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When you have been locked out of your own home or are in urgent need of lock repairs, calling in a locksmith should be a winding-down-during-taking-pain type moment and not cause an exponential increase in panic. Unfortunately, like many service-based industries, the locksmith business is home to scammers where unsuspecting consumers become victims of unethical practices, concealed charges, and inferior workmanship. In addition, these scams do not just raid your wallet they can also leave you with a home that is vulnerable because the lock was either installed incorrectly or is of poor quality.
At East London Locksmith, we want to help our community learn so that these issues don’t happen. Through this guide, we will unmask prevalent security scams, identify reliable professionals, and give you practical advice on how to protect yourself. If you need a locksmith today or just wish to be prepared for future emergencies, this article will give you the tools needed to make safe and informed choices.
Read on to find out how you can keep one step ahead of locksmith scammers and make sure that your home is in the hands of a professional.
Surprisingly for some, locksmith scams are more prevalent than you may realize. Some include getting you hooked with price-and-switch where the locksmith quotes a low rate but charges more once they complete the job or utilize unlicensed individuals who do mediocre work and compromise your security. Here, we will focus on the most common scams and how you can identify the red flags before it is too late. Awareness of these tricks is the first step to keeping them at bay.
A small amount of research can save you a lot of money on your locksmith hire. Before you bring that phone up to your ear, make sure to take a peek at their online cred. Find a Local, Professional, and Reputable Locksmith You can search for locksmiths who have been in business for years with good reviews and an established presence in your area. Research their website for service offerings and contact. A professional locksmith should have a business address, phone number, and hopefully some references from other clients.
An unclear or vague price structure is one of the biggest red flags of a locksmith scam. If there are additional fees, the reputable locksmith will provide a quote beforehand before performing the service. Steer clear of locksmiths who are unwilling to provide an estimate for the job beforehand or those who advertise ridiculously low prices only to raise them once the work is complete. A good locksmith will always make sure that you are aware of the costs before they start, which brings us back to transparency.
Even if a deal sounds unreal, it most probably is. While others charge extremely low rates to lure a customer in only to hike the price tremendously following job completion. The best thing to do is always be cautious about any deal of the day, or price that you read on a flyer or ad because they most probably cannot use this type of unethical tactics. There is no way that you can devote money to professionalism and expect great work for pennies on the dollar.
A professional locksmith will always be properly trained and certified by recognized bodies. Members of associations such as the Master Locksmiths Association (MLA) or other regulatory bodies that keep records about their standards will find it helpful to seek locksmith companies near you. These certifications also show that the locksmith is qualified and practices best practices. Feel free to request proof of credentials before proceeding with service.
Trustworthy locksmiths will have a physical, searchable address. A huge warning sign is if the locksmith you call only uses a cell phone or posts an ad on a faceless website with no clear address. You want a local locksmith who can come to you in no time. They shine bright like a diamond but it can sometimes be worth asking for their address to see if they really are local.
A trustworthy locksmith will usually come in a car with some sort of brand on it and dress as an agent of the company. Many scammers show up in unmarked cars or wearing plain clothes that you cannot identify them. If you are in doubt, ask for their business ID. If they come on a vehicle, check the registration of that vehicle.
Look up customer reviews and testimonials to see whether the locksmith is a reputable company before hiring one. Reviews on trustworthy platforms like Google, Trustpilot, or Yell help you know about the service quality, reliability, and professionalism of a locksmith. Read reviews and if most are positive be cautious of ones where only praise is present as these may be fake.
You have various rights as a customer which ensure that you will not be overcharged and will receive the minimum level of service necessary. Understand that under the 2015 Consumer Rights Act any service should be provided using reasonable care and skill. If they do not get the work done in good quality, you can request a refund or redo the work. Know your rights so that you are ready if something goes wrong.
There are numerous reasons why selecting a local locksmith is beneficial: you will have peace of mind that your security is in good hands. A local service tends to be more dependable, responsive, and personally invested in its reputation. Take East London Locksmith as an example; they are very dedicated to the local customers and will never abandon them for better service elsewhere. Choosing a reputable local professional for the job will protect you from fraud and also keep businesses that actually care about your security in business.
Awareness is the first step in keeping yourself safe from locksmith scams. With the tips in this guide, you can be prepared to discover trustworthy locksmiths, sidestep deceptive practices, and have peace of mind that your home is being properly secured. Just remember — service may be something you pay for but the price should always be transparently reasonable. When you need a reliable, honest, and professional commercial or residential locksmith service look no further than East London Locksmith. This is what we want you to protect your home from as well as giving helpful tips on how to avoid scams that cause losing money.
