BEWARE OF SCAM ARTISTS! - VIDEOS BELOW, PLEASE WATCH!
WARNING! Scam artists posing as locksmiths are popping up nationwide at an alarming rate. In the locksmith business we simply refer to them as "Scammers". These scammers are NOT locksmiths, they are con artists. They have no formal training, no credentials, and they destroy locks that could have otherwise been opened or serviced. On top of that they use bait and switch tactics to take advantage of people when they are vulnerable and seeking help.
WARNING! Scam artists posing as locksmiths are popping up nationwide at an alarming rate. In the locksmith business we simply refer to them as "Scammers". These scammers are NOT locksmiths, they are con artists. They have no formal training, no credentials, and they destroy locks that could have otherwise been opened or serviced. On top of that they use bait and switch tactics to take advantage of people when they are vulnerable and seeking help.
These large con companies are ran from call centers all over the United States. They purchase and place advertisements under thousands of alias company names and buy thousands of fake reviews for these companies claiming to provide services "in your area". The websites for these companies are often carbon copies of one another and are full of stock text and images. Their advertisements and websites intentionally show unrealistically low prices to draw you in.
These large con companies are ran from call centers all over the United States. They purchase and place advertisements under thousands of alias company names and buy thousands of fake reviews for these companies claiming to provide services "in your area". The websites for these companies are often carbon copies of one another and are full of stock text and images. Their advertisements and websites intentionally show unrealistically low prices to draw you in.
Now that the bait it set, how do people fall into the trap? When someone is in a bind and needs a locksmith quick they often turn to searching google. Through the use of deceptive advertising tactics and the listing of fake reviews many of these scammer companies will show up in the top results of a search. To date google has done nothing to help combat this. The victim (customer) will often unknowingly end up finding and calling one of these companies. The customer is lead to believe they are reaching someone at a local locksmith company when in reality they are routed to one of the aforementioned call centers. During the call the customer is quoted a price that seems like a great deal.
Now that the bait it set, how do people fall into the trap? When someone is in a bind and needs a locksmith quick they often turn to searching google. Through the use of deceptive advertising tactics and the listing of fake reviews many of these scammer companies will show up in the top results of a search. To date google has done nothing to help combat this. The victim (customer) will often unknowingly end up finding and calling one of these companies. The customer is lead to believe they are reaching someone at a local locksmith company when in reality they are routed to one of the aforementioned call centers. During the call the customer is quoted a price that seems like a great deal.
The call center then dispatches the nearest subcontractor to your location. The scammers are instructed by the parent con company to lie, deceive, and rip off the customer in order to turn a profit. They are instructed to say things like "This is a commercial lock, it can't be picked" or "This lock can only be drilled". It's important to note that these subcontractors don't get paid much by the parent company so they rely on overcharging to gain commission for their own survival. After drilling the customers lock they will then sell them a replacement lock of typical hardware store quality at up to 5x what it's worth. Before you know it, your locks and possibly even your door are destroyed and you are handed a bill totaling up to 7x what a legitimate locksmith would have charged you.
The call center then dispatches the nearest subcontractor to your location. The scammers are instructed by the parent con company to lie, deceive, and rip off the customer in order to turn a profit. They are instructed to say things like "This is a commercial lock, it can't be picked" or "This lock can only be drilled". It's important to note that these subcontractors don't get paid much by the parent company so they rely on overcharging to gain commission for their own survival. After drilling the customers lock they will then sell them a replacement lock of typical hardware store quality at up to 5x what it's worth. Before you know it, your locks and possibly even your door are destroyed and you are handed a bill totaling up to 7x what a legitimate locksmith would have charged you.
Please don't fall for it! Protect yourself from these bait and switch scam artists! Below are several of our recommendations followed by several videos provided by undercover investigative journalists that show case this scam in action.
Please don't fall for it! Protect yourself from these bait and switch scam artists! Below are several of our recommendations followed by several videos provided by undercover investigative journalists that show case this scam in action.
1. Most importantly, protect yourself from falling into their trap by knowing who you're going to call before an emergency arises. Have the contact information of multiple legitimate locksmiths saved in your phone. Many people wait until an emergency to find a locksmith and that's when they get caught in this scam. We recommend having more than one locksmith's info saved because many locksmiths after hours availability varies as do their prices.
1. Most importantly, protect yourself from falling into their trap by knowing who you're going to call before an emergency arises. Have the contact information of multiple legitimate locksmiths saved in your phone. Many people wait until an emergency to find a locksmith and that's when they get caught in this scam. We recommend having more than one locksmith's info saved because many locksmiths after hours availability varies as do their prices.
2. Request an estimate upon initial phone contact and before the locksmith arrives. Baring any unforeseen circumstances, any legitimate locksmith should be able to gather the proper information from the caller (often via asking specific questions or requesting pictures) in order to provide a quote. Once the locksmith arrives and surveys the necessary work for themselves again reaffirm the final price with them before they begin working. As tempting as they are, don't fall for low ball estimates such as "$15 to come to the location and a service fee of $45 and up". These prices are extremely unrealistic and act as a ploy to draw you in so the price can be unfairly raised later on.
2. Request an estimate upon initial phone contact and before the locksmith arrives. Baring any unforeseen circumstances, any legitimate locksmith should be able to gather the proper information from the caller (often via asking specific questions or requesting pictures) in order to provide a quote. Once the locksmith arrives and surveys the necessary work for themselves again reaffirm the final price with them before they begin working. As tempting as they are, don't fall for low ball estimates such as "$15 to come to the location and a service fee of $45 and up". These prices are extremely unrealistic and act as a ploy to draw you in so the price can be unfairly raised later on.
3. When the locksmith arrives politely ask to see his or her locksmith credentials. Often these credentials are presented in the form of a locksmith license or trade association/certification ID card. Many locksmith professionals will also wear a uniform or some other type of clothing indicating the specific company they work for. Locksmith service vehicles are often also marked with a specific company name. The company name on the uniform, vehicle, and invoice should match the name of the company you originally called. A person that arrives to your location who can't produce any valid documentation to prove they are a locksmith and has an unprofessional appearance is a tell tale sign of a scam artist. Firmly tell them that you no longer need their services and call 911 if they refuse to leave or threaten your safety in any way.
3. When the locksmith arrives politely ask to see his or her locksmith credentials. Often these credentials are presented in the form of a locksmith license or trade association/certification ID card. Many locksmith professionals will also wear a uniform or some other type of clothing indicating the specific company they work for. Locksmith service vehicles are often also marked with a specific company name. The company name on the uniform, vehicle, and invoice should match the name of the company you originally called. A person that arrives to your location who can't produce any valid documentation to prove they are a locksmith and has an unprofessional appearance is a tell tale sign of a scam artist. Firmly tell them that you no longer need their services and call 911 if they refuse to leave or threaten your safety in any way.
4. In most cases legitimate locksmiths will not default to brute force destruction and drilling as a mean of entry. Legitimate locksmiths will have multiple means of attempting to gain entry before grabbing for the drill (lock picking and other bypass methods). It's worth noting that some high security locks can not reasonably be picked on the spot such as Medeco, Mul-T-Lock, Primus, ASSA, etc. You would likely be aware prior to the presence of one of these high security locks and explain this to the locksmith when you originally call.
4. In most cases legitimate locksmiths will not default to brute force destruction and drilling as a mean of entry. Legitimate locksmiths will have multiple means of attempting to gain entry before grabbing for the drill (lock picking and other bypass methods). It's worth noting that some high security locks can not reasonably be picked on the spot such as Medeco, Mul-T-Lock, Primus, ASSA, etc. You would likely be aware prior to the presence of one of these high security locks and explain this to the locksmith when you originally call.
Federal Trade Commission Issued Warnings
FTC Urges Consumer Use Caution Seeking Locksmiths
FTC On Finding a Locksmith
Federal Trade Commission Issued Warnings
FTC Urges Consumer Use Caution Seeking Locksmiths
FTC On Finding a Locksmith