What, can locksmiths, professionals of our locks, scam us? Well, it’s not as easy or literal as it reads, but it’s something very similar and it boils down to the fact that there are people who may not be locksmiths but have all the appearance of being one, and other people with certificates who may not have gotten them in the fairest way and still engage in fraudulent services that allow them to take advantage of people. If you want to know how to avoid scam locksmiths, stay to the end.
Tips to recognize fake locksmiths
They do not show their license
In case you didn’t know, locksmiths are not just people who decided to do locksmith services and magically gained the knowledge through experience. Las Vegas locksmiths have gone through courses, training, certifications and above all, the most important thing to call yourself a locksmith: The service license.
A quality locksmith should carry his license everywhere without exception, it is practically his most important weapon as it is the confirmation that he is part of the locksmith trade. So if the locksmith you are trying to hire refuses to show it to you, you better run, he is probably just an amateur or worse, a scammer.
Doesn’t give you a quote
Any type of service, be it locksmithing, construction, appliance installation, etc, should give you an estimate before starting a job. Usually this is a piece of paper or a clipboard that specifies what will be done, and how much everything will cost. Sometimes it can also be a verbal agreement, but they always specify the final cost after they have evaluated the problem, and they do not charge for doing an evaluation.
If the person is overly insistent that “After the job is done they will give you an estimate”, run away as fast as you can. He will probably charge you more than he should and end up scamming you. Always trust locksmiths who give an immediate quote with no changes, and that offers several locksmith services, not just one. An easy test you can do is ask them if they can open a lock and create a key for you from scratch, which is a somewhat difficult service.
No tools of his own
Every locksmith has his own truck, car, or other means where he has all his tools available to help you. If he does not have the proper tools, he is probably just an amateur who thinks that locksmith service is only about opening doors and there is nothing scientific about it.
Does not have a 24-hour service
This is not necessarily a scam, but it is important that you should take into account when hiring a locksmith or choosing one to be your trusted service. Remember that many times emergencies do not warn, they can happen today at seven in the morning, as they can happen at two in the morning. So make sure that the person you choose has 24 hours a day service. That way you won’t have to spend your emergencies alone and in despair waiting for the day to return to normal business hours.
