Nothing’s worse than realizing you’ve been locked out of your home or that your business doors aren’t properly secured. Having a locksmith you trust in your contacts list is vital. Today scams are common and it’s easy to feel vulnerable when these situations occur.
Here’s how to avoid getting ripped off by scammers posing as reputable locksmiths.
Do Your Research
Unfortunately, thieves are getting smarter today and leveraging technology as a way to fool innocent consumers. They can do things like caller ID spoofing and phone number forwarding so you think you’re calling a local company but the call is rerouted out of state or to a call center in another country. Many are now also creating imposter company names similar to legit businesses in the area in an attempt to trick someone who is in a panicked rush to find a locksmith.
Be sure to check the BBB for credibility and have a company you trust lined up in advance of an issue occurring with your locks. That established relationship will be important to keeping you safe and protecting your wallet from being overcharged.
Be Careful of Low Price Baiting
You may also find yourself questioning if you’ve been had if you choose a locksmith who shows up to do an emergency lock job and hands you an astronomical bill at the end of the service for something that should have been a quick, easy fix. This is another tactic that non-reputable locksmiths are using to prey on those vulnerable and looking to regain access to their home and belongings.
To trap consumers they bait them in with a service listed on their site as being $19 (and up) and then show up to the job and begin up charging and naming fees and services needed for extra security and other false claims ultimately ending in a bill almost 4x the original quote.
Reputable Locksmiths Have Value-Adds
A reputable locksmith such as All American Locksmiths will offer more accurate pricing and quotes for customers. One option that can easily help get a better quote (and that All American Locksmith’s offers) is emailing photos of the actual lock along with a description of the problem they are having.
Companies that plan to use up charging tactics won’t offer this so they can leave room for technicians to give a higher price once they arrive on the scene. With this communication, there’s less room for surprises and you can feel confident in selecting a reputable locksmith company.
We offer prompt lockout services, new locks, and more throughout Connecticut & Westchester County. Get in touch today!
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