How to Detect an Auto Locksmith Scam

Having your car broken into is a stressful experience. And if the auto locksmith you call can't help – or worse, is a scammer – that adds insult to injury. Getting scammed by an unethical locksmith is never a fun experience, and scam artists can do work as a locksmith with false calls. Diego’s Locksmiths can help you avoid these scam artists.

There's been a rash of shady locksmiths in your area. There are crooks all over trying to steal from honest professionals. How can you avoid this? The short answer is research. But to make things easier for you, we've put together a few pointers that show you how to verify an auto locksmith before calling them out.

If you've ever been locked out of your car, you know how frustrating it can be. You're stuck in an inconvenient location, you're already late, and your mind is racing to think of a solution. If this has happened to you, there's a good chance that you've called a local auto locksmith.

If the locksmith is a legitimate auto locksmith service, they'll be able to provide you with a new set of keys and get you back on your way in no time. However, there are a lot of scammers out there who will take advantage of your situation by inflating their prices or using illegal tactics to open your car door.

Do They Have a Legitimate Website?

This is one of the easiest ways to tell if an auto locksmith is legitimate or not. Most scammers will pull up in unmarked cars, but legitimate businesses will have their logos on their vehicles. A website makes it easier for consumers to research the business before making contact and show that they are serious about their work. A legitimate site will also have proof of its insurance and licensing.

Is Their Address Listed?

If you call on a mobile phone, Google the business name and check their website. If there is no physical address listed on their site, you should avoid them. A legitimate locksmith that operates an emergency business will list their address on their site because they are proud of where they are located and want potential consumers to be able to find them in an emergency.

When Calling, Do They State Their Business Name?

You should also make sure that any auto locksmith you use has a phone number that matches the one that is on their website. If there is no contact number available, or worse yet, a toll-free number, you may want to look elsewhere for your car key replacement needs. A reputable auto locksmith will be able to provide you with a local phone number so that you can contact them at any time during business hours.

Verify Locksmith ID and License

Check the ID of the locksmith you're currently working with. Are they licensed? Do they have a license number on their business card? Can you find that license number in various databases to verify its authenticity? If you can't find any information about them, it's probably because they're running an auto locksmith scam. You should call your local police and find a new service provider.

Similarly, you should look for a local address and phone number on the locksmith's business card. If they don't have one, that's another warning sign. Some scammers work out of their cars and will use a cell phone number to fake legitimacy.

Request Cost Estimate

Many disreputable locksmiths will promise you a low price over the phone and then charge you the maximum amount allowable when they arrive—and they may even try to add extra fees while they are there. If they insist on giving you an estimate instead of giving you one over the phone and can't provide it in writing, then they are likely scammers.

Diego's Locksmith

Scams are a significant problem in the automotive industry, but if you have been locked out of your vehicle or need to have your ignition fixed, you should use Diego's Locksmith.

Our company offers locksmith services at reasonable prices. We will never take advantage of our clients by adding hidden fees that were not quoted initially when we provided our services.

Call now to speak with a professional from Diego's Locksmith right away.

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