Do You Know How to Spot an Automotive Locksmith Scam?

You might not be aware, but there are locksmith scammers that prey on people when they find themselves in emergency situations. Imagine locking your keys in your car or locking yourself out of your house. You are frantic and panicked and likely not to think twice about hiring the first locksmith that answers the phone. However, that isn’t always a good thing. Keep reading to learn more about how to tell if you are being scammed by an automotive locksmith and why you should call Curley’s Key Shop instead!

1. Did they provide a firm estimate?

If the person you call answers the phone generically and upon hearing what your issue is cannot provide a firm estimate, that is a red flag. Legitimate locksmiths have seen and heard it all so when a common problem arises, they will know what the job will entail and how much—roughly—the job will be. Anyone that says $19.99 and up or something generic like that is probably going to scam you into paying hundreds.

2. Do they have company identification?

If the person that arrives on-site to handle the job does not have any identification, that is another big red flag. At Curley’s Key Shop, our locksmiths drive marked vehicles, wear company apparel, and if asked, can provide identification. If the locksmith showing up to do work for you doesn’t have any of that, consider passing on their services.

3. Do they accept credit cards?

Another thing you should ask before any work begins, or even over the phone before someone is dispatched, is whether or not they take credit cards. If the answer is no, this is a big red flag. Locksmith scammers typically only take cash because they can disappear without a trace and you cannot dispute the charges like you could on a credit card.

If you need an automotive locksmith, contact Curley’s Key Shop today!

If you are looking to avoid being taken advantage of by a locksmith scam, the best way to do that is to have a locksmith already programmed into your phone before the need arises. That is where Curley’s Key Shop comes into the picture. We have over 73 years of experience providing automotive locksmith services and you can always count on us to assist in your time of need.

We offer the following automotive locksmith services:

• Truck, van, or car lockout opening
• Duplication high security and GM VAT keys
• Extraction of broken keys
• Creation of keys with transponder chips
• Re-keying locks
• Cutting keys
• 24-Hour Locksmith Services

Don’t wait, program us into your phone today! And if you have any residential or commercial security needs, give us a call today at 909-622-6716 to learn more, obtain a quote, or request service!

To learn more about the reliable and quality locksmith services that we offer, visit us on the web at Curley’s Key Shop.