Residence Investigation Switzerland

When concluding a contract or processing an application, it is usually assumed that the personal information provided is correct. However, this can lead to unpleasant surprises. Authorities in particular are often supplied with false personal data in order to obtain benefits fraudulently or reduce tax liabilities. The significant differences in cantonal regulations make Switzerland particularly vulnerable to domestic and foreign fraudsters.

The Kurtz Detective Agency Zurich and Switzerland verifies residence details and other personal information for accuracy — court-admissible and with maximum discretion: +41 44 5522 264.

Verification of Residence Details | Benefit Fraud

A typical field of work for residence investigations is questionable applications for social assistance. For example, someone living in a marital-type partnership (cohabitation) has a lower entitlement to benefits than a single person, because the partner must first cover expenses before the social office intervenes. For the same reason, benefit fraudsters may claim to live separately from their partner, even though the relationship continues. To make the fraud appear credible, they may create a pseudo-address and conceal their actual residence in the application. Switzerland provides many options for this: besides addresses such as owned property, a rented apartment, or the address of a friend, relative, or colleague — who may knowingly or unknowingly assist in the benefit fraud — there are numerous domicile services that can be abused to simulate a residence.

Therefore, it is always advisable to carefully verify social assistance applications for accuracy. Authorities can access registry data, but the actual residence can only be confirmed or refuted through direct checks at the stated address. If no trace of the suspect is found on-site aside from a mailbox nameplate, and neighbours cannot provide information, deception is likely. Even if the individual is located, repeated surveillance is necessary to determine whether a genuine, permanent residence exists. Additionally, correct addresses can be determined via address research. Our trained detectives in Switzerland are happy to assist your authority or law firm. We offer non-binding advice on the approach that promises the best results in each case. Please use our contact form or call us.

Unlawful Maintenance Claims

After the dissolution of a marriage or long-term partnership, typically one ex-partner is entitled to maintenance while the other is obliged to pay, which inherently creates conflict potential. Just as many maintenance payers attempt to conceal their actual income to reduce payments, maintenance recipients may also hide changes in circumstances to maintain their entitlement. For instance, if an ex-partner initially lives alone after separation and then enters a new relationship with shared residence and mutual financial responsibility, the maintenance claim may be reduced or lost. To avoid affecting the previous arrangement, maintenance recipients may resort to tricks — such as maintaining the single apartment officially (sometimes secretly subletting it) while actually living in their new partner’s villa on Lake Geneva.

It is therefore up to you or your lawyer to prove the actual place of residence and real living conditions. Our experienced Zurich private detective agency is happy to undertake this task across Switzerland. Describe your case for a non-binding consultation by email at kontakt@kurtz-detektei-schweiz.ch or by telephone at +41 44 5522 264.