Tips on Avoiding Locksmith Scams

Although there are a lot of well-known and trustworthy locksmith companies out there offering all kinds of quality and affordable locksmith services (such as Locksmith San Diego), there is no denying the fact that loads of locksmith scammers still exist—to filch money from under unsuspecting customers’ noses and get away using their deceptive schemes.

Knowledge is Power!

Don’t be a victim of one of them and arm yourself with knowledge!
Read on to find out how to weed out scammers from real companies offering locksmith services.

Unusually low service price? You better suspect

If you find any locksmith company advertising an unusually low service price on the Internet, they are probably not a legitimate locksmith company.We can even go so far to tell you not to trust any company that advertises service prices (as these particulars are usually discussed over the phone). Unusually cheap service prices, such as those promising $9-15 rates, are bogus and deceptive. Companies doing this are highly likely to charge their customer with sometimes ten times the promised price, especially during the case of emergencies and the customer has no choice but to pay the full price. If you’re not aware of trends among locksmith companies, the average locksmith service (including, taxes, service, travel, and insurance charges) costs about $100.

Before calling a locksmith company, do some research

Googling details about a company, like their real address and location, their official website, and feedback from customers such as reviews and ratings, goes a long way. If you find anything out of place in these companies’ websites, they are most probably fake.

Ask for an estimate

Ask for a written estimate during your initial call with the company and ask for it again after the service has been completed.This prevents unnecessary hidden taxes or fees from being added to your bill, and are usually the main reasons why customers’ bills skyrocket unnoticed.

They don’t accept Credit Cards? Bad sign

If a company insists on only accepting cash, do not enlist their services and look for another company instead.Companies who don’t accept credit cards are most likely unlicensed or unregistered—don’t fall trap to them! Even if you plan on paying with cash, ask them still if they accept credit cards (most customers do this over the phone).

Ask for identification

When the locksmiths arrive, promptly ask for identification, certifications and/or licenses.Observe their behavior. Are they acting professionally or are exhibiting some weird behavior? Are they wearing the proper uniform with their company’s logo or name on it? Do they have tools that are specialized and cannot be found in most households? Does the vehicle they’re using come with a license plate?
Ask yourself these questions first before proceeding.

If it’s not fixed don’t brake it…

If they insist on breaking your doorknob, lock, or door to get inside your house, they are most likely not professional locksmiths.
Professional locksmiths know how to pick locks and commonly use highly specialized equipment to unlock doors without causing any damage. If a locksmith decides to use the drill first, he or she is probably a potential scammer.