Tag: how to avoid locksmith scams

The Better Business Bureau Recommends This Before Hiring a Locksmith

By Pop-A-Lock | | No Comments

With the rise of locksmith scams, the Better Business Bureau suggests a few tips in order to find a reputable locksmith in your area.

Here are some things the BBB recommends you can do before hiring a locksmith:

Call the business. If the business answers the phone using a generic name like “locksmith services,” be leery. Ask for the legal name. If the person cannot give it, move on. Go with a company with a specific business name.

Get an estimate that includes all labor and the replacement parts for the lock. Reputable locksmiths will be able to give you an estimate over the phone. Ask about additional fees such as charges for overnight service calls or charges for mileage. If the locksmith gets there and price increases, don’t let them work on your car and don’t sign a blank document authorizing work.

Check credentials to make sure the locksmith is insured so you will be covered in case the repair leads to damages. Ask the locksmith for ID, a business card and a locksmith license. Check if the business name and logo on their business cards match the name and logo on the invoice and vehicle. A reputable locksmith also will request to see your identification to make sure it’s actually your property they are doing work on.

With these tips, you’ll be well on your way to finding the right locksmith for you. In any case, we at Pop-A-Lock Jacksonville are here for you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week! You can reach us by phone at 904-246-4590 any time you need us.

Questions You Should Ask Yourself When Hiring a Reputable and Legitimate Locksmith

By Pop-A-Lock | | No Comments

It seems like there are hundreds upon hundreds of locksmiths out there. But how do you know you’re hiring an honest and reputable one? Pop-A-Lock Jacksonville is here to help you demystify the process of finding a legitimate locksmith.

avoid locksmith scams
Avoid Locksmith Scams

 

What is this locksmith’s rating on the internet?
By looking up a locksmith’s internet rating on reputable sites like Yelp, Angie’s List and ServiceMagic can help provide insight on real consumer experiences. However, take care in knowing that some reviews may be fake. Fake reviews are usually done by the hundreds and if you check a review’s date, you’ll often find that many fake reviews are done on the same day – and many in multiples with 5-star ratings. Scammers will pay people to write fake, glowing reviews in order to bump up their ratings. But we know these are red flags that the reviews are, indeed, fake.

Is this locksmith on the Better Business Bureau (BBB) website?
Check the locksmith’s BBB rating by punching in their name to find out if they are accredited. If a locksmith company is not accredited by the BBB, don’t use it. Look for a B+ rating is considered a good rating.

Is this locksmith on FindALocksmith.com?
Findalocksmith.com is the official website of the Association of the Locksmiths of America (ALOA), a trade group for locksmiths. Members of this website must be professional locksmiths and must be in good standing with the association. Members in good standing will never be scammers.

Will the locksmith be in full uniform?
Call the locksmith and confirm their technicians and locksmiths will be in full uniform. You will know who they are when they show up to help you. Professional locksmith technicians will be in company uniform and drive a company vehicle that is clearly marked. Scammers often appear in street clothes in an unmarked car. If a locksmith shows up out of uniform in an unmarked vehicle, do not hire him or her.

And the last important step in finding a reputable locksmith is to know a good locksmith before you actually need one. By researching a good Jacksonville locksmith ahead of time, you will exactly who to call when an emergency situation arises.

Ask these questions and you’ll be sure not to be scammed by an unscrupulous locksmith. And if you have any questions at all, be sure to give Pop-A-Lock Jacksonville a call at 904-246-4590.