6 tips to avoid car locksmith scams

Have you ever been stranded outside your vehicle due to an inadvertent car lockout? Well, we bet that many of us have personally encountered the harrowing experience that follows a car lockout, especially when you are stuck at a remote location with no service providers nearby. While it is difficult to fight the temptation to simply smash the window and get back inside, we all know that the ideal solution can only be provided by a professional locksmith. In fact, hundreds of customers rely on locksmith professionals every week when they get stranded on the road due to a car lockout in Ansonia, CT. Unfortunately, some of these “locksmiths” are actually just fake technicians who have bare minimum knowledge of car locks. Their main agenda is to force distressed customers to shell out as much money as possible. And why wouldn't they? Imagine being stuck on a road with heightened anxiety and no help in sight. People would pay as much money as they can just to get back inside the vehicle. Some of these locksmiths also project themselves as an authentic company by mimicking the name and branding of an actual reputed locksmith. They’d make minor tweaks to the name to trick people into believing that they are the real service providers. Unfortunately, many customers take the bait and end up forking out 4x the money for a shoddy service. So what to do if you are facing a car lockout in Ansonia, CT and need immediate locksmith help? With this blog, we will give you some handy tips on the ways to avoid locksmith scams and avail the services of real, hard-working professionals who can actually save the day with a quick, cost-effective solution.

Check for ratings/reviews

While it is difficult to carry out research when you are in the middle of an emergency, we would advise you to spend at least a few extra minutes to check for the ratings and past reviews of the locksmith firm you have found on the internet. More often than not, it is a good indicator about the reputation of the locksmith. Plus, you can also call a close friend or a relative and seek recommendations about a reliable locksmith.

Never trust online ads

Scammers often use online ads to lure unsuspecting customers. Mostly, these ads promise dirt cheap prices or unbelievably quick response times, but they are often too good to be true. Don't trust ads that don't list a physical address or phone number. Instead, look for a locksmith that has a physical location and a local phone number. Plus, don’t just blindly trust Google search results, thinking that it would never show fake locksmiths. In fact, masquerading as real firms in search results is the modus operandi of most sham locksmith firms.

Always ask for identification

When a locksmith arrives, ask to see their identification and licensing. A reputable locksmith will be happy to show you their credentials, and they will be licensed and insured. There are many locksmith certification bodies in the country, that vouch for the veracity of a professional. If the technician can't provide this information or makes excuses, don't let them work on your locks.

Get a basic cost estimate (in writing)

Before the locksmith starts working, ask for a written cost estimate. This will help you avoid any surprises when it comes time to pay. Make sure the estimate includes all fees, such as service charges, labor costs, and materials. Usually, sham locksmiths avoid giving a cost estimate to the customers upfront and end up quoting a steep price at the end which would include a bunch of hidden charges. Thus, if the locksmith refuses to provide a written estimate, or if they won't give you an exact price, don't hire them.

Keep an eye on mode of payment

Reputed locksmith firms happily accept payments in the form of cash or credit. However, sham locksmiths usually ask for cash payments since they are not registered or don’t want the payments to reflect in their records. While you can always pay in cash if you want, the choice should rest with you and not the locksmith. Moreover, make sure that you do not pay them upfront. A reputable locksmith will not ask for payment upfront. Instead, they will complete the work and then provide a bill. If a locksmith asks for payment before they start working, or if they insist on cash payment, it could be a sign of a scam.

Dial Ansonia Locksmith Store for help

Of course, you can avoid even the slightest possibility of a locksmith scam if you store Ansonia Locksmith Store’s 24x7 helpline number 203-212-5688 on your speed dial. We are a trustworthy and experienced locksmith firm that has been catering to the diverse lock and key needs of residential, commercial, and automotive clients in Ansonia, CT for many years. Over the years, we have resolved countless car lockouts in Ansonia, CTwith our speedy response, quick service and affordable prices. Plus, we provide our services round-the-clock and in every corner of the city. So feel free to call us anytime and avail our tried and tested professional car lockout solutions.