The safety of your home is very important, and being scammed by a locksmith service is something you don’t want to experience.
Here’s the truth: there are some residential locksmiths in Phoenix, AZ, that are like wolves in sheep’s clothing. If you’re not careful, you may fall for their fake special website pricing.
Are we saying that it’s difficult to find a genuine locksmith service that offers end-of-year discounts? No, you just need to know what to look out for to avoid being a victim of an end-of-year scam during a lockout.
Well, you’re not alone. We can help. In this blog post, we’ll show you some things you should look out for to avoid locksmith discount scams. We’ll also show you how to find a reputable locksmith service this holiday season.
Let’s get started!
Key Highlights
- If you’re in a lockout situation, don’t be in haste to reach out to any locksmith service that offers a very low price. You could end up being scammed.
- If you find out that a locksmith is trying to scam you, ask them to show you a detailed invoice. This will help you to know if there are hidden fees.
Understanding Locksmith Scams in Phoenix, Arizona
Do you know that locksmith service scams have a common pattern? The aim is to use your desperate situation to gain more money for themselves.
For instance, imagine your car keys are missing or your door locks get faulty in the middle of the night. This will make you desperate to find a new key or a quick key cutting or repair lock service.
In this kind of situation, scammers are ready to step in. They know that first-time customers in this situation may likely be looking for discount locksmith services to unlock their property. So, they’ll use catchy and fake advertising to get new Arizona customers.
They’ll claim to offer very low pricing. But when you hire their services, they’ll tell you about some hidden fees and hold your keys hostage until you comply.
This is why you should be very careful whenever you see specific website discount pricing that looks too good to be true.
The rise of fake locksmith ads during the holiday season
We all know how busy the holiday season can be, especially at the end of the year. Many people want to travel, and they may need auto locksmith services for their vehicle.
Well, scammers are also on the lookout during this period. They know that many people will be desperate to get quick and cost-effective services.
That’s why they’ll claim to help potential customers by using fake locksmith advertisements on social platforms like YouTube.
They’ll also promise them a low price for their services, which is not true. Especially when they need a new key, laser key cutting, or rekeying services.
Some of these scammers use the “bait and switch” tactic. They might tell you that they charge a very small amount for a specific service.
But when they come to your location, they’ll check the issue and claim that it will require additional work.
They can tell you that a rekey service is what you need when a simple unlock service can solve the lockout problem.
If you try to ask many questions, they’ll justify the price and make you feel you don’t value your car or home security.
Identifying Legitimate Locksmith Services
You need to pay attention to every detail if you want to protect yourself from locksmith service scams. Don’t just focus on the cheap prices; you may even be risking the safety of your home or property.
Here is something every car or homeowner should do to find out if the locksmith service is legitimate.
Verifying credentials and reviews: A must-do step
Before you hire any locksmith service, you need to check their online reviews and ratings. Whether you want a keyless entry system for your home, a new key for your car, or even a garage door repair, make sure you check the reputation of the locksmith company.
You can find out what their previous customers are saying about their commercial locksmiths’ or auto locksmiths’ services. Ensure you check if their pricing is transparent and if they provide quality services like they claim.
If there are many negative reviews from their customers, it could be a sign. You may need to reach out to another locksmith.
Steps to Take if You Encounter a Locksmith Scam
Sometimes you may find yourself in a locksmith scam, especially when you’re looking for holiday promotions. But the big question is this: what should you do in such a situation?
It’s important to know what you can do to protect yourself from further financial loss. Here are some important actions you should take quickly.
Immediate actions to protect your rights and property
If you’re suspecting that a locksmith is trying to scam you, stop at once. Tell them to provide you with a detailed invoice. Make sure they show you all the charges before they start any work on your property.
If the locksmith refuses to provide one, tell them that you’re no longer interested in their services. Don’t ever feel pressured to pay more than the agreed price.
If the locksmith insists or tries to seize your keys, ensure you take photos and videos as evidence. Then, use it to make a report to the authorities.
Reporting fraudulent services to authorities in Phoenix, Arizona
It’s very important to report a locksmith service scam to the authorities. This will help to protect others from becoming victims. You can reach out to the Phoenix Police Department’s non-emergency line to file a report.
You can also make a complaint to the Arizona Attorney General’s office. Reach out to their Consumer Fraud division.
Then, give them all the important details. Things like the company’s name, their contact, the type of services they offer, and any other document you have about them. If the locksmith uses an online platform, report the scam to that platform too.
A Few Words From Us!
We know that you may want to prefer an affordable locksmith service. Especially with the usual increase in price at the end of the year. However, make sure you don’t just focus on the low price, it might just be a tactic to get you scammed.
There are still reputable locksmith companies like Alcatraz locksmith, who can provide you with quality services and transparent pricing. They’ll ensure all your questions about their services are properly answered.
If you live in Arizona, the United States of America, then Alcatraz Locksmith is the right locksmith company for you.
Whether you need to rekey your locks, install a new key security system, or upgrade your locks, we’ve got you covered.
Our professional locksmiths are certified and will ensure you get quality services at affordable prices. Contact us today!
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the red flags of a locksmith scam?
They would offer you a very low price and some of them will refuse to show you a written estimate of their charges.