How To Identify A Locksmith Scammer?
What’s worse than being locked out of your house without a key? A dodgy emergency locksmith who will not only ruin your door but install low-quality fixtures and bill you for a shabby job.
Watch Out For Shady Locksmith Ads
Emergency locksmith scammers are rampant; they advertise on Google Ads, calling themselves after-hours locksmiths and bait you with their low rates.
If you are locked out of your house or need an emergency locksmith, we suggest you do a bit of research before calling the number found on Google Ads. The selling point of such scammers is their low price, so don’t get too excited when you find a locksmith that is charging way less than the others.
Don’t Be Fooled By The Low Price
Can you imagine your plumber or electrician charging you as little as $45? That too in an emergency? Well, just like a plumber, a locksmith is also a skilled tradesman who has completed a 4-year apprenticeship.
When a price seems too good to be true, it’s actually too good to be true. Do your homework before calling an emergency locksmith, as they are masters of the con, and before you know it, you will be scammed in the name of emergency.
Here are some of the things you can do to research and check whether you are being scammed or not.
Ways To Spot A Locksmith Scammer
Research
When in a jam, it’s hard to research and double-check. However, a few minutes of research can save you from a lot of trouble later. When you go to the website you found on Google, dig a little deeper. Check out the business hours, and their location. Do they have a retail presence that you can go and speak with a professional if you have a query?
Moreover, does the website have a logo? Does their name resemble another locksmith business? All these are red flags that should alert you about the authenticity of the locksmith.
If they have a social media link on their website, check that out. Reviews and ratings matter as well, but most businesses buy these reviews, so make sure you check everything twice before calling the locksmith.
Accredited/Licensed
Our company holds a Victoria Police security registration N-720-634-305. All of our technicians hold individual Victoria Police security licenses. This gives you the peace of mind that the person who attends your premises has undergone a rigorous license process. Our technicians also hold working with childrens checks.
We advise you to ask the locksmith for his license before commencing the job, a scammer won’t have a license.
Branded Vehicle
The biggest and most prominent red flag you need to look out for is the vehicle they arrive in. legitimate locksmiths have a branded vehicle with their logo and contact details printed on it.
If your emergency locksmith comes in an unmarked car, you need to be vigilant. Lack of uniform or a branded cap is also a red flag. Professionals are always branded for business as this is their way of marketing their service.
Final Thoughts
If you find yourself dealing with a scammer, or if there is even a slight inkling that the person who came might not be up to the mark, cancel the job there and then.
We hope the above read was helpful. Good luck and be careful!
