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Unfair or Deceptive Locksmith Companies

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What is an Unfair or Deceptive Locksmith Company?

An unfair or deceptive locksmith company is a company that advertises as being a locksmith, but really employs untrained, ill-equipped technicians, and they are deceptive when it comes to pricing. They will charge for unnecessary services and/or use intimidation tactics with the consumer.

In fact, they really shouldn't be called "locksmiths" at all. If a person impersonates a police officer, do you call them a "police officer"? It's fraudulent impersonation.

Some of Dependable Locksmith’s aliases include, Superb Solutions, Locksmith 24 Hour, Inc., USA Total Security, Priceline Locksmith, and S.O.S. Locksmith.**

Two other locksmith contractors fleecing consumers are Basad, Inc. – which operates under more than 50 names nationwide, such as A-1 Locksmith Service, A-1 24 Hour Locksmith, A-1 Lock & Key Locksmith, and AAA Locksmith 24 Hour – and Liberty Locksmith. Similar to Dependable Locksmith, they pose as local locksmiths and run full-page yellow pages ads with multiple phone and address listings. The phone numbers appear to be local, but connect to national call centers such as Liberty’s in New York City, while the addresses end up belonging to other established businesses in the local area, or are simply non-existent.**

On YellowPages.com there are 247 locksmith listings in my area. I verified 75 of them coming from Priceline Locksmith (AKA Dependable Locksmith). That's 30.36% of the listings! And that number is just the listings I can absolutely verify are Priceline Locksmiths. There are a few additional listings and/or numbers I have personally flagged but cannot yet determine 100% if they are Priceline's numbers.

**Text taken directly from BBB. May be copyrighted. Check with BBB. Original article from BBB here.

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Dependable Locksmith

Dependable Locksmith is the biggest deceiver of them all. Dependable will advertise several telephone numbers in the phone directory or the internet with several different addresses, making it appear they are bigger than they are, with a local store nearby you. In reality, however, these addresses are fake with no locksmith store or even any type of business there. The telephone call is transferred to a call center in New York.

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Names That These Unfair or Deceptive Companies Operate Under 

This large section has been assigned its own page at
 Names of Unfair or Deceptive Locksmith Companies.
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Phone Numbers of Unfair or Deceptive Companies 

This large section has been assigned its own page at
 Phone Numbers of Unfair or Deceptive Locksmith Companies.
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Websites of Unfair or Deceptive Companies 

This large section has been assigned its own page at
 Websites of Unfair or Deceptive Locksmith Companies.
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Miscellaneous

Priceline at Applebee's?

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What Can Be Done?

There are several things that can be done to combat this problem:

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Tips For Locksmiths

  1. Go to YellowPages.com and find all the locksmiths in your area. Now write a review on each of the ones that are unfair or deceptive. This may be time consuming, but it will inform a potential victim to stay away from these companies.
  2. Go to Google Local and find all the locksmiths in your area again. Click "Find Businesses" and enter "locksmith" and the area you want to search (such as the zip code). You'll be taken to a list of results. Clicking on the "more info" link on each listing will bring up a page where you can write a review on each listing. This may be time consuming, but it will keep another victim from using these scammers.
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Tips For Consumers

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Press Releases

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ALOA

PRESS RELEASE

For Immediate Release

Consumers Warned of Phony Locksmith Scam

DALLAS, TX - Consumers are warned to beware of individuals posing as locksmith who perform unnecessary work or charge exorbitant un-locking fees. The Associated Locksmiths of America, Inc. (ALOA), an international association of locksmith and physical security professionals, recently issued an official warning on "phony locksmiths".

"This scheme entices locked-out consumers with large Yellow Pages ads that give the impression you are calling a local business," says ALOA's Executive Director, Charles W. Gibson, Jr., "These companies manipulate listings with multiple false addresses and phone numbers to make them seem like a neighborhood businesses. In actuality, the victims frequentlyy are calling out-of-state operations that are not locksmith companies at all. The consumer is quoted a reasonable price over the phone, but when a person posing as a locksmith finishes the job, the victim is charged a considerable amount more for unnecessary and sub-standard work."

ALOA has created a checklist for detecting a company that may be engaging in this scheme. "Many of the items in this checklist are legal by themselves," adds Gibson. "However, if several are used together, you may be dealing with a con artist."

1. Not Familiar with Your Area To make sure the company is local, make sure that they are familiar with your area of town.

2. "Locksmith Service." Unscrupulous individuals often operate under many business names/aliases. Thus, they must answer the phone with a generic phrase like, "locksmith service." If the call is answered this way, ask, "What is the legal name of your business"

3. ALOA Logo. Does the Yellow Pages ad contain a logo that makes them appear to belong to ALOA? While many locksmiths do belong to the Association, some unscrupulous individuals trick the consumer by falsely using the ALOA logo.You can always check to see if in fact these businesses are members by (800) 532-2562 or www.findalocksmith.com

4. Unclear Business Name. Look closely at the ad(s). Is the specific name of the business clearly identified? Does it appear that the dealer actually operates under several names? If a Web address is listed, does the name on the Web site match the name on the ad?

5. "Under Same Ownership." This confusing statement, often found in small print at the bottom of a full-page ad in the Yellow Pages, is often legally required to prevent a business from deceiving the public. The statement itself may be a warning sign that the company operates under several aliases.

6. Service Vehicle. Some legitimate locksmiths will work out of a car or unmarked van for quick jobs, but most will arrive in a service vehicle � a van or truck that is clearly marked.

7. Identity. A legitimate locksmith should ask for identity and some form of proof that you have the authority to allow the unlocking to be done. You have the right to ask for the locksmith's identification as well. Does he have a business card? Does he have an invoice or bill with the company name printed on it? Does it match the name on the service vehicle?

8. Estimate. Find out what the work will cost before you authorize it. Never sign a blank form authorizing work.

9. Invoice. Insist on an itemized invoice. You can't dispute a charge without proof of how much you paid and what the payment was for .

10. Refuse. If you are not comfortable with the service provider, you can, and should, refuse to work with the locksmith.

If you feel that you have been the victim a scheme as described above, ALOA recommends that you contact the office of the Attorney General in your state by going to http://www.aloa.org/AGMap/AG.htm and click on your state to file a consumer complaint.

Also check for a valid state license number . The states that have licensing for locksmith services ( AL,CA, IL, LA, NJ, NC, OK, TN and TX ) may require the licensed locksmith company to include a state license number on their vehicles, advertising, and all paperwork. If your state requires licensing, then the technician must show you his/her identity card, which is a good indicator of legitimacy. These licensed locksmiths and their companies have been investigated by the state and found free of criminal activity in their past, and are required to have current valid liability insurance policies in force. States with a licensing law typically have a consumer protection hotline number to call and a mailing address for complaints to be sent to. Do not pay anyone that will not provide you with this information. If your state does not have a licensing law to protect you, ask your legislator for that protection. The Associated Locksmiths Of America (ALOA) supports state licensing for the purpose of protecting the consumer and can assist your legislator in drafting laws to protect consumers from phony locksmith scams.

The Associated Locksmiths of America (ALOA) is the world's largest organization for locksmiths and other physical security professionals. ALOA is dedicated to being the consumer's first line of defense in physical security by increasing the effectiveness and productivity of locksmiths through educational programs and materials that address broad security interests. ALOA's activities include the ALOA Continuing Education (ACE) program, the ALOA Annual Convention & Security Expo and the ALOA Training Center, which is based in Dallas, Texas. ALOA leads the way for advanced and improved security performance by providing members and the security community with access to a full range of educational programs and services.

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FTC

Please read the Press Release entitled The Keys to Hiring a Reputable Locksmith, issued by the Federal Trade Commission, January 2008.

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Before You Need a Locksmith

Select a locksmith before you even need one.

Be aware that service required after regular business hours will generally be more expensive than scheduled work during regular business hours, whether you are dealing with an honest locksmith or not. If it's not an emergency, you will probably save some money by waiting until regular rates.

With that in mind:

Check the Better Business Bureau by going to BBB.org. Enter your zip code and you'll be taken to your local BBB branch. You can search by business name or phone number on the locksmith you want to use. You can also look for a BBB Accredited Business member.

While not all reputable locksmiths are members of the Associated Locksmiths of America (ALOA), the members of ALOA are trustworthy. You can find a member of ALOA by going to the FindALocksmith.com web site.

Get a referral from a friend or relative who has used a locksmith before.

Be wary of a locksmith that answers the phone vaguely, such as "locksmith", or "locksmith services" or similar. This company may be operating under a variety of names. Ask for the legal name of the business.

Ask for the exact address of their business. Sure, most locksmiths don't have a storefront or shop, but they should be able to give you the address they receive company mail at least.

Look closely at the ad in the phone book. Is the company name there? Does it appear the company operates under several business names? This could be a clue that they are not reputable.

Be wary of a locksmith that doesn't give a firm quote or range before getting to your lockout. Most lockouts are standard jobs and can be quoted to a 99% degree of accuracy on the telephone. Ask for a price if it was a "worst case scenario". Ask what forms of payment they accept.

Be wary of servicemen in unmarked cars, who don't wear uniforms, or present identification.

When the locksmith arrives, confirm the price and payment methods before work is started. Never sign a blank estimate.

The locksmith should confirm your identity that you have authority to access the lock in question. This information should be recorded by the locksmith.

If you're not comfortable with your locksmith when they arrive, it may be best to wait again for a different locksmith. Be ready to say "no". Calling the police will almost always frighten away the unfair or deceptive locksmith.

Be skeptical if the locksmith says he needs to drill open the lock. In reality, this is a rarity and usually only needs to be performed if the lock is damaged or you are in an extreme hurry to get in. Sometimes it takes longer to drill the lock than it does to pick it open.

Get an itemized invoice.

Most credit cards have built-in fraud protection and will allow you to fight the charges should you have a legitimate claim.

If you are in a state that requires licensing, always ask for the license number and ask to see it when they arrive. These states are Alabama, California, Illinois, Louisiana, New Jersey, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Tennessee, and Texas.

California

Florida

  • Check the Florida Department of State Division of Corporations website to see if your locksmith has even filed for a fictitious name. It is illegal to operate under a business name if it has not been registered with the state. At the top, under "Document Searches" -> "Fictitious Names" -> "Inquire by Fictitious Name".

Illinois

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If You Were Happy With Your Locksmith

  1. Tell a friend about your locksmith if they are in need of one.
  2. Go to YellowPages.com and rate your experience with the locksmith you used.
  3. Go to Google Local. Click "Find Businesses" and enter "locksmith" and the area you want to search (such as the zip code). You'll be taken to a list of results. Click on the "more info" link next to the locksmith name and/or number that you used. There is a link there that will allow you to write a review on your locksmith.
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If You Have Been Ripped Off

  1. Call your police department.
  2. If you have been ripped off, file a complaint with your local Better Business Bureau (BBB).
  3. File a complaint with your Attorney General. You can find your local Attorney General from the National Association of Attorneys General website.
  4. File a complaint with your credit card if you used one during the process, or put a stop-payment on your check if you paid via check.
  5. Go to YellowPages.com and rate your experience with the locksmith you used.
  6. Go to Google Local. Click "Find Businesses" and enter "locksmith" and the area you want to search (such as the zip code). You'll be taken to a list of results. Click on the "more info" link next to the locksmith name and/or number that you used. There is a link there that will allow you to write a review on your locksmith.

If you are in California, the California Department of Consumer Affairs will let you file a complaint here.

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Links to More Information For Consumers

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Links to News Stories

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*

Please note that not all businesses operating under the above names may be fraudulent, unfair, or deceptive. There may be a few independent locksmiths that may have the unfortunate luck of having the same business name as the unfair or deceptive companies in question.

Also note that this information may not be 100% accurate. Errors do happen. If you know of an error in the information above, please report it immediately so it can be corrected.

The information on this particular page is free from copyright from LocksmithWiki.com. Please feel free to link to this information or copy it for your own use.

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