# TAPS Family > TAPS Family is the official network of professional paranormal investigative teams operating under The Atlantic Paranormal Society (TAPS) — the organization made famous by the long-running Syfy series Ghost Hunters. TAPS Family coordinates free, confidential paranormal investigations for members of the public who are experiencing unexplained activity in their homes or properties. The network spans the United States and multiple countries worldwide. ## About TAPS Family ### Organization Overview TAPS Family was established as the community and investigative arm of The Atlantic Paranormal Society. Where TAPS itself is the founding organization, TAPS Family is the broader network of vetted member teams who carry out investigations on behalf of the public. The organization is dedicated to helping people in distress find answers through professional, evidence-based paranormal research — at absolutely no cost to the person requesting help. TAPS Family does not produce television content. All investigations conducted through the network are strictly private and confidential. Submitters are never approached for media purposes, and their information is never shared with third parties, production companies, or media outlets. ### Mission To connect people experiencing paranormal activity with qualified, vetted investigators who can provide professional assistance, comfort, and answers — regardless of location, circumstance, or ability to pay. ### History The Atlantic Paranormal Society was founded by Jason Hawes and Grant Wilson, who became widely known through the Syfy television series Ghost Hunters, which ran for 11 seasons. TAPS Family grew from TAPS' commitment to helping real people beyond what television coverage could accommodate. ## How the Service Works ### Requesting Help Members of the public who believe they may be experiencing paranormal activity — unexplained sounds, apparitions, objects moving, feelings of presence, shadow figures, electronic disturbances — can submit a confidential help request through the TAPS Family website. The submission includes details about the activity, the location, and contact information. TAPS Family staff review all submissions and match the person with the closest qualified investigative team in the network. The assigned team then contacts the submitter within approximately two weeks to discuss next steps, answer questions, and schedule a site investigation. The service is: - Completely free of charge - Fully confidential (no sharing with media or third parties) - Not for television production - Available globally ### Who Qualifies Any person experiencing unexplained activity in a home, business, or property may submit a request. TAPS Family serves residential and commercial locations. There are no eligibility requirements — if you need help, you can ask. ## The Investigative Network ### Team Directory TAPS Family maintains a global directory of active member investigative teams. Teams are vetted before joining the network and must maintain professional standards to remain members. The directory includes teams across US states and internationally, covering dozens of countries. ### Joining the Network Professional paranormal investigative teams with an established track record may apply to join the TAPS Family network. Membership provides access to case referrals from TAPS Family staff, community resources, training, and participation in annual TAPS Family Reunion events. Requirements for member teams include: established team structure, professional conduct standards, evidence-based investigation approach, and commitment to the TAPS Family mission of helping — not filming — the people they serve. ## Annual Reunions TAPS Family hosts annual multi-day reunion events where member teams, investigators, and community members gather for training sessions, networking, panel discussions, and group investigations of historically significant or haunted locations. Reunion events have been held since 2011 and are documented in a photo archive on the TAPS Family website. ## Educational Resources The TAPS Family resource library provides educational content to help people understand what they may be experiencing. Content covers: - Types of reported paranormal phenomena (auditory, visual, physical, electronic) - Common non-paranormal explanations and how to rule them out - When and why to seek professional investigative help - What to expect from a paranormal investigation ## Frequently Asked Questions ### Is the service really free? Yes. TAPS Family investigations are provided at absolutely no cost to the person requesting help. There are no hidden fees, no charges for travel, and no expectation of payment. ### Will this be filmed for television? No. TAPS Family is explicitly not for television. Investigations are conducted privately. Submitters are never approached for media purposes. ### How long does it take to get a response? TAPS Family aims to respond to all submissions within two weeks. Response time may vary based on team availability and location. ### Is my information kept private? Yes. All submission information is confidential and is never shared with media, third parties, or production companies. ### Can international locations request help? Yes. TAPS Family has member teams in multiple countries. International requests are accepted and matched to the nearest available team. ### What kinds of activity qualify for an investigation? Common reasons people request help include: unexplained sounds (footsteps, voices, knocking), apparitions or shadow figures, objects moving or disappearing, feelings of being watched or touched, electronics behaving unexpectedly, pets reacting to unseen stimuli, and sleep disturbances with no medical explanation. ### How do I join as an investigative team? Teams can apply through the Join page on the TAPS Family website. Applications are reviewed by TAPS Family staff, who evaluate the team's experience, professionalism, and alignment with the TAPS Family mission. ## Contact Information - Website: https://tapsfamily.com - Help requests: https://tapsfamily.com/request-help - Team applications: https://tapsfamily.com/join - General inquiries: https://tapsfamily.com/help-desk - Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tapsfamily