Security & ANTI-SCAM Info
Don't Get Ripped Off!
- Consumer Reports 5/21/2014http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/news/2014/05/don-t-be-scammed-by-a-locksmith/index.htm
Don't be scammed by a locksmith and research
Research carefully before hiring a locksmith for your car or home"You've locked yourself out of your car or your home, so you call a locksmith, perhaps the one you find in a phone book or online. But don't be so quick. In what has been dubbed the locksmith scam, some unscrupulous locksmiths promise low prices by phone and then jack up the cost when they arrive."
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KPHO Phoenix 8/7/12http://www.kpho.com/story/19221033/homeowner-scams-target-valley-residents
"Unlicensed locksmiths have been a problem for years. Some locksmiths will quote you one price on the phone, then demand more money in person to finish the job.
According to experts, the best thing you can do is find a licensed locksmith you trust before you need them. Then you'll have someone to call in an emergency."
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NPR 7/20/11https://www.npr.org/2011/07/20/138480822/when-you-call-a-locksmith-will-a-con-man-answer
"Hard economic times often give rise to swindlers — people hoping to make a quick buck by misleading hapless consumers. It's not easy to catch these con men, who often go door to door. But there's one scam out there that has mobilized an army of angry people. The scam has locksmiths up in arms."
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KGO-TV San Francisco 8/22/07http://abclocal.go.com/kgo/story?section=news/7_on_your_side&id=5595259
"Investigators suspect there may be a link between a Bay Area locksmith and a possible scam that stretches from here to New York. It's a story 7 On Your Side has been investigating for months, and whether there's a connection or not."
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MSNBC.com 7/13/07http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/19714358/ns/business-consumer_news/t/locked-out-dont-fall-locksmith-scam/#.UC1v6z1lSmA
"Most locksmiths are honest. A few are not. According to a new warning from the Better Business Bureau, these untrustworthy locksmiths are 'ripping off consumers' across the country. The BBB says this 'nationwide locksmith swindle' has already resulted in more than a thousand complaints."
Frequently Asked Questions About Security
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How can I tell if I am dealing with an honest locksmith?
Check for state licensing and insurance documents.
Don't just take their word for it—ask to see them! -
Why do you need to rekey when you move in?
It is highly possible that many keys to your home were handed out in preparation for sale. Rekeying an existing lock so that only new keys can open it is a great investment in your peace of mind, knowing you're the only one with the new key. -
What should I do if my key is stuck or broken off in the lock?
The best thing to do is to leave it alone and call a Locksmith, because if you try to get it out by yourself you may damage the cylinder and then it may be more expensive to repair or replace.