly. There are a number of other levels, all the way up to $299.00 for executive agencies.

• Let’s not forget Lancaster’s major money maker: the Private Investigator Credentials. For only $89.95 or $99.95 for faster delivery, you get an official IPIU ID Card, complete with the color IPIU seal. This venerable piece of worthless identification costs Lancaster much less than a buck to produce with a whopping profit of $89.00, less the cost of a stamp to send it. There is also a gold badge and leather case to go with the ID card for only $175.00 in addition.

• Interestingly enough, badges are illegal for private investigators in almost all states. Lancaster snags his victims from Internet job sites like Monster, Career Builders and newspapers to name a few. The sad fact is that his victims are the very people who can least afford to lose their money. Most are desperately seeking employment. The glamour of working as a private investigator is the hook that Lancaster uses to snag his unsuspecting victims.

• If you are on a budget, one way to save big money is to go on eBay and buy your badge, ID card and training manual in IPIU’s online auctions at a discount. Just log into www.ebay.com, go to the top of the page, click community enter IPIU_USA. This will take you to Lancaster’ online store. While there, you can buy your favorite VHS movie or DVD in a one cent guaranteed sale. Of course, you will have to pay the $5.00 shipping and handling costs.

• It seems that Lancaster will sell anything for a buck. We will continue to monitor this story and will let you know how it ends.