7 tips to avoid locksmith scams

Legitimate locksmith companies may also use similar names to improve their position in business directories, so use the following tips from the Federal Trade Commission to help avoid a scam:

1. Be wary of locksmith companies that answer calls with generic phrases like “locksmith services,” rather than a specific name. If a locksmith cannot or will not provide the business’ legal name, find another locksmith.
2. When the locksmith arrives, ask for identification, including a locksmith license where applicable. Alabama, California, Illinois, Louisiana, New Jersey, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Tennessee and Texas all require locksmiths to be licensed.
3. Get an estimate before any work begins, including emergency service.
4. Ask about extra charges for things like emergency hours, mileage or service call minimums before you agree to have the work performed.
5. If the locksmith’s on-site price doesn’t match the phone estimate, don’t allow the work to be performed.
6. Most legitimate locksmiths will arrive in a clearly marked vehicle.
7. If you’re locked out, be cautious of companies that recommend or insist on drilling or replacing the lock up front. Most experienced locksmiths have the skills and tools to unlock almost any door.

Be wary of these aliases

Dependable Locks Inc., which made our National Worst list this year, allegedly used a variety of aliases to appear as local companies in business directories across the country.

Using information provided by consumer complaints received by Angie’s List, state attorneys general and local BBB chapters, we compiled this list to help you steer clear of the company’s deceptive practices.

• A Always Available 24 Hour Locksmith
• A Emergency A Locksmith
• A Locksmith Service 24 Hour
• A-1 Locksmiths
• AAA 24 & 7 Day Locksmith
• Always Available Locksmith
• Emergency & Always Available 24 Hour Locksmith
• Locksmith Service
• 24 Hour Emergency Locksmith
• 24 Hour Locksmith
• 24/7 Locksmith
• 24hour a Locksmith
• A # 1 24 Hour Locksmith
• A 24 Hour Locksmith
• A Always Available 24 Hour Locksmith
• A Emergency A Locksmith
• A Emergency Locksmith
• A Kansas City # 1 Emergency Locksmith
• A Locksmith
• A Locksmith 00 24 Hour
• A Locksmith 24 Hour Emergency
• A Locksmith a 1-24 Hour
• A Locksmith Always 24 Hour
• A Locksmith Service 24 Hour
• A Thirty Five Dollar Locksmith
• A1 Locksmith Inc-Superb Solutions
• A-1 Locksmiths
• A24 Hour a Locksmith
• AAA 24 & 7 Day Locksmith
• All Around Locks, A United Locksmith
• Alocksmith
• Always Available Locksmith
• Always Locksmith 24 Hr
• Always Ready Locksmith
• Brooklyn Locksmith
• Columbus One Locksmith
• Emergency & Always Available 24 Hour Locksmith
• Emergencya Locksmith
• Express Locks
• Dependable Locks Inc.
• Dependable Locksmith
• Five Star Locksmith
• Gold Locksmith
• Liberty Locksmith
• Locksmith
• Locksmith 24 Hour, Inc.
• Locksmith Service
• Mega Locksmith
• Millenium Locksmith
• Price Line
• Priceline Locksmith, Inc.
• Quick Locksmith
• S.O.S Locksmith
• Speedway Locksmith
• Superb Solutions Inc.
• Superb Solutions Locksmith
• Top Guard Locksmith
• USA Silver Locksmith
• USA Total Security

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