How do I avoid locksmith scams? How do I recognize locksmith scams? These are some common questions people ask after a locksmith has scammed them. Many people are searching for this information online, indicating that locksmith scams are becoming more and more common. Here are some of the tips on how you can spot and avoid locksmith scams.
1. Check Locksmith Identification
You don’t want to let any random person into your home or office. When you call a locksmith, ensure they can provide you with some form of identification. A legitimate locksmith will have no problem providing you with their license number or another identification form. If the locksmith is hesitant to provide you with their identification, it is best to find someone else.
2. Get an Estimate Before Work Begins
A legitimate locksmith will be more than happy to estimate the work that needs to be done and the cost involved. If the locksmith refuses to give you an estimate or tries to get you to commit to a price before they start working, it is best to find someone else. Getting an estimate before work begins ensures that you will not be surprised by a huge bill at the end.
3. Beware of Unusually Low Prices
If a locksmith quotes you at a price significantly lower than the other locksmiths in the area, then it is best to be wary. This could signify that the locksmith is not legitimate and is trying to scam you. Always go with a locksmith you feel you can trust and who has a good reputation. Some scammers tend to have lower prices, which is a sure way of attracting clients.
4. Check for Reviews
One of the best ways to avoid being scammed by a locksmith is to check for reviews online. There are many sites where you can read reviews from other customers to give you an idea of the quality of work that the locksmith is capable of and whether they are trustworthy. Ensure you get the correct locksmith by checking for reviews, which will help you avoid scams.
5. Beware of Hidden Fees
Some locksmiths will try to charge you hidden fees for their services. Make sure that you are clear on the price before the work begins and that there are no hidden fees. A legitimate locksmith will be upfront and honest about their pricing. Sometimes, the locksmith charges extra for things like after-hours or emergency service.
6. Get Everything in Writing
Once you have found a locksmith you feel you can trust, it is important to get everything in writing. This includes the work’s price, the estimated completion time, and other relevant information to protect you in case there are any misunderstandings down the road. You will not get surprises later if everything is laid out in the contract.
Conclusion
These are just some of the tips on how to spot and avoid locksmith scams. Always remember to be cautious when letting strangers into your home or office. If you are ever in doubt, it is always best to avoid caution and find someone else. A little research can go a long way in avoiding these types of scams. Contact Artie’s Lock and Key if you need qualified locksmith services.
When you’ve lost or broken your keys, you can easily get confused and make hasty decisions. One of the decisions you can make is hiring a locksmith without taking some precautions. Unfortunately, many people end up in the hands of scammers in the name of locksmiths. Probably you are reading this after asking yourself, “Did I just fall for a locksmith scam?” Below are some of the locksmith scams you need to be aware of.
Cash Only Scam
If a locksmith insists that you can only pay them by cash, they might be up to something fishy. It could be that they don’t want you to dispute the payment later after realizing that they did a shoddy job. Paying using cash makes it a bit challenging to trace someone, which is why most illegitimate locksmiths prefer it. Such locksmiths will make excuses like their credit card is not working. Additionally, they might ask for higher prices than what they quoted.
Identity Theft
Some locksmiths will actually come, do a decent job, and leave you satisfied with their work. However, they might do something you rarely think of; stealing your private information. They can use this information for their own uses or give it to a third party.
Fake Websites
Some illegitimate locksmiths create websites and use the names of legitimate locksmiths. These websites look real and even appear on top of search engines. When you contact them, you will get a response from someone not even anywhere near where you live. Actually, a locksmith will come to offer you their services and end up overcharging you or doing a shoddy job. This leaves you frustrated and ruins the reputation of legitimate locksmith businesses.
No Contact After Services
If you can’t contact a locksmith after their services, they are probably scammers. Once such locksmiths finish their work, you might never be able to talk to them again. If you contact the company where you got the locksmith, you might be told that they fired the technician who worked for you.
Low Advertised Prices
Some locksmiths will advertise incredibly low prices for their services. However, they ask for extra money after the work is done. Some may even come up with excuses that something unexpected happened as they tried to unlock your door, just to extort more money from you. That’s why you should be very careful with locksmiths who advertise unreasonably low prices for their services since most of them are on the lookout for unsuspecting people to scam.
Replacement Scam
Some locksmiths will make excuses such as your handle, or another part of the door, is damaged and needs replacement. They end up selling you the replacement part at exaggerated prices. Some say that the lock is a high-security type and can only be drilled. They then suggest that you replace the lock, which they sell to you. The new lock is probably of low quality and expensive. A good and legitimate locksmith is highly skilled, experienced, and can work on any lock without drilling.
What locksmith scams should I be aware of? Hopefully, now you have the answer. There are several legitimate locksmiths, but there are still illegitimate ones. You need to be aware of some of the locksmith scams to avoid falling into the traps of scammers.
Locking yourself out of your home or vehicle is inconvenient at best, and downright panic-inducing at worst. The last thing you want to do is call for a locksmith, only to find out that you’ve been scammed. Here are our best tips to help you avoid common locksmith scams:
- Find a locksmith before you actually need one. You’re not going to be at your best during an emergency, which is why it’s a good idea to find a reputable locksmith when you don’t need one right away. Spending a few moments asking for recommendations or Googling locksmiths will pay off later.
- Check their address: If your locksmith doesn’t have a physical address, that’s a big red flag. It could mean that they’re scammers and don’t want to deal with angry “customers” showing up to ask for their money back.
- Look at their online reviews: Review sites like Yelp and Google allow users to post reviews for businesses. Check a locksmith’s online reviews before you hire them. Look for patterns and recurring themes, good and bad—a few negative outliers may not be red flags if the rest of the reviews seem positive.
- Ask for an estimate: Before you hire the locksmith, ask for an estimate. When the work is done, be sure to compare their quote to the actual estimate. If they vary wildly, find out why before you fork over your credit card.
- Ask about any additional charges: When you’re getting your estimate, be sure to ask if there are any additional charges you should expect. That way, you won’t be surprised if the bill is suddenly a lot higher than you were anticipating.
- Get it in writing: Getting the estimate and charges in writing is important—in case you do end up becoming a scam victim, you’ll have written proof of the transaction.
- Watch their vehicle: When the locksmith arrives, look at their vehicle. Professional locksmiths often advertise their business on their vehicles. If yours doesn’t, that may be a sign that they’re not running a legitimate business.
- Trust your gut: If a locksmith tells you that they’ll have to break a door or window to get in—unless you pay a lot more money for another option—don’t believe them. Approach all similar claims with extreme caution.
- Make sure your keys work: Before they leave, make sure your keys work in the lock. Test them several times before you pay.
- Don’t pay until you’re happy: Finally, if you’re not happy with the service, don’t pay. Contact the company and let them know what the problem is, such as scratching your doors or vehicle, and refuse to pay until they fix it. If you think they might be scamming you, pay with a credit card so you have some financial recourse.
Locked out? Avoid common locksmith scams by trusting qualified professionals to do the job. Get in touch with Artie’s Lock and Key to learn more about our services. Our friendly, reputable locksmiths are standing by to help.
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.
Locksmiths perform sensitive jobs, which means that you should be able to place complete and total trust in the company you are hiring to forge new keys or help you regain access to your home. Too often, disreputable locksmith companies take advantage of clients in need of immediate assistance.
Because locksmiths have the ability to gain access to your home, vehicle and safe, you should only work with locksmith companies that have well-established local track records that can be easily and independently verified. Thankfully, there are a number of ways that you can verify the trustworthiness of the locksmith in Fairfax, VA that you are considering working with.
Here are just some of the ways to avoid locksmith scammers and work with a reputable mobile locksmith in Fairfax, VA:
- Search proactively: The best way to avoid locksmith scams is to develop a relationship with your local locksmith in Fairfax, VA before you need their services! You should proactively look for a locksmith company that meets your needs. Be sure to read through the feedback they’ve received on online review sites, and check their rating with the Better Business Bureau (BBB).
- Look local: You should only work with locksmith companies that are locally owned and operated. If a locksmith is using a phone number with an 800 area code, there’s a solid chance that they’re not legitimate. Additionally, you should look on their website to see where their physical offices are located. If it’s an address that you don’t recognize, be sure to look it up online.
- Check the license: In 15 states and many municipalities, locksmith laws require locksmiths to be licensed. All locksmiths legally operating in Virginia must be licensed. To verify that your mobile locksmith in Fairfax, VA is legitimate, ask to see their license, or ask them to verify its number and date of expiration. If a locksmith isn’t willing to provide you with licensure information, they may not be legitimate.
- Ask for an estimate: You should always ask to see a written estimate before you agree to have any services performed by a locksmith. They should be able to provide you with a document outlining the costs of the service you are receiving. If the locksmith you are working with is unable to provide you with this, they may not be trustworthy.
Since 1975, Artie’s Lock and Key has been the most trusted locksmith in Fairfax, VA. We are proud of our upstanding reputation in the community. We also take a tremendous amount of pride in the veracity of our talented and professional locksmiths. You can rely on us to provide you with high-quality, dependable locksmith services throughout the region.
If you are in need of a mobile locksmith in Fairfax, VA, you should reach out to Artie’s Lock and Key. Our licensed, bonded and insured crew will ensure that you have regained access to your home or vehicle as promptly as possible. We use only the most up-to-date tools and technologies to give you access to your home or business.
