Last week I attended a meeting on Cyber Security and having arrived at the scheduled time of 7:00 am, rather than “Miami” time, I had ample time to talk with the speaker. We traded stories and he told me recently he was locked out of his home and learned that there is now fraud in the locksmith industry. Our conversation reminded me how few people know about locksmith fraud so I’m writing on it again. We turn to our smartphones for more and more answers but there are risks in doing so. Seniors, in particular, are vulnerable as when they get locked out, they call a family member, friend or the caregiver looks on her phone. It’s hot and they want to get inside quickly so too often they click on one of many 800 numbers. Doing this may lead down a dark path.
Toll free numbers for locksmiths are tied to call centers funded by international organized crime that use local “stringers.” One of their “locksmiths” goes to the home and after an “evaluation” says the lock cannot be repaired and must be drilled and replaced. The going rate is about $600 – and they only accept cash. They are untrained but install a new lock that often has to be replaced – and – they now have a key to the home. Do not ever use a toll free number to find a locksmith!
What to Do
In an Emergency:
- Call a friend or neighbor to find out if they have someone to refer; if the internet is the only option, look for a local business that has customer reviews; Yelp can be a good source for reviews.
- Ask for their business address and google it to make sure it is an actual locksmith business.
- Get an estimate, ask if the estimate covers the service call, emergency hours, ‘tool usage’, ‘paperwork’, ‘fuel surcharge’, or other fees.
- Tell them you want to see their business license when they arrive.
- If alone, ask someone to come over while they are there. If no one can come, use the phone to keep your “go to” person informed of the situation. Tell them you will contact them when the locksmith arrives; call them when the locksmith arrives and talk to them until the work is done. Tell them, in front of the locksmith, you will call them when the locksmith has left.
- Only as a last resort should the lock be drilled and replaced.
- Be careful! If locked out of a home and there is an uneasy feeling, call a neighbor and tell them to come over immediately or keep them on the phone live. Or, call the police and explain the situation.
Don’t wait for an Emergency – Do it NOW:
Don’t wait until an emergency to know what to do and what locksmith to call if needed.
- Have a family discussion about who (if there is someone) would be the best person to have a set of keys and who would be the “go to” person if no one can come with keys.
- Find a reputable locksmith through referrals from trusted friends and neighbors; call or visit their location and speak to the owner or manager; ask how they charge for home and auto lockouts. Ask to see their business license and sales tax certificate which is a requirement to business in each county in Florida (or have them send or email it to you. Put their telephone number into their cell phone and into the telephone of a family member or friend.
Cars Too!
Locksmith scams happen with vehicle lockouts too. If locked out of a car, especially in a parking lot, NEVER let any locksmith block your vehicle as it’s the only escape method. Scammers use this technique to threaten or intimidate the owner. If one ever feels uneasy, leave the vehicle, find a public area and call the police.
Have a plan. Do not let your loved-one face this situation alone and without a plan. For our clients we call the locksmith with whom we’ve done business but also immediately go to the client’s home to conduct the interaction and ensure all are safe and the repair is going according to plan.
