Locked out? Don't fall for this locksmith scam

Herb Weisbaum • Profile • E-mail

Most locksmiths are honest. A few are not. According to a new warning from the Better Business Bureau, these untrustworthy locksmiths are “ripping off consumers” across the country. The BBB says this “nationwide locksmith swindle” has already resulted in more than a thousand complaints.

“We know that there are thousands more people across the country who have been victims and don’t even know it,” says Alison Preszler with the Council of Better Business Bureaus.

The BBB blames most of the problem on two companies: Dependable Locksmith (New York) and Basad Inc. (Englewood, Colo.). These two firms also operate in other major cities across the country using dozens of generic aliases, such as AAA Locksmith, A-1 Locksmith and 24 Hour Locksmith – names that are also widely used by reputable companies.

The BBB says unhappy customers complain that Dependable and Basad significantly overcharge, charge for unnecessary services, and use intimidation tactics. In some cases, the final bill is four times as much as the quoted price.

“They have made taking advantage of people who are locked out of their house or car part of their business model,” Preszler says.

Tips for choosing a locksmith What's in a name? Unscrupulous individuals often operate under many business names or aliases. They may answer the phone with a generic phrase like, “locksmith service” or simply “locksmith”.  If the call is answered this way, ask, "What is the legal name of your business." Unclear advertising: Look closely at the ad(s) in the yellow pages. Is the specific name of the business clearly identified?  Does the ad look similar to other ads but have a different name?  Does it appear that the dealer actually operates under several names? Unmarked car: Some legitimate locksmiths will work out of a car or unmarked van for quick jobs, but most should arrive in a service vehicle that is clearly marked with the name of the business. Ask for identification: A legitimate locksmith should ask for identification and some form of proof that you have the authority to allow the unlocking to be done. A legitimate locksmith should also provide you with identification in the form of a business card or invoice with the company name on it. Identifying information should also match the name on the service vehicle. Get an estimate: Find out what the work will cost before you authorize it. Never sign a blank form authorizing work. Demand an invoice: Insist on an itemized invoice. You can't dispute a charge without proof of how much you paid and what you paid for. Just say no: If you are not comfortable with the service provider, you can, and should, refuse to work with the locksmith. Source: The Council of Better Business Bureaus

In Oak Creek, Wis., Carol Pintar was locked out her car on a cold night in December. She looked in the Yellow Pages and found a locksmith in nearby South Milwaukee. They told her the price would be $35.

The locksmith arrived in an unmarked vehicle, rather than a commercial van. That’s usually the case with these dishonest operations. Pintar said he demanded payment upfront – another warning sign. But the price wasn’t $35 as quoted. It was $95.

“I did give him the money, but I really felt funny about the whole situation,” she says. “I just knew it was some kind of scam, so I called the Better Business Bureau.”

The BBB’s Alison Preszler told me, “Many victims have come to us and said they knew they were being taken advantage of, but felt helpless to argue.”

Show me the money
Noelle, who lives in Cleveland, Ohio felt that way. She asked me not to use her last name because she has already been harassed by the company. Last August, after returning to a friend’s house from a rock concert, Noelle realized she had locked her keys in the car. It was 2 a.m.

Noelle looked in the phone book and found “24-Hour Locksmith.” She called and was told the charge would be $40. When the locksmith arrived – in an unmarked vehicle – he told Noelle he’d have to break the door to get it open. “He said he’d have to use a crow bar or break the window,” she told me.

But there was a better option. For another $60, he could use a Slim Jim and pop the door open with no damage. Noelle agreed to the new fee of $100.

Once the door was open, Noelle was told the bill was $250.

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