Top 10 tips to avoid Locksmith Scams! | The Scam: USE CAUTION!
Top 10 tips to avoid Locksmith Scams!
How to choose the right locksmith for the job and avoid Locksmith Scams!
The internet can be a wonderful but very dangerous place filled with many cons and scams. So how do we weed out the honest from the lie? What happens if you need to have services rendered for your home, car or business? Where do you look?
Here are some tips and tricks on how to separate the bogus from the reputable.
First, If something sounds too good to be true, it usually is.
The Scam: Use Caution
Have you ever gone online to do a search for a locksmith in your area and the search comes up with something that says “Locksmith 17$ service call”⇐ This is a Locksmith Scam! Don’t fall for this one!
Stressful consumers make impulsive choices. Scammers realize this and try to take advantage of you when you’re in such a vulnerable position. Knowing that you’ll do whatever you have to in order to get back in, they’ll try and bill you for as much as they can. Since they can get their money fast, you’ll often find scammers and crooks in markets with speedy payouts and frantic consumers.
There are many types of locksmith scams. Busting your door or lock for a routine lock-out situation is a typical one. Charging you for the replacement part is a way for them to make more money. As stated, a large number of locksmiths found on the Internet are not local shops. They appear to be local, and will say almost anything to get the job. But really, these locksmith companies are actually private contractors getting business from a call center in a different city, state or even country!
The Web is full of locksmiths promoting fifteen or twenty-two dollar lockout services. Don’t fall for this bait-n-switch technique. To believe a professional locksmith will get you back into your vehicle that inexpensively is unreasonable. Prices for lockout services in Philadelphia (where we are located) usually range from $60 to $120, depending on the locksmith and situation. That’s about what you should expect to pay. However, situations differ and most are very specific so it may be difficult to give a complete price but a roundabout is usually between the numbers above.
So…How to weed out the scams from the honest local professional?
- Be Proactive and do your homework. Get familiar with and choose a Locksmith company BEFORE you need one! Search locally. (Search with zip code or city) Read reviews.
- Give the locksmith of your choice a direct call. Ask where their Home Headquarters store is. Ask multiple questions pertaining to your situation. Get specific.
- Ask for an estimate over the phone. Text or E-mail pictures of your situation when possible.
- Does the technician sound knowledgeable about the situation?
- Ask if there is a SERVICE FEE.
- Ask for a COMPLETE PRICE.
- Mention NO HIDDEN FEES.
- Ask about HOW long it will take to get to your location, WHO is coming, and WHAT kind of vehicle they are driving.
- Ask about licensing, bonding and qualifications.
- Reiterate again, the end and final price. Remember after all, you are calling someone to help when you are in a vulnerable position and need assistance fast.
We hope we were able to shed some light on this scam issue as there are many. Locksmith’s pride themselves on delivering high quality, honest work. But even they must jump through the scamming loop holes and reputations to be able to provide the best service possible. If you feel you were scammed into a service or feel that you were improperly treated by a business please file a complaint with the BBB (Better Business Bureau).
Do you have any questions? Perhaps want to share a story or insight of your own? Please feel free to contact us below! We would LOVE to hear from you! Please follow us on Facebook for the latest updates, sales and promotions!
We may be your last resort, but YOU are our FIRST priority!
This is good to know. It is easy to be scammed when you are stressed.
Hi Tara! Thanks for stopping by! 🙂 You are so right! We are glad you found good info here!
This is such a helpful post! We are looking into buying a new home, so this will be really helpful for the time of changing the locks. I’ll have to keep these all in mind. Thanks for sharing!
Hi Nicole! We are very happy that you found good info here! We are trying to raise awareness because there are really great reputable professionals out there providing great quality work but sometimes even they must bypass the internet scams to provide really good service. 🙂 Good luck on buying your new home!!
Scamming is EVERYWHERE these days – MY GOODNESS! I am thrilled I have never encountered anything like this before, however…. Now I know how to spot a locksmith scam if I ever do need to change the locks!
Hi Gigi! Thank you for stopping by! We are so glad you found good info here! How right you are..it really is unfortunate but scamming IS everywhere! However, there are ways to be better prepared when searching for a professional locksmith!
That’s really pretty scary! I’ve never even thought of that.
Hi!! Thank you for stopping by! Yes, unfortunately this is a reality among professional locksmiths. However, we hope we were able to help the next time you may need a locksmith! 🙂
I’m glad I read this, I have been scammed several times when i got locked out of my car. Gosh they are terrible. Now I know that my insurance covers, which is great.
Hi Claire! We are so sorry to hear about your experience! We hope that if you ever need a locksmith again, that you are happy with your service!! Always great to have a resource that you can count on!
These are great tips! I’ve only used a Locksmith once and luckily it was a legit company. I’m glad I know what to look out for in case I need one again.
Hi Tiffany! Thanks for stopping by! Happy you found great info here..sadly scams are everywhere, but taking the time to find a legitimate company beforehand to provide services definitely makes all the difference when you are in a vulnerable situation!
I have not had to use a locksmith, but would not have thought there were scammers out there. Thank you for so many great tips to avoid that if I needed to use one in the future.
Hi Kelly! Thanks for stopping by!! Yes, unfortunately there really are so many scams pertaining to locksmith services! We wanted to raise awareness so consumers like yourself would feel safe and satisfied with all services provided! Glad you found great tips! 🙂
Sounds like a lot of work. Never knew changing a lock can get so tricky.
Hi Owen, Thank you for stopping by! The lock changing it self is actually the easy and fun part! 😀 The hard part is really just getting a good reputable professional to deliver great service! (As with any service you need, you definitely want to try and ask as many questions as you can to ensure the best service possible) Thank you again! 🙂
Great post. You know I never thought to ever consider the locksmith to run a scam. Thanks for the info. I will be more careful the next time I need to use one.Lis
Hi Lisa! Thanks for stopping by! We are so happy we could help! Sometimes consumers in a panic search the internet for the first thing that comes up, but scammers are waiting for that opportunity. We hope these tips help you the next time you may need a locksmith! 🙂
its helpful for me thanks
Hi Ashu! Thanks for stopping by!! So glad you found great info here! 🙂
great tips! for me hidden fees are the worst! You never locksmith or services alike scheduled so you might feel tight
Thanks for stopping by Lyosha! You are so right! Hidden fees really are terrible and very misleading! We are happy you found great tips here!!:)