What do you do when you’ve been locked out of your home or car? Quite a frustrating situation, isn’t it? Millions of people around the world make at least one desperate call to a locksmith’s emergency customer support number. A glance at Google’s local locksmith listings and you assume all of the mentioned names are genuine and reliable.
Unfortunately, that’s not always the case. There are several scammers out there trying to con you for your money. Thus, knowing how to identify them from afar is paramount. For your help, here are a few tips to prevent being scammed next time you contact a locksmith.
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Fіnd an Authentic “Local” Locksmith
The first step to saving yourself from any locksmith scams is to ensure the locksmith is authentic. And, how do you do that? The best way is to research their company beforehand. Contact them and inquire by asking detailed questions along with checking their website for any online reviews, feedback, or ratings.
Apart from this, look for signage with a company logo and branded vans. Check if the workers are wearing uniforms with ID. All this constitutes professionalism. Often, unlicensed or fake locksmiths come in unmarked cars without any proper uniforms or ID.
Furthermore, search online for the address for locksmiths with a “local” address to confirm if the company is using the same address or not. When on call, ask to verify the location. If they are operating out of a mobile locksmith van, they will be able to give you the precise location. You can cross-check it by doing a quick search on google maps to ensure its authenticity.
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Aѕk Fоr a Quote
When you contact a locksmith company, don’t be reluctant and ask for an estimated quote directly. If a different quote list is present on their website, know that it’s a red flag. An honest professional will be willing to respond to all your inquiries while a scammer may sound hesitant and get irritated with too many questions while forcing you to avail of the services.
Moreover, beware of quotes that are too low compared to others in the market. Scammers normally charge less by showing low prices on the websites to attract customers but increase the cost on arrival claiming that the job is highly complex and thus shall cost more. Keep in mind that a locksmith’s charges should pay for the tools, uniforms, license fees, continuing education, petrol, and transportation to and from the job. So, any locksmith claiming to provide its services at just $10, know what to do.
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Don’t let them drill your lock
Yes, you heard it right. If a locksmith keeps insisting on drilling or getting the lock replaced, there is a high probability that he must be conning you.
A professional, genuine locksmith who has mastered his craft will possess the right knowledge and tools to fix the issue without having to drill or replace the entire lock. Drilling a lock is only required when dealing with high-security or commercial locks.
Therefore, when such a big responsibility is given to a scammer about which he does not know, he may replace the drilled lock with a low-quality, cheap lock and charge much higher than expected.
ALSO READ: Smart Key or Standard Key – Which is Best for Your Car?
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Inquire About Their Credibility
To prove the credibility of the chosen locksmith, always keep a handful of questions ready to ask over the phone as well as in person. Some major questions include:
- Where is the location of your company?
- What is the name of the worker that will be providing the service?
- What is the approximate time the service will take?
- Can you offer an estimated cost that will be incurred? And what factors may cause it to fluctuate?
- Do you accept credit cards as a form of payment?
These are some of the many questions you can ask the locksmith to ensure they are legitimate. Asking such questions will also prove that the locksmiths are well-aware of the area of your specific residential or commercial needs.
Conclusion
Locksmith scams are very common because people are neither well aware nor well prepared. Hence, the aforementioned tips can help you identify fraudsters quicker so you and your property are safe from any harm.
Unfortunately, the process of looking for, selecting, and accessing an authentic locksmith can be stressful. Therefore, you need to contact Fast Response Locksmith in Atlanta since they are the best in town. With over a decade of experience in the industry, Fast Response Locksmith is an expert when it comes to residential and commercial locksmith services. So, in case you’ve got a lock problem you know who to contact!
