6 tips to avoid locksmith scams in US

Locksmith scams have been quite common in countries like the United States and United Kingdom over the last few decades. The modus operandi is rather cunning. These firms would use illegitimate means to get themselves listed as “authentic” businesses and wait for a desperate customer to call them for a lock or key related emergency. Once they had the customer in their trap, they would send an unqualified technician who would usually do a shoddy job but charge an enormous sum of money for the same. Desperate customers would have no option but to pay.

Thankfully, such scams have reduced greatly in the last few years due to customer awareness, a string of lawsuits and the expansion of legitimate locksmith firms. However, you may still run into a scam company while looking for a legitimate automotive or residential locksmith in Lauderhill, FL. But with helpful tips and some useful tell-tale signs, you will be able to distinguish a legitimate locksmith from a scam.

The Honest Locksmith, a premier locksmith agency operating in Lauderhill, has helped its customers identify countless such fake locksmiths pretending to wean away hapless clients and loot them under the garb of emergency services. Many of our own customers who have been victim to these scams now only call us all kinds of residential, commercial or emergency locksmith services in Lauderhill, FL.

Here are 6 useful tips that will help you identify or avoid a scam locksmith firm in the future:

Check their credentials

The no.1 telltale sign of a fake locksmith is a lack of credentials. Becoming a locksmith is not easy as it takes months of practical training, apprenticeship, and finally certification issued by various bodies across the country. If the locksmith who has showed up at your doorstep refuses to show his credentials for any reason, it can be assumed that he is not professionally qualified to be anywhere near your locks and keys.

Are they in a uniform?

Scam locksmith firms usually send their technicians without proper uniforms to reduce accountability. On the other hand, a professional locksmith firm never dispatches any technician without a proper uniform that prominently displays the logo of the company. If a locksmith arrives at your doorstep in regular clothes, do ask for a reason. If the answer seems unsatisfactory, it is a glaring red flag right in front of you.

Look for signs of dubious pricing

Scam locksmith firms rely heavily on misleading pricing/marketing to bait customers. They usually advertise themselves as “the cheapest” emergency locksmith in Lauderhill, FL or the “most affordable” residential locksmith in Lauderhill, FL. The prices they list are so lucrative that many customers are easily lured into hiring them as opposed to a legit professional. But once the customer calls them, these firms add hidden charges to inflate the final bill. On the other hand, The Honest Locksmith ensures 100% transparency from the time you call us and never quotes a price before being fully aware of the job at hand. Once we quote are rates, we stick to them and never deviate.

Scan their track record

A simple Google search goes a long way toward making a wise decision. If you find a locksmith firm you are interested in hiring, just see what kind of online presence they have. Look for an official website, Google reviews, customer testimonials, etc. Legit locksmith firms will always have a dedicated website and at least a few customer reviews that can help guide your decision.

Never rely on roadside ‘technicians’

Unqualified technicians posing as “real locksmiths” can offer basic services like locks changeor may even help you get your locks rekeyed, but they can never be fully trusted with your home or office security. Locksmithing is a craft that is honed with years of practice and requires proper skill. Even after this, locksmiths undergo hours of training to stay abreast of the latest technological innovations. Modern locks, digital security systems, heavy-duty commercial locks, transponder keys, etc. are all products of 21^st century innovations that common technicians with a corner shop cannot handle. If you get lured by their cheap prices, remember that you are not only entrusting them with your security system but also allowing them to dismantle it – one wrong step and you would end up paying more than what you bargained for.

Choose the right method

Lastly, why fall into the trap of a dubious locksmith firm when you can avail the services of a trusted and widely-acclaimed locksmith? Locksmith firms like The Honest Locksmith have been serving the local community in Lauderhill, FL for several years and offer a wide range of lock and key solutions to commercial, residential and automotive customers anytime, anywhere. Whether you are struggling with a tricky situation such as a lock out in Lauderhill, FL or need a new set of keys after losing the original pair, you no longer have to rely on online listings to find a locksmith since they may well be rigged. Simply save The Honest Locksmith’s 24x7 emergency helpline 954-890-3231 on your speed dial and let us take over from there.