A daughter of a friend of mine was taken by the locksmith scam this week. She’d locked herself out of her house and called a toll-free number, 877-291-5625, and asked what the costs would be to get her into the house. She was told that it would be a $19 fee for the locksmith to drive there and $25+ to open the door. Th
e plus depends on the “work” that the locksmith has to perform.
She says that when the man arrived he had the door open in a minute or so and announced that the total she should pay him was $180. One hundred and eighty dollars! Can you believe that? Let’s say it was actually three minutes – that’s almost $54 a minute (not including the $19 fee) – or $3,240 an hour!
After a lot of haggling with the man, she got him down to $120, but that still is a far cry from what she was quoted.
We, at the BBB, Googled the phone number and came up with some interesting information – http://thelocksmithpolice.com/exhibits/Numbered%20Exhibits/EXHIBIT%20029%20-%20COMPLETE_DOC.pdf. This is a website put up by someone who was trying to look into locksmiths that pull this same stunt.
The BBB in Phoenix, Arizona has a report on this company – they have an F rating, as of today. They haven’t responded to most of the complaints that have been received by the BBB, from consumers with the same issues!
Upon contacting the company they said they were a mobile company, they do not have a physical address and provided an email address (which the BBB in Phoenix had and hasn’t helped them to respond to complaints).
Consumers need to do their homework first before calling a locksmith. Perhaps today (when you don’t need one) is the time to plug the number for your LOCAL locksmith into your mobile phone. Make sure the company actually has a physical location in your area. A local number is a good start, but we’ve seen those used by these companies that jack up the price as well.
Consumers should check out locksmiths with their BBB and with The Associated Locksmiths of America, Inc. (ALOA). Reputable locksmiths will be members of this association.
What to do if you are taken?
- File a complaint with the Better Business Bureau.
- File a complaint with the Utah Division of Consumer Protection.
- Call the police if the company asks for more money than quoted, while the company is still at your home (office, car, etc.).
A few things are missing from this story to confirm it is indeed a scammer. First is when did the lockout happen? If you call me at 1am and I have to drive over 10 miles the charge will be $120 for just one lock. Now if this was during business hours-9am to 5pm than usual charge is around $55 to $65 depending on where you’re located. I know one company advertizes “We’ll get you in for $99″ in New York City.
Doubt it is a scammer company because you got information from them. Even if they’re mobile they should have a mailing address. Real scammers won’t give you anything that could help you find what state they are in–usually Florida.
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Dear Illinois Licensed Locksmith Have you been consuming to much Floride in your drinking water because it is obvious they were scammed. It is the regular phony locksmith bait and switch that has been going on for 10 years now. One can charge as much as one wants as long as they state the price. Not sure if you even are a legitimate locksmith seeing you took the time to type a response down playing a horriblle experiance of a consumer. By the way I am also a Licensed Illinois locksmith. By the way I see you say what a new york locksmith advertises. You must be one of the licensed scammers in Illinois that is from new york The scammers give thousands of phony addresses.
It is my whole hearted belief and it is obvious to a blind man they were scammed.
The real shame here is that these companys are not real locksmiths but self proclaimed ones that the only professional thing they know how to do is spam all the advertising outlets with deceptive advertising.
PS I am an expert on phony scamming locksmith Impersonators.
Jane you are right and a scam did occur. Make sure a complaint is filed with the attorney general. This is one of the biggest consumer scams going on in The US and Canada. It appears to be an international organized crime ring posing as locksmiths based out of ISRAEL.
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If there is an extra charge, it should be told clearly and how much. It is a ripp off. I let people know how much it is ahead of time. Usualy $125.00 if the cylinder needs to be drill out. After hours servie is more, an again, I let the customer know.
In Brooklyn there is a Locksmith withourta storefront, who will drill the lock causing damage and forcing the customer to buy a new lock.
http://www.yelp.com/topic/brooklyn-locksmith-without-a-storefront
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I’m Robert Vallelunga, owner of ACME Locksmith and a 2011 BBB International Marketplace Excellence Award finalist. What your friend experienced is not uncommon.
Sadly, these dubious companies quote very low prices to lure in customers but then charge 2-5X the national average (which is $60 for an unlock service–this covers not only the time spend unlocking the vehicle but also the time and cost associated with getting a technican to the location). I am sorry you friend had this experience.
My tip would be to get an exact price on all service upfront. Vehicle and home unlocks are so common that any legitimate company will be able to quote an exact price upfront.
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Mike Has Done So Much Hard Work To Stop These Guys He Should Get A Meda!l
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View This Link! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wYK7-3AJRZM
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Sorry….but it’s pretty obvious most of you other locksmiths are just jealous. I charge $80 for all lockouts. I think most of you lack any kinda people skills. You obviously have horrible grammar. All you losers keep lowering your prices offering flat rates, making it harder for yourselves. Get a grip. The Israelis aren’t going anywhere. I’m white….I have learned to accept this. Stop whining
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LOL, Good for you 80 bucks is a fair price for a lockout. But only an idiot or a scammer would post such a comment. Which one are you?
The person was scammed without a doubt. Where do jerks like you come from.
So you have learned to accept it????? Does that mean you didnt accept it for awhile.Frankly It appears you are one of them because no Legitimate locksmith in this nation that has any knowledge of this scam would never make a statement like yours.
Your post is common in all the complaint forums as you scammers always post these things to try and confuse the victims complaint.
SO YOU KNOW There are those that are watching and are not as stupid as you might think.
LOL = Looser on Line
The Liar cant even post their own name what a coward!!!!
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Well Mr. LOL, first I would like to say that apparently you are aware of the real situation that has invaded the Whole United States. It is far more serious than I think your pea brain can handle. They are targeting innocent people that are in a situation and use threats and scare tactics to receive payment. There are several situations where they have targeted the elderly and have on record charging a elderly man $1200.00 to get him in his house. This is not a matter or being jealous, it is a matter of justice for these innocent victims, and trying to make it public that this situation exists. I have been in this industry or 31 years and have a rather large clientele. I do not quote a customer a price and in turn triple it. I unlock vehicles for $60.00 and after hours depending on time, up to $80.00. And to unlock a residence is less than that. I do not drill a lock because I do not know how to pick such as these people do. But the difference between you and I take pride in my work as well as tell costumers of this serious situation. As for whining, um no. It is a matter of ethics, and thousands of dollars spent in this Industry, my Company has had to repair damages that they have caused due to untrained, unlicensed people. yes this makes me a lot of money. But no one deserves to have an untrained handyman come into their Business or Residence when they portray themselves as a Locksmith knowing they are not qualified and setting these people up to pay outrageous fees prior to even doing the service call. I sure do hope that your Business will not be effected by this situation, but there are several that have put as much time and effort in this Business to have the name Locksmith ruined due to these Israel owned Businesses, and have had to close down due to it. So go ahead and laugh, this is a real situation effecting our Industry, and you obviously do not give a rats ass about your community or your fellow Locksmiths. Would you allow a garder to operate on you , Didn’t think so.. SO wake up.
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I was ripped off by this same exact company! They are abusing the lockout service! $115 for a simple air wedge lockout! What a rip off!
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The price is not the evidence of a rip off, it is the bait and switch and false advertising. This amounts to fraud. It generally comes with a big dose of non professional service.
The charge is what it is, but it MUST be understood up front. The cost to provide this service is $140+ for legitimate companies in major metro areas, and a professional job is done, with doors left in working order, as good as, or often better than new.
When someone advertises a local, but fraudulent address, quotes a price of $49, can not produce evidence of a business license, tax id# or proper trade licensing they are a scammer. It is illegal.
When arrested they need to have their citizenship checked, as well as a local ID, insurance for their vehicle, etc. These scam artist posing as locksmiths could be put out of business, but it will require local law enforcement, city and DA’s to do something. Let’s do this!
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You’re an idiot for not checking up on the company first and don’t sign ANYTHING until you read the quote or have it in writing. Stop trying to be a victim! If a Plumber charges you $250 to fix a leak then thats what it costs. you either take it or you dont! SIMPLE
And NO im not a locksmith or a scammer just sick of people whining these days about feeling like they got ripped off all the time. GO Find a local plumber or meet a Mobile Locksmith and program their number in your phone first so you have it ready. if you dont know of one call someone. Ask for a quote in writing first. If it seems reasonable then get it! simple!!
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