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As unfortunate as it may be, the fact is that we are surrounded by dishonest people–and that includes people claiming to be reputable locksmiths. When you are in a position where you are locked out of your home or vehicle, you are a prime target for disreputable individuals who would take advantage of your dilemma by eliciting exorbitant fees. This has become such a problem that the Better Business Bureau said that a ‘nationwide locksmith swindle’ has resulted in thousands of complaints. One way these scammers work is by listing themselves online and in phone books as local locksmiths with fake addresses. When you call one of these, you are connected with a call center that could be anywhere. A good clue that you have reached such a scam is that they answer the phone simply by saying ‘locksmith’ and not otherwise identifying themselves. When such scams are asked for their address, they typically won’t have a quick and concise answer as you would expect from a legitimate local business. Such scams are also generally evasive when it comes to giving direct answers on much of anything. Another common trick from such scammers is to quote you a very low price over the phone–but once their person gets to you, the price skyrockets or they will tell you something like they could unlock your car door for cheap but it would mean breaking the window or the door, but if you pay the new, excessively high price, then they can use the right tool and unlock the door without damage. From drilling locks where it is unnecessary to other damaging practices, these scammers can be a very expensive and frustrating headache.

There are a few basic things to keep in mind when avoiding this flood of scammers that have been preying on our country. It is important to remember that an experienced and capable locksmith generally knows what a job will cost. This is why it is important to get a quote–and if the ‘locksmith’ arrives and wants to charge significantly more than the quote, you know this is a red flag. To avoid legal issues, these scammers will usually tell you the price before beginning work. An experienced locksmith should also be able to pick most locks without damaging them. If the ‘locksmith’ that arrives seems quick to destroy and replace the lock, you know this is also a red flag. One of the best ways to avoid being taken advantage of by these scams is to find a local experienced locksmith like Advanced Lock & Security before you need our services. One of the biggest advantages these scammers have is the unfortunate situation of being locked out where you are more likely to just pay the person and put it all behind you than send them away and try again (with what may be the same scam with a different name and number). Our advice of finding a local locksmith (with a physical address you can visit) is the same that the Better Business Bureau advises. Come by and say hi at our convenient location and put our number in your phone so the next time you need the services of a locksmith, you will be confident in getting an honest, reputable, and skilled locksmith.