Private investigator warns people to look for four 'common and obvious' signs your partner is cheating on you

Getting cheated on is one of the hardest things for someone to deal with, but one private investigator is helping people sniff out when they're potentially being lied to - including the four most obvious signs.

Building a relationship can be hard, but finding out that your partner has cheated on you is even harder, and some people do everything it takes to confirm their suspicions if they start to get curious.

Curious partners may investigate themselves, or even hire private investigators to uncover any potential hidden relationships and private affairs that they may not be equipped enough to find.

Private investigators are skilled in the game, and know exactly what to look for when it comes to finding out if someone really is hiding something.

Though it can often just be one tell-tale sign that you should look out for, there are others to be receptive of, if they come up.

There are signs that can show if your partner is cheating. (Getty Stock Photo)

Tom Martin, a former federal agent turned private investigator, has revealed the obvious signs that someone is cheating, and has advised when you should start to worry.

Speaking to The Independent, Tom revealed that cheaters tend to follow the same patterns, and have been for the last 40 years.

As the president of Martin Investigative Services in Newport Beach, California, he also wrote the book Seeing Life through Private Eyes, in which he lists the 20 of the most telling clues that may reveal the infidelity of your partner.

It turns out that noticing just one or two of these signs isn't a cause for concern, but if you spot four or more, it's a dead giveaway.

If you spot four of these signs, it's time to start worry according to Tom. (Getty Stock Photo)

Of course, the most obvious ones are some that you will have heard numerous times before:

Longer hours at work

Work can be one of the most common excuses when it comes to cheating, and spending longer at their job seemingly out of nowhere could indicate something is amiss in your relationship.

Business trips

Again, while isolated it may not be anything to worry about, if your partner is suddenly going away a lot more with work it could be cause for concern.

Going on loads of business trips are a common sign. (Getty stock image)

Less sex

Natural fluctuations in how much you and your other half get it on are completely normal, but according to the private investigator, it can also be a tell-tale sign that your partner is being unfaithful.

Of course, this isn't set in stone - maybe your partner doesn’t fancy sex because they’re tired or stressed from work.

Getting on the defense

Perhaps one of the most obvious is getting extremely defensive during conversations, which can be a sign that your partner is hiding something from you.

But there are other things such as suddenly signing up to a gym or wanting a new wardrobe, which could be a sign of improving for somebody else.

Less sex was also on the list. (Getty stock image)

However, the huge tell-tale sign is intuition, which is how most people can tell if their partner is not being faithful to them.

Here's the full list of signs to look out for:

1. Changing habits suddenly
2. Leaving home early and returning late
3. Numerous business trips
4. Questionable holiday or family event absences
5. Excessive overtime
6. Unexplained spending
7. Secret social media accounts (or emails)
8. Hidden credit card bills
9. Extra grooming/self-care
10. Scent of someone else
11. Buying gifts you haven't seen
12. Unexplained items - e.g condoms in the car
13. Suddenly joining a gym
14. Missed calls from an unknown number
15. Coded or secretive text messages
16. Less sex
17. Evasiveness or defensiveness
18. Obvious lies
19. Prickliness or short temper
20. Hate surprise visits (your unexpected arrival may come at an inopportune time for a cheater)

People are as well equipped as they ever have been to catch a cheater. (Getty Stock Photo)

Even if they don't show any of these typical signs, your intuition may pick up on something.

But in this, the age of technology, Tom has explained that most people can do their own digging and investigating.

“The game has changed drastically,” Martin revealed.

“And technology is 100 percent the reason why.”

The signs are all the same, but something as simple as seeing someone logging on to an iCloud account can be a giveaway.

Although, the PI has urged people not to jump to conclusions over just a couple of these signs, as it could 'jeopardise a valuable relationship over what may be unfounded anxieties'.

Of course, you can look out for four of these signs to put your mind at ease, or do it the old fashioned day and call your own private investigator.