5 tips to avoid car locksmith scams in Kansas
Cases of locksmith scams have been on the rise over the last few years with spurious technicians duping hapless customers by taking advantage of their situation. Recently, a resident of Kansas who had accidentally locked himself out of his house fell victim to one of these scams. The person called a locksmith off the internet who showed up at the house, made him sign on a blank on his phone to get "permission to enter" and then unlocked the door. The locksmith charged via debit card and promised to give a receipt later. But to the homeowner's horror, he discovered that he had been charged almost twice the amount that was quoted to him initially. When he tried to get in touch with the locksmith again, the person answering the phone denied sending a locksmith altogether.
Scams like these are now getting increasingly common, especially for vehicle owners who call up automotive locksmiths in Shawnee, KS after getting stranded due to a lock out or ignition issues.
How do people fall victim to fake locksmiths?
The modus operandi of sham locksmith firms is quite universal. These firms, which basically comprise a few technicians and phone operators, masquerade themselves as real locksmiths in search engine results. They smartly show up under generic names like “24x7 locksmiths” and attract attention by highlighting a very cheap service call price. Once the customer visits the website, they would see a genuine locksmith’s name embossed next to the fake agency’s helpline number. When the client calls, the operator claims to represent the firm, when in reality, it is just an untrained technician looking to make money out of someone’s misery.
So how do you trust automotive locksmith firms in Shawnee, KS?
There are some basic tips to bear in mind so that you can avoid running headfirst into a fake locksmith firm the next time you run into issues with your lock or keys.
No credentials, no job
The technicians who are engaged in locksmith scams are not real locksmiths at all. They are just people with basic understanding of lock and keys. All they can do is help restore access to the vehicle during a lock out. Naturally, they won’t be carrying any license or certification with them. Genuine locksmiths are given licenses that certify that they are qualified for the job. Always ask the visiting locksmith for identification to make sure they are authentic. Fake locksmiths do not even bother carrying forged documents since they know that most customers don’t check them. That’s why it becomes easier for them to fool helpless clients.
Get a proper cost estimate
No matter what type of locksmith issue you run into, never allow the technician to start the job without getting a basic cost estimate beforehand. Typically, locksmith scams start with scrupulous agencies attracting people with dirt cheap prices. But the people who show up at the location would dodge questions about the cost of service and avoid giving a real estimate. As a result, after restoring access, they are able to quote an insane amount of money which is almost 10-times the cost advertised on the website.
Thorough research goes a long way
Most people do not have the bandwidth to carry out thorough research while looking up for an emergency automotive locksmith in Shawnee, KS. But we advise you to dig deeper by spending a few extra minutes reading the reviews and testimonials from past customers. Google reviews are quite indicative of the service record of a company. You can definitely fake some, but not all. Plus, genuine locksmith firms invest in their websites so that the look and feel of the page can distinguish them from scam locksmiths who do not bother with these things.
Check for tell-tale signs
Do you notice whether the visiting locksmith is wearing a uniform with the company's logo written on it? Or whether they are carrying a proper toolkit that consists of hi-tech equipment? Have you ever taken note of how they generally approach you, answer your queries or communicate in general? If not, then it is time you start noticing these details. Technicians who are part of locksmith scams show up in regular clothes and have basic tools that are just good enough to resolve common lock outs. Plus, they often evade questions to avoid getting exposed and carry a rough demeanor. These are clear signs that you are dealing with an unprofessional and uncouth technician who just wants your money.
Keep a reputed firm's number on the speed dial
Of course, you can eliminate the need for the first four tips by having the number of a reputed locksmith firm on your speed dial. shawnee lock & locksmith, for instance, is one of the most highly-rated automotive locksmiths in Shawnee, KS. In business for many years, shawnee lock & locksmith provides prompt automotive locksmith solutions at fair prices. Over the years, we have helped countless customers regain access to their vehicles during lock outs with the help of our quickfire lock out assistance services. Plus, our technicians have in-depth knowledge of vehicular locks and can deliver an umbrella of solutions, no matter the hour of the day. Reach out to us anytime at 816-866-1577 for genuine automotive locksmith services in Shawnee, KS.