How Insurers Conduct Surveillance
Insurance companies routinely hire private investigation firms to conduct surveillance on disability claimants. This is legal in Ontario. Investigators may follow you in public, film you from a vehicle or on foot, photograph your activities, and compile reports with timestamps and descriptions of your movements.
Social Media Monitoring
Insurers and their investigators actively monitor Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, TikTok, and other platforms. They look for photos at events, check-ins at locations, posts about activities or travel, and anything that could be interpreted as inconsistent with your reported limitations. Even posts by friends and family who tag you can be used.
Physical Surveillance
Private investigators may park near your home, follow you to appointments or errands, and record your activities on video. They're looking for anything that appears inconsistent with your disability — carrying groceries, walking without a visible limp, driving, bending, or any physical activity.
How to Protect Yourself
• Set all social media accounts to maximum privacy. Stop posting.
• Ask friends and family not to tag you in photos or posts.
• Don't delete old posts — this can be seen as destroying evidence.
• Follow your doctor's restrictions consistently.
• If you see someone watching you, don't confront them. Note the date, time, and description.
• Remember: a good day doesn't mean you're not disabled. But be aware that everything you do in public could be filmed.
What to Do If You Spot an Investigator
Don't confront them. Don't dramatically change your routine. Note the date, time, vehicle description, and location. Contact your lawyer immediately. Surveillance evidence can be challenged in court — context matters, and we make sure the court sees the full picture.