Beware of Scammers!

Always Check to See if Your Locksmith is Legitimate. Beware, here are JUST A FEW reported scams that the Northwest Locksmith Association have found…

(All articles and links listed below are not the property of or was written by any member of the NWLA. The NWLA would like to thank and give proper credit to all authors and organizations that have provided us with this information.)

Did You Know…

Over 92% of listed locksmiths online and in the phone book are non-licensed scam artists. Don’t be their next target.

Strange device opens car doors–keep no valuables inside

Some crooks are using an electronic gadget to open cars that’s so new, few police have heard of it. Until there’s a fix, keep no valuables in your car.

Keys to Avoiding Locksmith Fraud

Locking yourself out of your car or home is frustrating enough. But imagine calling a locksmith then being charged double – or even more – the quoted fee. The Attorney General’s Office receives complaints every per month about so-called “local” locksmiths pulling a bait-and-switch. In many cases, these “locksmiths” arrive in unmarked vehicles, damage doors in their feeble attempts to pick locks and still demand more money. Most consumers who filed complaints with us searched for “locksmith” on the Web and clicked on a top-ranked listing. Read more…

East Coast Locksmiths Ripping Off Seattle Customers

by JESSE JONES / KING 5 News – Bio | Email | Follow: @getjesse

We get Jesse so we don’t get taken by the scam of the week. This warning is about the importance of unlocking the truth about locksmiths.

Complaints of Shady Locksmiths on the Rise

You need a plumber, electrician or locksmith, so you grab the phone book or go online to look for one.
You see an ad for a company that promises quick, reliable service and low-low prices.
Before you make the call you’d better check them out.

“There are a lot of scams out there and a lot of frauds and there are a lot of people posing as companies that really aren’t legitimate companies. ” Read more…

Shady Locksmiths on CBS news

Published on YouTube May 24, 2012 by Ethan Genzel

Locksmith Scam Customers in Atlanta, Georgia.

Keys to Avoiding Locksmith Fraud

Legitimate locksmith companies may also use similar names to improve their position in business directories, so use the following tips from the Federal Trade Commission to help avoid a scam:

Be wary of locksmith companies that answer calls with generic phrases like “locksmith services,” rather than a specific name. If a locksmith cannot or will not provide the business’ legal name, find another locksmith.
When the locksmith arrives, ask for identification, including a locksmith license where applicable. Alabama, California, Illinois, Louisiana, New Jersey, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Tennessee and Texas all require locksmiths to be licensed.
Get an estimate before any work begins, including emergency service.
Ask about extra charges for things like emergency hours, mileage or service call minimums before you agree to have the work performed.
If the locksmith’s on-site price doesn’t match the phone estimate, don’t allow the work to be performed.
Most legitimate locksmiths will arrive in a clearly marked vehicle.
If you’re locked out, be cautious of companies that recommend or insist on drilling or replacing the lock up front. Most experienced locksmiths have the skills and tools to unlock almost any door.

Be wary of these aliases

Dependable Locks Inc., which made our National Worst list this year, allegedly used a variety of aliases to appear as local companies in business directories across the country. Read more…

Beware of Scammers!

Strange device opens car doors–keep no valuables inside

NWLA Recommended:

NWLA News

Keys to Avoiding Locksmith Fraud

East Coast Locksmiths Ripping Off Seattle Customers

Complaints of Shady Locksmiths on the Rise

Shady Locksmiths on CBS news

Keys to Avoiding Locksmith Fraud

Be wary of these aliases

Recommended Links and Downloads from the NWLA