Be On Your Guard For The $45 Locksmith Scam!

The locksmith scam is fake businesses listing cheap locksmith services. When they arrive at the job, they overcharge the customer. This scam is generally conducted outside regular business hours, i.e. when someone might have locked themselves out of a vehicle. You can read more about the locksmith scam https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Locksmith_scam

Locksmith Scammers vs Licensed Locksmiths

What is a locksmith scammer, how do they work and how to avoid them? 

Locksmith scammers are individuals or companies that engage in fraudulent or deceptive practices in the locksmith industry. They often take advantage of vulnerable or desperate situations, such as being locked out of a home or vehicle, to exploit customers for their own financial gain. Here are some common tactics used by locksmith scammers:

1. Bait-and-Switch Pricing: Locksmith scammers may advertise low prices to attract customers, but then charge significantly higher fees once they arrive on-site. They may claim additional fees for tools, labor, or other reasons, leading to inflated and unfair charges.
2. Overcharging: Locksmith scammers may charge excessive fees for simple tasks, such as unlocking a door or replacing a key, taking advantage of customers’ lack of knowledge about reasonable pricing in the industry.
3. Unnecessary Repairs or Replacements: Locksmith scammers may claim that a lock or key needs to be replaced or repaired when it is actually unnecessary, just to charge higher fees. They may also use poor-quality or cheap parts, leading to subpar workmanship or recurrent issues.
4. Lack of Proper Licensing or Certification: Locksmith scammers may operate without proper licenses or certifications, ignoring local or state regulations and engaging in illegal or unethical practices.
5. Unprofessional Behavior: Locksmith scammers may exhibit unprofessional behavior, such as rudeness, aggressiveness, or lack of proper identification or uniforms, making it difficult for customers to verify their legitimacy.
6. Unreliable or Unresponsive Communication: Locksmith scammers may have poor communication practices, such as not answering phone calls, not showing up on time, or not providing clear information about pricing or services, leading to confusion or frustration for customers.
7. Damage to Property: Locksmith scammers may use aggressive or reckless methods to gain entry, causing unnecessary damage to locks, doors, or other property and then charging inflated fees for repairs or replacements.

To protect yourself from locksmith scammers, it’s important to exercise caution and take proactive measures, such as verifying a locksmith’s credentials, asking for written estimates before agreeing to services, checking for proper identification, and researching customer reviews or testimonials.

It’s also a good practice to have a trusted locksmith’s contact information handy before an emergency situation arises, so you can avoid falling prey to scammers in a rush or desperate situation.

Looking for a reliable locksmith in Joondalup? We can help. Call Dion today on 0473 594 959.