pettus (patoos) -noun
Pettus is an Estonian word for fraud. According to Merriam-Webster, the definition of fraud is:
- a. specifically: intentional perversion of truth in order to induce another to part with something of value or to surrender a legal right
b. an act of deceiving or misrepresenting - a. a person who is not what he or she pretends to be
b. one that is not what it seems or is represented to be
Pettus Investigations, LLC is a private investigation firm owned by Helena Snyder and is located just outside the Portland metropolitan area. Helena is a licensed and insured investigator in Oregon and Washington.
Very proud of her Estonian and Greek heritage, Helena chose to name her company, Pettus Investigations, as a reflection and honor to her paternal grandparents, who fled from their native Estonia over 70 years ago; in their perseverance to seek better opportunities for their family.
With perseverance and expertise at her side, Pettus Investigations provides several investigative services including background investigations, insurance (SIU) investigations, asset searches, witness locates, notary services, habeas corpus assistance, litigation support, and educational seminars.
Over the past 25 years, Helena has gained extensive knowledge in coordinating and conducting complex investigations surrounding questionable or fraudulent matters all while providing quality and cost effective investigations.
Helena graduated from Portland State University with a Bachelor’s degree in Administration of Justice, and is an active member of the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE). Helena is also a Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE), and is also the Oregon State Bar representative for the Private Security Investigators Policy Committee with the Oregon Department of Public Safety Standards and Training (OR DPSST).
Furthermore, Helena is recognized for her presentations regarding insurance fraud, research and investigative tools, and performing asset searches which she has provided to several national and local organizations.