Scammers know that when you’re locked out of your house, car or business, you’re in a vulnerable position. You need help as soon as possible, and you may be frustrated and impatient with the process of combing through a list for a local locksmith. But it’s important to stay vigilant when hiring a locksmith whether it’s for your home, car, or business- because you’re trusting that person with a lot. You’re giving that person access to your personal property, not to mention trusting them not to damage your property while they’re in there.
Scammers know how to game the system
They have many tactics to catch their customers unawares. So what can you do to avoid such scams? The best way to make sure you’ve found the genuine article is to find a good locksmith before you’re in an emergency situation and verify their legitimacy.
Most scammers pose as local locksmiths but actually operate many different “local” shops in different states from one call center location. Alternatively, an unskilled worker may operate out of their homes. The best thing you can do to avoid falling victim to scammers and unskilled workers is to verify their local location and be sure that they actually operate a physical property in your state.
If you’re in a position where you can visit the location listed on their website before hiring them, this is a great way to determine their legitimacy. But we understand that this is not always possible. If you have your smartphone charged and handy, look up the address on your maps app and see if the location is actually listed with the company name. It’s also wise to take some time to look at the reviews for their services. A total lack of reviews can be a red flag, so if you can’t find many or any reviews, it may be good to move on.
Use any or all of these methods to vet a potential locksmith;
When you go to make a call to your locksmith, pay attention to the phone number they are using. A real local locksmith should be using a number with an appropriate local area code. If they’re using an 800 number or an out of state phone number, that’s a red flag. If you do call them, listen to how they answer the phone. Most legitimate locksmiths (or any company, for that matter) will answer with the name of their business. Scammers will usually use a generic answer, like “locksmith services.”
If you’re speaking to a scammer company, they likely operate more than one “locksmith company” in more than one state, so quiz them on their company name and location. If they are hesitant to give you this information, move on. There should be no excuse for not providing their business information.
If at any point you feel uncomfortable with the company, don’t hire them. Don’t let an emergency situation make you rush into a poor locksmith decision that could cost quite a bit or worse, compromise your security. If at all possible, find a reliable locksmith before you need one. Don’t wait!
You know who’s a professional, local Jacksonville locksmith that meets all of the above requirements? The Safe Depot’s 24 hour locksmith. We have a fleet of talented locksmiths driving around in the field in their well outfitted vans ready for your call at any time of the day. If you’d like to see what our happy customers have to say about our services, check out our testimonials.