Losing your car keys or locking your house keys in the trunk can be frustrating, but it can also be a red flag for scammers. Scammers posing as legitimate locksmiths may offer to come to your home or office to unlock your car or open a locked door. They may also offer to replace your locks if they’re broken or old. While these are legitimate services in some areas, scammers will charge you more than the real thing.You should never pay for services you don’t need or trust someone without verifying their identity. There are several ways to tell if someone is legit before hiring them:
Ask to see identification
When you call for a locksmith, you should always ask for identification. Scammers often don’t have identification, or they may have fake IDs. You can also ask for a phone number to call them back. Scammers will give you a phone number that doesn’t work and will never return your call.When you meet the locksmith in person, you should ask for identification again. If the person doesn’t have any form of identification like a driver’s license or ID card, they’re likely a scammer. If they refuse to show you their ID, that’s a red flag, too.
Ask for proof of insurance
Locksmiths must carry liability insurance to protect themselves from lawsuits. If a locksmith doesn’t have insurance, they’re likely a scammer. Scammers don’t carry liability insurance because it would be too expensive. They’ll often say they don’t carry insurance because they don’t need it.That’s not true. If they have an accident at your home or office and you sue them, they won’t have enough money to pay your claim. If you’re injured, they won’t have to pay your medical bills. If they damage your property, they won’t have to pay to fix it.You should never hire a locksmith who doesn’t have insurance. If they won’t show you proof of insurance, they’re likely a scammer. If you find yourself in a situation where you need a locksmith, call your local police department. They may be able to recommend a local business that is insured.
Ask for proof of licensing
Locksmiths must be licensed to work in your state. You can check to see if the company is licensed at the state’s website. You can also call the licensing board to confirm that the company is licensed. If a company doesn’t have a license, they’re likely a scammer. Scammers may not have a license, or they may not be properly registered with the licensing board.You should never hire a locksmith who doesn’t have a license. If they don’t have a license, they’re likely a scammer. If you need to file a complaint against a scammer, you can report them to the licensing board. If they’re not properly registered with the board, they may lose their license.
Don’t be fooled by a fake address
Scammers may use a fake address on their website or on their business cards. They may also use a fake address on their license or ID card. You should always check the address on public records to make sure the address is correct.You should never hire a locksmith who doesn’t have a physical address. If a company doesn’t have a physical address, they may be a scammer. Scammers may not have a physical address or may be operating out of a home or office that isn’t owned by them. You should always meet the locksmith at their address. If the address doesn’t match the address listed on their website or ID card, the company may be a scammer. You should always call the address listed on the website to make sure the company is legitimate.
Ask for proof of insurance and be ready to back out
Before you hire a locksmith, you should ask for proof of insurance. If a company doesn’t have insurance, they’re likely a scammer. If a company says they don’t carry insurance, you should be ready to back out of the deal.You should never hire a locksmith who doesn’t carry insurance. If a company says they don’t carry insurance, you should be ready to back out of the deal. If the company won’t provide proof of insurance, they’re likely a scammer.
Conclusion
Losing your car keys or locking your house keys in the trunk can be frustrating, but it can also be a red flag for scammers. Scammers posing as legitimate locksmiths may offer to come to your home or office to unlock your car or open a locked door. They may also offer to replace your locks if they’re broken or old.While these are legitimate services in some areas, scammers will charge you more than the real thing. You should never pay for services you don’t need or trust someone without verifying their identity. There are several ways to tell if someone is legit before hiring them.