Being in need of a locksmith can sometimes mean a desperate situation. Being locked out of your house or car especially at an odd time of the day or night can have us looking for a fast and easiest solution. However, when it comes to our security and that of our homes an added layer of caution is required. A little bit of due diligence can go a long way in keeping you, your family and your property safe.
There are two main ways in which fake locksmiths can defraud unsuspecting customers:
High prices: Prying on the desperation of some clients, locksmith frauds charge extremely high prices. While some locksmith services are more expensive than others, these scamasters are only looking to make a quick buck. The price will be high, but the quality of service and equipment will be poor. Unskilled individuals posing as locksmiths could also cause a lot of damage to your home or car.
Security breaches: The second type comes in the form of thieves posing as a locksmith in order to get access to your car keys or security codes. These individuals might even be skilled at their job but use their skills with an ulterior motive. Once they have access to your property, it is just a matter of waiting till the coast is clear and either stealing your car or stealing valuables from your home.
Both these experiences are unpleasant and can leave you with more expenses with damages needing to be fixed. Also, you have to go through the hassle of an insurance claim, filing a police report and so on. Fortunately, with a little caution, these scenarios are completely avoidable.
Here are a few things you should look out for to make sure that you are hiring a genuine locksmith:
The car: A reputed locksmith company like Lock and Key Expert in Lenexa has a whole fleet of fully equipped company cars. Every car has the company logo, is painted in the company colors, and has information details like the website and phone number. By observing the type of car, a locksmith shows up in you can judge whether they are from a registered company or not.
The identification: All employees of a locksmith firm should have photo identification that they are happy to show the client. Lock and Key Expert has issued photograph IDs to all its employees. Any locksmith who doesn’t produce a genuine ID should be suspected of fraud. You can also ask for a license and registration number if you suspect a locksmith is not who they say they are.
The business card: The locksmiths of Lock and Key Expert all have printed business cards that they can leave behind with you. A business card is not just for contact information but is also a way for you to remember who exactly came to your home for a job in case of any problem that comes up. A locksmith that can’t produce a business card is probably not who they say they are and should be treated with caution.
The receipt: Always make sure you receive a receipt when you pay for a locksmith service. A genuine receipt with has the company logo and contact details printed on it. Lock and Key Expert has the company name, address and phone number printed clearly on the receipts along with a unique receipt number.
Hiring a locksmith without carefully checking their details can prove to be more harm than good. Don’t fall for gimmicks that promise quick service at low costs. Always make sure to check a locksmith company’s website and their location. Also, when looking for a locksmith, look for an ALOA (Associated Locksmiths of America) membership.
Call Lock and Key Expert when you look for locksmith near me.