LocksmithScams.com™ Ongoing Locksmith Scams - Consumer Alerts! BBB Warns Consumers of NATIONWIDE Locksmith Swindle You may have been a victim and not even know it. For Immediate Release Arlington, VA - July 10, 2007 - The Better Business Bureau (BBB) today is warning consumers to beware of untrustworthy locksmith companies that are ripping off consumers across the country. Victim complaints to the BBB reveal that several locksmith companies, all using similar methods, are significantly overcharging consumers, charging consumers for unnecessary services, using intimidation tactics, and failing to give refunds or respond to consumer complaints. "Ironically, these companies operate under names like 'Dependable Locksmith' but in reality they exploit the vulnerable situation of consumers who are locked out of their house or car," said Steve Cox spokesperson for the BBB System. "We've found that some locksmiths have made taking advantage of consumers' misfortune part of their business model." Complaints about locksmith services to the 114 BBBs serving the U.S. increased almost 75 percent from 2005 to 2006, and have continued to come in steadily during the first half of this year. The BBB has identified Dependable Locksmith - which operates under more than a dozen different names - as a particularly disreputable locksmith. This company poses as a local locksmith in cities across the country and advertises in the yellow pages using local phone numbers and fake local addresses. A consumer might think they're dealing with a local locksmith but their phone call is actually connected to a call center located in the Bronx borough of New York City. Consumers are quoted a reasonable price over the phone but when the locksmith arrives - typically in an unmarked vehicle - he demands significantly more money than originally quoted, often only accepting cash. A complaint from Cleveland, OH, where Dependable Locksmith was operating under the name "Superb Solutions," alleges the company quoted fees of $39 and $84 for separate jobs, but the bill ended up at $471, which included add-on fees such as a $65 breaking in fee and a $58 fee to uninstall old locks. Another complainant reported that the locksmith sent to let her into her car demanded she pay twice the price quoted over the phone. The locksmith offered to drive her to an ATM to get cash - feeling unsafe the victim refused. The victim was ultimately forced to write a check made out personally to the locksmith as he would not let her into her car until she did so. She cancelled payment on the check the next morning, but eventually filed a police report after the locksmith harassed her with continuous phone calls about payment. The BBB has also heard many complaints from victims who say they were charged for unnecessary services. For example, complainants suspect locksmiths sent over by Dependable Locksmiths of pretending they couldn't simply pick the lock so that they could charge more and install all new locks in homes. Some of Dependable Locksmith's aliases include, Superb Solutions, Locksmith 24 Hour, Inc., USA Total Security, Priceline Locksmith, and S.O.S. Locksmith. Two other locksmith contractors fleecing consumers are Basad, Inc. - which operates under more than 50 names nationwide, such as A-1 Locksmith Service, A-1 24 Hour Locksmith, A-1 Lock & Key Locksmith, and AAA Locksmith 24 Hour - and Liberty Locksmith. Similar to Dependable Locksmith, they pose as local locksmiths and run full-page yellow pages ads with multiple phone and address listings. The phone numbers appear to be local, but connect to national call centers such as Liberty's in New York City, while the addresses end up belonging to other established businesses in the local area, or are simply non-existent. Liberty Locksmith had been a BBB member in Tulsa, OK, but during normal BBB member validation processes, it was discovered that the addresses provided by the company were false. In June 2007, the BBB terminated the membership of Liberty Locksmith for providing false information in its membership application and providing misleading advertisements to the public. Like others, Liberty Locksmith and Basad, Inc. use common cons such as quoting one price over the phone, but then charging significantly more on site. "These companies are very good at posing as trustworthy locksmiths," said Mr. Cox. "Before you find yourself in the unfortunate position of being locked out of your car or house, do your research and find a truly dependable locksmith in your area. Ask around and always check with the BBB first to find reputable businesses." If you feel you've been taken advantage of by Dependable Locksmith, Liberty Locksmith, Basad. Inc., or others, please contact the BBB to file a complaint, or do so online at www.bbb.org. # # #
LocksmithScams.com™ (Coming soon) Consumer: Have YOU as a consumer been ripped off by a locksmith who advertised as "local", who quoted one thing, and charged 10 times as much: ~ Only to find you have no recourse because they're located out of state...? ~ Are you tired of looking online and having the first 50 or more listings all being the same out of state, unlicensed, locksmith...? ~ Do you wish you had had a central resource to warn you away from the "bad guys" BEFORE they did you wrong...? ~ And a good resource where you could choose from validated, licensed locksmiths instead of trusting supposedly "local" Yellow Page ads...? Locksmiths: Have you as a licensed or otherwise legal locksmith, who takes pride in their work, seen your business adversely impacted by rogue, gypsy locksmiths out of New York who: ~ Cram your local Yellow Pages with fake ads using misleading "local" information...? ~ Stuff the online ad spaces with similar ads, pushing yours to the bottom...? ~ Auto create thousands and thousands of duplicate pages for the web search engines so your website gets pushed back to the point it's never found...? ~ Ripping off your customers...? ~ Performing shoddy or unnecessary work, leaving the customer insecure and the clean up to you...? ~ Giving locksmiths a bad name, etc...? Purpose of LocksmithScams.com™: It's time we as locksmiths stopped working at cross purposes, holding our non-essential secrets dear, and watching our businesses and reputations suffer as a result. Locksmithing is an ancient, skilled art when done correctly, and we should do all we can to protect the art itself, as well as the interests of our customers, who rely on us for safety, security, and skilled workmanship. Our customers, our reputation, and word of mouth is what keeps this ancient skill alive, keeps our businesses healthy, and is our bread and butter. We must work together, along with our customers, to educate each other, and our customers, share resources, take action, create goodwill and more... This will be a full portal gathering place for both locksmiths, and consumers. Our intent is that this be a central source for everyone with a vested interest to work together to wage the war against Priceline / Superb Solutions / Dependable Locks and other ripoff locksmith scammers of their kind. Reporting, state locksmith organization links, licensing verification links, referrals, "bad/ripoff locksmith" list, validated "GOOD locksmith" list, locksmith laws applicable to your state, action, resources, customer education, locksmith education, proposed or pending legislation, community and more... Contact Us: If you have content you would specifically like to see on this site, questions, concerns, etc., please e-mail us by clicking here. Please also let us know if you'd be interested in moderating for a specific section or state. Moderation duties "could" include verifying the legal standing of locksmiths from your state that wish to be listed as referrals, keeping track of various links that apply to your state, message board oversight for your specific area or state, etc. Estimated time commitment; 2 hours per week. *By the way, as a couple of folks have so kindly pointed out, some of the ads on this page advertise the very people we're not happy with, and what's up with that? Well, that was kind of the point. :) Granted, the point is not fully thought out yet, but it tickles me in a way as it is right now... 1) Don't you find it deliciously ironic that the very people who are scamming the most folks, show up on a page that specifically warns folks that they are doing so? 2) And better yet, if, by chance, someone does click on one of these ads, the scammers have to pay Google for the privilege, and I'm certainly not complaining that I benefit as well - It costs them money, and money they're not likely to recoup, at least not coming off this site, as the folks coming through here have been warned. Kind of cool in a twisted, weird kind of way, eh? ;) Bookmark us today! (Site launch date: Any year now - We'll get there, promise.)
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