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12Feb
Locksmith scam is very common these days. The scam victims are often unsuspecting property owners who need immediate lock assistance.
For instance, people that are locked out or misplaced their keys are likely to search online for a nearby locksmith. When going through the search results, they may easily ignore red flags as their minds are focused on getting back into their homes.
To help you spot a locksmith scam, here are some ways scammers try to defraud unsuspecting victims and how to avoid being a victim.
Irresistible Low Quote
Locksmith scammers are aware of every property owner’s desire to save costs. Therefore, they advertise prices below the industry standards. Illegitimate locksmiths offer ridiculously low pricing at first to lure people away from genuine locksmiths. Therefore, when a locksmith Ad is too good to be true, find another locksmith company or professional.
Lack of Full Upfront Estimate
This is the second phase of the scam tactic discussed above. A scam locksmith will add questionable fees to the estimate of the job’s total cost. They might claim the additional charges is for mileage fees, emergency call, and any other sorts of fees, actually to extort money from you. While it can be normal to charge for these items, a scammer might use this as a scheme to make you pay more.
To protect yourself from this type of scam and avoid price surprises, let any locksmith you hire provide a written copy of the estimate before the job starts. This gives you an idea of what you’ll be paying. If the locksmith refuses to provide an upfront estimate, find another locksmith as they might want to scam you.
Vague or Lack of Identification
Established locksmith companies often send out their service professionals in clearly marked uniforms and vehicles. So, when a locksmith arrives, check for those. Also, ask for their identification and business card, making sure details on the business card corresponds with the business name on the invoice.
Unnecessary Lock Drilling
During a lockout assistance service, a scammer might tell you that drilling and replacing your lock is necessary. If any locksmith proposes this idea, don’t allow them to do so. Skilled and experienced locksmiths invest in training, education, and tools that can help them unlock almost any kind of door. Therefore, if any locksmith requests to drill your lock and replace it with a new lock, they actually may want to sell you a new lock so as to make extra few bucks off you. Try to find another person to handle the work.
Wrapping Up
Though locksmith scammers are always looking for unsuspecting victims to rip off or scam, you can stay safe by incorporating all of these tips. But dedicating hours to finding a skilled and legitimate locksmith might not be practical especially when you need urgent assistance. Instead of doing it the hard way, go for an expert locksmith company with an established record of trusted service. This way, you can be assured of getting the right service at the right price.
At Fast Pro Locksmith, we have certified and licensed locksmiths providing swift and expert lock help for auto, home, and business owners. From lockout assistance to lock installation services, we can help. Contact our local representative to discover how we can help you.
