Getting locked out of your car or home can be extremely stressful. When this occurs, you need a locksmith who can assist you in getting back inside. You may quickly search the internet for a locksmith and choose the first link you click. This can result in locksmith scams, which are extremely common in the industry.
Locksmith scams take advantage of drivers and residents who need to have an emergency. Common emergencies include car lockouts, building lockouts, and car key replacements. You shouldn’t become a victim of a locksmith scam. Instead, you need to know what to look for when doing your research. By learning signs of scams, you can easily protect yourself from losing precious time and money.
Research
Even if you are in an emergency, you can perform some quick research to avoid any potential locksmith scams. When coming across a locksmith you like, look at their reviews on Google and Yelp. See what others think of their services. Make sure the reviews are recent and positive.
Take a few minutes to read through a few reviews about the business. What are others saying about the business? Make sure the reviewers have profile pictures, and they aren’t all faceless. On Google, you can also click on the reviewer’s username and see what other places they have reviewed. Fake reviewers typically do not have other reviews, making sure they have more than one at other businesses to know the reviews are verifiable.
Verify the License
In the state of California, including many other states, locksmiths offer required to carry a specialized license to carry out business. When contacting the locksmith, ask them for their license number. If they are hesitant to provide you the number, they likely don’t have one.
Companies that proudly display their locksmith license on their site are professionals. You can verify their license by visiting California’s Department of Consumer Affairs (CDA) Licensing Search tool. There, you can search locksmiths by their license number, license type, or business name. Weed out locksmith scams with quick license verification.
Clear Association
A reputable technician will have a properly marked vehicle, uniform, or identity representing the locksmith company they work for. Technicians should arrive on-site with a marked vehicle with the company’s decals. A uniform or shirt representing the company should also be worn, but not always.
In general, your locksmith technician should have a clear association with the company you contacted. If the technician fails to represent their company clearly, turn them away. Don’t take the risk of becoming a victim of locksmith scams.
Solving Your Problem
Locksmith scams typically don’t have the necessary tools and knowledge to perform the job you want. For example, you have locked your keys inside your home. The technician may say he needs to drill through your lock to unlock the door. This is a scam technique and should be avoided at all costs.
A proper locksmith technician will use specific tools to unlock the door without damaging the lock or the door. Suppose your locksmith suggests drilling through the lock, decline. Look for a new locksmith to solve your problem that will not damage your property.
Avoid Locksmith Scams
If you need a professional and reputable locksmith in the Greater San Diego area, give Pro Locksmith a call. We have several great reviews on Google, and our license number is located on our site’s homepage. To learn more about our services or business, give us a call at (619) 728-9862 or visit our contact us page to fill out the form. Our team will provide the locksmith services you need in a time of need.
