Tips To Avoid Locksmith Scams

Do you know that there are many fraudulent locksmiths on the market today? Therefore, it is imperative that you take the necessary precautions to keep them away.

If you ever experienced a home or car lockout situation, you understand the panic, annoyance, and irritation that you have faced while trying to find a way in. In such frantic situations, people often hire fraudulent locksmiths who further worsen their situation and rob them of their money by performing a shoddy job or cheating them.

They may quote you a very low price and then skyrocket the payment after they have conducted the task. Because many people have been scammed because of fake locksmiths, it is imperative that you practice caution when you are stuck in an emergency. To help you out and give you serious recommendations on how to choose the best locksmith during a lockout situation, we have listed some tips so that you remain vigilant at all times:

Verify Their Credentials and Go Through Their Reviews

Before you hire any locksmith, make sure that they are legal and run an ethical business. In general, fraudulent locksmiths will never advertise their physical address. This is mainly because they don’t want to come into contact with people they have already scammed. If you realize that the locksmith hasn’t listed any proper address, you should definitely skip it and look for another locksmith company to work with. 

One of the easiest and best ways to verify the authenticity of any business is by checking their reviews on the internet. If you find that the locksmith business you are considering for your work has many bad reviews, negative ratings, and unsatisfied clients, think twice. Having a dozen negative reviews is a clear sign that the business is not verified and fraud.

Research the Reputable Locksmiths Beforehand

The best advice is to do research on the verified and authentic locksmiths in advance so that you can contact them whenever you need their services anytime in the future. You can check with your friends and relatives if they have taken the help of reputable locksmiths and were satisfied with their services. 

Alternatively, you can always research online and make a note of their addresses and phone numbers. You can also make a genuine call to them and inquire about the services they offer to their clients. This way you can rest assured that you have the contact of locksmiths who are genuine, trustworthy and hold proper certifications.

Inquire About Additional Locksmith Charges and Confirm the Estimates

The majority of scams occur in a way in which the locksmith will offer a very low price and after the services are done, they pressurize their clients to pay more. The best way to deal with these scams is to check with them on the phone if there are any other extra charges that you might have to pay. If they are genuine, they will give you a straightaway answer so that you can make up your mind of hiring them or not.

When a locksmith has arrived at the destination, let them examine your problem and then ask them for an actual estimate and get it in writing. This will work as evidence if they demand an unbelievable payment after the job is done. It is better to be safe than sorry, so always be strict when you are dealing with locksmiths or any other service people.

After the work has been completed, compare the estimate and the actual cost. If the difference is huge, get in touch with their main office for an explanation.

Check the Vehicles of Locksmiths

Locksmiths that belong to a reputable business always arrive in a marked vehicle and the business advertised on the vehicle is the same as the one you have hired. If you find that a locksmith has arrived in a suspicious and unmarked vehicle, then be aware. There are several fraudulent locksmiths that claim to be a part of the business when in truth they are not. Reputable locksmiths will have marked vehicles for their locksmiths.

Pay Only When You Are Satisfied With the Job

Don’t fall prey to their bizarre claims. If a locksmith states that they need to break your door or shatter your window in order to pick a lock, don’t fall into their trap. These are simple tricks to scam you of your money. If you are not contented with the task that has been performed and you find that they have damaged your door or made a scratch on your vehicle during the job, don’t pay them immediately. Ensure the task is legit. Check the locks once the locksmiths have finished working on them. You should be able to use the lock impeccably without any glitches. Once you are happy with the task and find that your locks are working smoothly as before, pay them. Get in touch with their company's main office and give your feedback so that they pay more attention to your job and get it done as perfectly as you have expected.

Pay with a Credit Card if Possible

In most cases, fraudulent locksmiths will pressure their clients into paying them in cash instead of with a card because it is tough to get back your cash compared to online banking transactions. Make sure you pay them by card if possible so that if the need arises, you can demand your payment back. These are some of the tried and tested tips that you must follow in order to remain safe from fraudulent locksmiths. However, if you still get cheated, don’t suffer in silence. Get up and call the helpline to report them.

If you are looking for reliable and trustworthy locksmiths, call LocksmithPros today! Our expert locksmiths handle all types of residential, commercial and automotive security issues.