Countervail

Terms of Service


Countervail LLC – Services Agreement

This Service Agreement governs all investigative, cybersecurity, advisory, and analytical services provided by Countervail LLC, a veteran-owned Washington State licensed private investigation agency. It replaces and supersedes all prior versions of the Terms of Service published on this website.

1. Who We Are

Countervail LLC is a Washington limited liability company licensed under RCW 18.165 to provide private investigation services. We offer investigator-led cybersecurity consulting, cybercrime investigations, OSINT research, exposure assessments, fraud analysis, and related advisory services for individuals and organizations.

Contact: contact@countervailintelligence.com Website: www.countervailintelligence.com

2. Scope of Services

All services are defined in a mutually executed Statement of Work (SOW). Depending on the engagement, services may include:

  • Cybercrime and online fraud investigations
  • Identity theft, impersonation, and account compromise analysis
  • Business email compromise (BEC) and social engineering investigations
  • OSINT research and digital footprint analysis
  • Cybersecurity exposure assessments and hardening recommendations
  • Timeline reconstruction, event documentation, and evidence preparation
  • Briefings for executives, counsel, insurers, or law enforcement
  • Scenario-based training and workshops

All investigative work is performed using lawful methods consistent with RCW 18.165, the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act (18 U.S.C. § 1030), and other applicable laws.

3. Legal Compliance

Countervail conducts all services lawfully and will not:

  • Access accounts, systems, or devices without proper authorization
  • Engage in unauthorized surveillance or illegal interception of communications
  • Assist in locating or contacting individuals when prohibited by court order
  • Provide legal, financial, or regulatory advice

Client represents that all requests are for lawful purposes and that no protective orders or restrictions apply.

4. Client Responsibilities

Clients agree to:

  • Provide accurate, complete information and timely access to relevant records or personnel
  • Obtain any required internal or third-party permissions
  • Review deliverables within the specified timeframe
  • Use all findings and deliverables only for lawful purposes
  • Maintain responsibility for implementation of recommendations

Countervail is not responsible for delays or reduced service quality caused by incomplete information or lack of cooperation.

5. Fees and Billing

Fees are defined in each SOW and may include:

  • Project-based pricing for defined scopes
  • Hourly billing for advisory or out-of-scope work
  • Retainers for ongoing advisory availability

Unless otherwise stated:

  • Project engagements require a 50% deposit
  • Hourly work is invoiced monthly
  • Expenses (travel, records fees, etc.) are billed at cost with prior approval
  • Late payments may result in suspension of work, withheld deliverables, or termination

6. Term and Termination

Either party may terminate an Agreement or SOW:

  • With 30 days’ written notice (convenience)
  • Immediately for material breach not cured within 10 business days
  • Immediately if Client misrepresents the purpose of the engagement or requests unlawful activity

Upon termination, Client must pay for all services performed and expenses incurred through the effective date.

7. Deliverables and Intellectual Property

Upon full payment, Client receives a non-exclusive license to use deliverables for lawful purposes related to the engagement.

Countervail retains ownership of all methodologies, frameworks, analytical processes, and proprietary materials. Clients may not reproduce, commercialize, or reverse engineer Countervail’s proprietary methods.

8. Confidentiality

Both parties agree to protect each other’s confidential information using reasonable care.

Confidential information includes:

  • Personal, financial, or sensitive information provided by Client
  • Countervail’s proprietary methods, pricing, and business information

Confidentiality obligations last for two years, except for trade secrets, which remain protected indefinitely.

Countervail may disclose information when required by law or valid court order.

9. Data Security and Breach Notification

If Countervail confirms unauthorized access or disclosure of Client information requiring notification under law, Countervail will notify Client within 72 hours and provide available details.

Client is responsible for external notifications unless applicable law requires Countervail to notify directly.

10. Limitations of Liability

To the maximum extent permitted by law:

  • Services are provided “as is” without warranties
  • Countervail’s total liability is limited to the greater of (i) fees paid in the prior six months or (ii) fees paid or payable under the applicable SOW
  • Neither party is liable for indirect, incidental, or consequential damages

These limitations do not apply to gross negligence or willful misconduct.

11. Indemnification

Countervail will indemnify Client for third-party claims arising from Countervail’s gross negligence, willful misconduct, confidentiality breaches, legal violations, or IP infringement (subject to exclusions).

Client will indemnify Countervail for claims arising from Client’s misuse of deliverables, unlawful actions, or failure to obtain required permissions.

12. Governing Law

This Agreement is governed by the laws of the State of Washington.

13. Contact

For questions about this Agreement, contact:

Countervail LLC contact@countervailintelligence.com www.countervailintelligence.com