If you’ve ever been given a key for a housing property or a business, you’ve probably seen a key stamped with the words “Do Not Duplicate.” These keys imply that duplicating them is illegal, which helps to deter some people from duplicating the key when they are not supposed to.
However, a large majority of those keys are actually capable of being copied legally. This is because most of the Do Not Duplicate (DND) keys are considered “unrestricted” keys, meaning they are just like all other keys. While you may find a locksmith in Fairfax, VA who will not duplicate a DND key, many will without asking questions, making them a less secure option.
There is another type of DND key that is actually illegal to duplicate. These keys are called “restricted” keys and provide a much higher level of security for your home or business. Unfortunately, this also means that getting copies of your restricted keys is more difficult, even if you are the owner of the key.
What is a restricted key?
Restricted keys are often patent-protected and created by a specific manufacturer using specialized equipment. This makes duplicating the restricted key very difficult, if not completely impossible, if you are not working with the original locksmith in Fairfax, VA. If you attempt to have a locksmith duplicate your restricted key, but they are not the original manufacturer of the key, they will likely turn you away.
The reason for this is twofold. First, without the required equipment, a new locksmith who is unfamiliar with the process will simply not be able to produce a working key. Second, it is illegal to infringe on patent-protected keys, so locksmiths won’t copy them for fear of potential legal and financial repercussions.
How to duplicate a restricted key
If you need to duplicate a restricted key, you’ll need to receive permission from the owner or provide proper documentation that you are the owner of the keys. You’ll need to take this permission to the original locksmith, or to a dealer that has been authorized to duplicate this key type by the original locksmith. There, your locksmith will require specific sets of information, including your formal permission for duplication, the number of requested copies and more, before producing copies and making a record of the duplication.
This may seem like a hassle, but the extended duplication process is necessary in order to preserve the high level of security restricted keys provide. If the keys were easy to reproduce, your home or business would not remain very secure.
Work with a reliable mobile locksmith in Fairfax, VA for your lock and key needs
Are you in need of locksmith services for your home or business? Artie’s Lock and Key is your go-to locksmith in Fairfax, VA for full-service residential, commercial and automotive locksmith services. Visit us for rekeying, lockouts, lock installation and repair and access control systems. We’d be happy to help you promptly and provide our services with the ultimate level of care. Reach out today to learn more!
Dealing with a home break-in can be a difficult and scary experience. Whether you were at home when an intruder came onto your property or you returned home to find that a break-in had occurred, it can be unsettling to find that a thief managed to gain entry to your home. There’s no way to completely prevent break-ins from happening, regardless of how many safety measures you take, but there are certainly steps you can take to protect your home, such as by installing a security lock in Fairfax, VA. In some cases, homeowners may be unknowingly making their homes more attractive to potential thieves. Make sure you know what you might be doing to unwittingly increase your risk of a break-in so that you can best protect your home:
- Leaving doors and windows open: You might like getting a breeze in your house from open doors and windows, but thieves will see this as the perfect opportunity to get into your home. You should keep doors and windows closed, especially when you’re not home, and use latches on your windows to keep them secure. Lots of thieves gain entry into homes by climbing through windows or simply walking through an unlocked door. Thieves often target homes where they know windows are typically opened and doors are left unlocked.
- Not using your neighbors as a resource: Getting to know your neighbors can really pay off when it comes to keeping your home safe. When you isolate yourself from your neighbors, you won’t be able to rely on them to check up on your home when you’re out of town or call you if something seems suspicious. Do yourself a favor and make a connection with your neighbors so that they can serve as a resource to help protect your home.
- Being conspicuous about big purchases: You might be really excited about a new television, appliance or electronic device, but announcing these purchases can also attract thieves to your home. Hide packaging to new devices at the bottom of your waste bins and break down boxes rather than leaving them on the curbside as a form of outdoor advertisement.
- Neglecting to switch out old locks: If you have an older home, chances are, your locks could use an upgrade. These old locks tend to be easy for intruders to pick. Replacing old, worn-out locks with an updated security lock in Fairfax, VA can significantly increase the safety of your home and may deter intruders from targeting your property.
When you get service from Artie’s Lock and Key, you can feel confident that you are protecting your home from intruders. We offer a range of services and products to help you with everything from lockouts to security measures. We can help you install a security lock in Fairfax, VA that helps safeguard your home from unauthorized entry. We’ve been serving the community since 1975, and we’re proud of our reputation for quality work and friendly service. Give us a call today to find out more or to request an appointment.
Whether you misplaced the key to your home or you locked your car keys in your vehicle, there may come a time when you need to call on the help of a mobile locksmith in Fairfax, VA. While there are many reputable locksmiths out there, there are an unfortunate number of people who use locksmithing as a front for a scam. These people will often ask for hundreds of dollars in exchange for picking your lock or replacing your lock entirely. Scammers make money by over-charging and being deceptive about their practices. It’s important that you are aware of these scams so that you can find a reputable locksmith in your area.
What a scam looks like
So, how does a locksmith scam usually play out? First, you’ll find the phone number for a mobile locksmith online. When you call, you will usually be greeted with a generic phrase like “locksmithing services” rather than an actual business name. Next, they will dispatch a locksmith to you, who will arrive in an unmarked van or vehicle. They will try to pick your lock but insist, falsely, that it’s impossible, and claim that you have to replace the lock entirely. They will charge you upwards of $1,000 for the installation of your new lock and require that you pay in cash. In many cases, you will have to replace the lock again because of the poor quality of the installation work.
Here are some major red flags to watch out for:
- 800 numbers: In most cases, you can rule out locksmiths with 800 numbers right off the bat. Most of these locksmiths are not legitimate and could be trying to scam you.
- Unmarked vans: Businesses that are proud of their reputation and want to generate buzz in the community will drive vehicles that clearly display their logo and contact information. Unmarked vehicles and vans are a clear red flag and indicate that the locksmith has something to hide or is trying to fly under the radar.
- Vague estimates: A trusted locksmith will give you a quote for services up front. If a locksmith seems to be avoiding quoting an exact price, or even giving you a ballpark estimate, move on to a different mobile locksmith in Fairfax, VA.
- Insistence on replacement: If your locksmith tells you that they can’t pick your lock and they have to replace it, they are likely being dishonest with you. A good locksmith usually has the skills and equipment necessary to crack even the most challenging locks. In many cases, a locksmith who claims that a lock can’t be picked is simply trying to get you to pay for a costly lock replacement and installation.
At Artie’s Lock and Key, we want to make sure that our customers don’t fall prey to a locksmithing scam. That’s why we are dedicated to offering reputable service that our clients can rely on, regardless of what they need. We’ve been developing a reputation within the community for over 40 years, and we continue to be committed to delivering consistent service at fair rates that won’t break the bank.
Thieves’ favorite thing to see when they are looking to get into a house is sliding doors. An experienced burglar can break into a home in around a minute. Sliding doors can be a weakness in home security, usually because they are often left unsecured and aren’t easily reinforced to begin with. Here are some of the reasons sliding glass doors are so weak:
- Simple latches: Some people don’t bother to lock or securely close their sliding doors. This makes them very attractive to burglars. And even if you do remember to lock them, most sliding doors have simple latches. Some burglars can easily get in, just by jiggling and jostling the lock. One way to fix this issue is to install a heavy-duty lock. Businesses like Artie’s Lock and Key can install a sliding door lock in Fairfax, VA. This will stop a burglar from simply opening the door by jiggling it.
- Not in view: Most sliding glass doors are concealed from prying eyes. This can be a problem if a burglar hopes to use it to get in. Their location means less of a chance for you or someone else to spot the suspicious person and call the police. Having an alarm on the door can quickly alert you if someone is trying to get in. It won’t replace a sliding door lock in Fairfax, VA, but it can scare away the burglar or give you enough time to call the cops.
- Window into the home: While the sliding glass door can be a nice window to the outside, it’s also a window to the inside of your home. Any burglars can see what’s in your home, giving them an idea of what to quickly grab and get out with. Blinds, drapes or shades can block burglars’ view, stopping them from easily surveying your home for valuables. You can also use a privacy film that will obscure specific details. It will still let in light without requiring you to fiddle with blinds, while preventing anyone from the outside getting a good look inside your home.
- Easily broken: Design-wise, sliding doors can be wonderful. They add a nice view and can brighten a room up. They also come with some weaknesses. They’re not nearly as sturdy or secure as a normal door. Anyone who really wants to get in can break the glass panels or push the door off the tracks. It can be something easy to pull off, especially compared to a wooden or steel door. Placing a wooden dowel in the track of a sliding door can provide a much-needed sense of security.
Protecting your home is an important part of being a homeowner. If you have a sliding glass door, that may mean calling Artie’s Lock and Key to install a sliding door lock. Our professional locksmiths in Fairfax, VA are up for any job and are more than happy to help you secure your home. We are fully equipped to make you feel safe inside your house. Give us a call to schedule an appointment for repair or installation.
Sometimes you make a mistake or forget about something, and if that’s your car keys late at night, that can be a problem. While you wait for auto locksmiths in Fairfax, VA to help you out, you’ll want to keep safe during that time. Fortunately, there are a number of ways you can protect yourself and stay out of harm’s way:
- Find a phone: First things first—you’ll want to find a phone to make some calls. For most people, that means using their cellphone. However, if you’ve locked your phone in your car as well, you’ll want to find one as soon as possible. That may mean going back to your place of work or whichever establishment you just left and asking to use the phone. At this point, you’ll want to call a mobile locksmith in Fairfax, VA, like Artie’s Lock and Key, to come unlock your car. You may also want to call a friend or family member to come pick you up, or just to come by to make sure you’re safe and wait with you.
- When to call 911: Calling 911 should be a last resort, and simply locking your keys in your car doesn’t warrant that call. However, one time to call 911 in a lockout situation is if you lock young children in the car with your keys. In this case, the child’s safety could be at stake, especially on a hot summer day.
- Don’t break anything: One thing not to do is panic. You don’t want to lose your cool in this situation. In most cases, you don’t want to break a window to get into your car. That leads to another set of problems, including having to get the window fixed. There’s also the fact that there will be a broken window on your car, which is an open invitation for vandals to get into your car and for vermin to make your car their home. In most cases you’ll just want to wait in a safe place for a mobile locksmith in Fairfax, VA to arrive.
- Be aware: Find a safe place to wait for an auto locksmith in Fairfax, VA. It doesn’t have to be in view of your car. You can ask the locksmith to give you a call when they’re about to arrive. This will allow you to wait somewhere you feel safe that may not be near the car. You also don’t want to accept rides from strangers. While most people have good intentions, some people may not. Getting a ride home doesn’t help if you’re supposed to be waiting for a locksmith.
Locking yourself out of your car doesn’t have to be a catastrophe. If you stay calm and cool, everything will be alright. Artie’s Lock and Key is a reliable and fast mobile locksmith in Fairfax, VA. We’ve been in business for more than 40 years, providing helpful service throughout the region. Our professional locksmiths can handle any job and are more than happy to help out if you lock yourself out of your car. Get in touch as soon as you need us!
