The industry is plagued by a growing number of unscrupulous individuals, commonly referred to as “backpacker locksmiths”; these uncertified service providers often resort to extortion tactics while posing as legitimate locksmiths. With an average of 300,000 emergency calls placed each day in the United States, incidents involving individuals being locked out of their homes or private cabinets have become increasingly common. It is no surprise then, that the incidence of locksmith scams has also risen and become almost ubiquitous across the industry. Such predatory locksmiths can be found operating under fictitious business identities, listing fake addresses or fraudulent business identity numbers. Potential clients may be lured by the prospect of cheap rates, but should be aware that these low-priced services may not be provided by certified professionals, and may in fact be the work of backpacker locksmiths. This article aims to help you avoid being scammed.

How to Spot and avoid BackPacker Locksmiths

 Thousands of honest pro locksmiths are registered in the United States but there are also those out to rip clients off and charge bills with exorbitant prices. In a bid to get your locks repaired or replaced, you may be dialing the wrong number or contacting a prey website for locksmith services. Many of these backpacker rip-offs can be easily identified by spotting basic details that ought to be followed. The professional locksmiths we’ve spoken with all agree that there are a few essential rules to remember in order to avoid being scammed by backpacker locksmiths.

Let’s take a look at these rules one by one;

Research what locksmith you want to hire

It is really important to check out the legitimacy of the locksmith agency you are about to hire. You can spare a few minutes to read reviews on credible locksmith agencies and choose one that is near your location. Preferably, have the contact of a locksmith service provider even before an emergency occurs and vet the details of the company before saving the contact. Eventually getting acquitted with your locksmith helps you establish the legitimacy of these individuals and avoid falling into the wrong hands. Since it is a matter of security, it is very important to find a reputable locksmith before you need one so you would avoid being conned by illegitimate locksmiths. 

Avoid agencies that do not give their names or mark their vehicles with the name

While contacting the locksmith agency you want to use, you must pay attention too what the responder says on the phone or while you are contacting them. Backpacker locksmiths do not give the name of their agency on the phone rather they use words like “locksmiths services”. The company must state its name while on the call or while contacting you online. This would help be advantageous to you as you can also make more research or get reviews of previous clients of the company. You also get to look into the credentials ad professional membership of the locksmith company. You should also check that the logos and names on the vehicles that reach your location match the details of the company you have chosen.  

Ask for the work estimate before it commences

While contacting the agency on phone, a price must have been quoted to you for the job. You should ask the locksmith about the service fee before the job starts to confirm what you must have spoken with on the phone. If the locksmith’s price does not match the one said on the phone, you should stop the service immediately.

Always ask as many questions as possible

You should not be afraid to ask the locksmith valuable questions every step of the way. A credible locksmith would assure you of the services that they are about to render and explain all you need to know.   

Ask for an itemized invoice of the job done

A credible locksmith would issue an itemized invoice to detail the tools that were used to fix the locks and the service charge. Having an itemized invoice would help clients refer back to the invoice in a case of perceived fraud.

Locksmithing is a key element of a comprehensive security process for any residential, commercial or industrial property, safe or storage unit. In addition to repairing or replacing locks, locksmiths offer a wide range of services such as deciphering safe codes, accessing vehicles with malfunctioning locks, and other crucial security services. Many locksmiths are experts who possess extensive knowledge of both domestic and commercial security. Oftentimes, individuals tend to rely heavily on locksmiths in times of desperation or when their immediate assistance is required. However, a significant portion of the general public holds an inherent mistrust towards the credibility of locksmiths, which can be attributed in part to “backpacker locksmiths”, unscrupulous individuals within the industry.

More information on this topic can be found on the 24/7 Cerrajero website in English https://tucson.247cerrajero.com/ and in Spanish https://247cerrajero.com/