6 Tips to Avoid Locksmith Scams

And that is a reality! Emergency lock situations have led some people to fall victim to locksmith scams. Homeowners rush to call the first two or three locksmith businesses on the yellow pages or search engines.

Unfortunately, some addresses in the telephone directory and yellow pages are fake. These online traffic seekers and scammers intend to take advantage of the increasing number of Americans making emergency calls in search of a locksmith.

Therefore, knowing the red flags and how to identify these fraudulent locksmiths is a smart way of being safe. If you have an emergency lock situation and searching for a locksmith near me, here are some tips that will help you land a dependable service provider.

Get a Locksmith in Advance

The best approach to being calm during an emergency is planning ahead of time. Though no one wants to have issues with their locks, it does happen!

Check for locksmiths near you, talk to them and check for their reviews online. That way, you will have the contact info of legitimate locksmiths in your area.

Ask for Recommendation

New homeowners or tenants can ask neighbors for a reliable locksmith in the area. Most times, they (your neighbors) will be willing to share their experiences and also recommend good service providers.

A toll-Free Phone Number is a Red flag

It is rare for a legitimate company to use toll-free numbers and that applies to locksmiths. As a home or business owner, you have to be scared of any company without an official area code. Most times, you’d be dialing an out-of-state number that may redirect your requirements to an amateur or a scam locksmith.

You should also not get comfortable with customer service reps answering with a generic phrase such as "welcome to locksmith services". The person on the other side should mention a particular company name.

Check for Identification

While negotiating, insist the locksmith comes with all documentation including license and certifications. This way, they won’t have any excuse for not presenting their locksmith license. Remember, you are about to allow an unknown person access to your privacy. So you should be sure of their legitimacy.

However, check online if your state is among those requiring locksmith licensing. For the records, here are the states:

Alabama, California, Connecticut, Illinois, Louisiana, Maryland, Nebraska, New Jersey, Nevada, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Oregon, Tennessee, Texas, and Virginia.

In case your state is not included in the above list, you could ask for the Social Security Card, business registration information, tax receipts, etc. Just to be sure you are dealing with a legitimate person.

Business Branding is Important

Be careful while working with locksmith companies having unmarked or unbranded vehicles. Genuine companies operate with branded cars. They will arrive at your location with a van having the company’s logo.

Refuse Lock Drilling

Drilling is a destructible way of opening any lock. That is why an experienced locksmith should have techniques for picking or opening different types of locks. Lock drilling should be the last option and that is applicable for high-security locks.

Need help from a Professional Locksmith?

For lockout issues and other locksmith emergencies, do not hesitate to call experts at A&A Aventura Pro Locksmith. Our mobile locksmiths will arrive at the scene to give you a helping hand. Call us to get FREE estimates and top-quality services.