Description

On 1/8/25, victim experienced a lockout of their apartment amidst trying to evacuate the Los Angeles fires. She realized she may need to call a locksmith and so she called the first option on Google out of desperation. She called B&A Locksmith 24/7 and asked about services and was told they could arrive in 20-30minutes. She asked for a quote but they continuously evaded the question and stated they would need to "evaluate the situation first." Desperate, she said that's fine just send someone. A few moments later, victim's mother called and said AAA would likely be able to complete the job quickly and for free given victim had a membership. Victim went and called AAA to inquire and AAA said no problem, they can send someone within 8-10 minutes and to hold tight. When victim got off the phone with AAA, she received a phone call from Bar, a worker at B&A Locksmith saying they were outside. Victim informed worker that their services would "no longer be needed" as AAA was coming and able to perform the service for free. Worker begins to get aggressive stating they drove all the way over here and wanted to be let in to make a quote. They were informed again that their services would NOT be needed as AAA was coming and going to perform the service for free momentarily. Victim ended the phone call as worker continued to show aggression and agitation. Victim checked the AAA tracker and saw they were still ~8minutes away. A few moments later victim received a phone call from an unknown call number. Victim answered and asked who was calling. The individual said they were "the locksmith" and victim asked "what company they were with." They said AAA and that they would be 2-3hrs before they could help because they were derailed from the LA fires. Victim said she might have to go with someone else given the urgency of the situation. Victim then texted the B&A Locksmith worker asking if they were there and saying they would relent and accept a quote. B&A ultimately performed the service and charged $150 then coerced victim into leaving a 5-star review before leaving. A few minutes later victim received a phone call from AAA stating they were outside and there to help, as within their expected 8-10minute time frame. Victim stated she had gone with someone else because she had received a call from someone claiming to be AAA stating they would take several hours to reach her. AAA stated they never made that call and that someone must have been impersonating them because that did not happen. Only B&A and AAA were called. B&A impersonated AAA in order to pressure me into using their services and committed impersonation fraud.