When you find yourself in need of a locksmith most times it is an emergency situation. Most locksmiths are reputable businesses and will service your needs in a professional manner that ensures the quality and security of their work.
However, there has been an increase in the rate of fraudulent locksmith businesses all across the country. Many of these scams are so crafty and thorough that it’s difficult to tell them apart from the reputable businesses available.
In this article, I will provide some tips and practices so you don’t fall victim to a fraudulent operation that isn’t just annoying and expensive but can also be dangerous.
Ads for Fraudulent Locksmiths
Most of the time when a person finds themselves needing the services of a locksmith they are anxious because they are stranded. Typically they are locked out of their home or vehicle. In other cases, their home or security is in danger due to a malfunctioning or damaged lock or safe. When faced with a situation like this, the first thing people do is an internet search for a locksmith near them.
This search will produce a list of businesses in their area, however, not all of them will be reputable. Some may not even be in their area at all. Fraudulent businesses will use several tactics to seem legitimate. The fraudulent website may show pictures of a physical place of business in your area with actual maps. One of the main tricks is to offer a price that is lower than anyone else.
How the Scam Works
When you call the number posted your call is forwarded to a call center operator that is usually based outside of the country. The agent will offer you an irresistible price upfront to perform the service and then dispatch a sub-contractor to your location.
When the locksmith arrives and begins work on your lock they will claim to encounter problems with the lock and in many cases proceed to drill the lock. This will destroy the lock and will wind up needing to be replaced with a new one, usually of lesser quality and higher cost. By the end of the service call, that irresistible price becomes much more than you anticipated, more important than the quality of the work and parts may even be so poor they create a dangerous scenario.
Ways to Avoid Being Scammed
Here are five tips that can help guard against fraudulent locksmiths when you need quality and security the most.
Too Good to be True
If the price is too good to be true it usually is. This is one of the main ways a fraudulent locksmith will attempt to gain your business. This isn’t to suggest that reputable locksmiths are expensive but rather no contractor will quote you a price for any service over the phone without even inspecting and evaluating the project.
A reputable locksmith will quote you a price to come out to your location and then give you a written price quote for the work to be done after they see what the job requires.
Referrals
One of the best ways to avoid being scammed by any fraudulent business is always to get referrals from friends and family members. Obtaining a referral for a locksmith may be a little more difficult because it just simply isn’t a service that is used every day. Many times when you need a locksmith you need them to provide service quickly because you don’t always have the luxury of time to research.
Research the Website
When referrals aren’t an option, do an internet search and avoid the sites at the top clearly marked “Ad” because those sites are only at the top of the search page because the company paid for them to be there, not because that locksmith is preferred by customers. Read the customer reviews. The more reviews the better but also look to see if they sound genuine rather than “gushing” over how wonderful the service was.
Unbelievable reviews are usually a hint that the business is fraudulent. On the other hand, a couple less satisfied reviews are to be expected, no one is perfect. However, when you find one or two reviews that are extremely negative while the others are satisfactory you can conclude that the customer was unhappy for reasons other than service. The best approach is to balance the positive and negative reviews for a better overall picture of the service provided.
Make sure the phone number provided is a local number, if it isn’t the business isn’t either. For this reason, also check the physical address of the business to make sure it is within the same general area you are in.
Verify the Locksmith when they Arrive
When the locksmith arrives to provide service, ask to see their ALOA membership card and identification. The ALOA is the Associated Locksmiths of America and is the trade organization for locksmiths and other security professionals. The organization represents locksmiths in the United States, Canada, as well as other countries around the world, and conducts professional proficiency certifications for all of its members.
If the locksmith can produce an ALOA membership card you are assured they are a certified professional locksmith in good standing with the largest such association in North America.
Service Documentation
Make sure you get a written estimate, on company letterhead, which will include labor, parts, mileage, and any other fees required to complete the job. When paying for the service performed, always request a receipt. A reputable locksmith will provide both of these documents as standard practice without you needing to request them.
In Conclusion
Most Locksmiths are professional and reputable. Unfortunately, as with any business, there are always a couple of bad apples in the bunch that consider making money by any means possible more important than performing quality service. With some diligence, you will be able to navigate around the sharks and find a professional locksmith to provide the services you require.
Michael D. Turashoff 