Avoid Car Opening Scams

Car opening scams are happening continually. In fact, the car opening scams are the easiest to pull off because you, the customer, are locked out of your car and you are probably panicking.  When people panic, they tend to overlook significant details.  Hopefully, you are reading this in order to be prepared for the first (or next!) time you lock your keys in your car.  I am warning you! Just because somebody advertises on the Internet does not mean they are ethical!

Here is how the scam works: You go to the yellow pages or the Internet and look under "locksmith".  You see the $14 - $19 service call and think to yourself, "Now that's a great price!"  You call the 1-800 number, or perhaps it is a local number.  A lady answers.  She tells you that the service call price is, in fact, $14 - $19; but she tells you that there is a small additional fee depending on differing situations.  Then you are told that the locksmith will call you. The locksmith shows up, opens your car, and presents you with a $200 bill. What do you do?

• Never call a 1-800 number.
• Never request a locksmith without a firm price over the phone. If you do not get a firm price, keep looking. The scams never give you a firm price so they can scam you!
• If a locksmith presents you with a bill you did not agree to, do not pay.  Instead, offer what you think is reasonable.  Hold fast. Tell the locksmith that you will not pay the bill.  Tell him the average is about $65 for that service and that is all you will pay.  He may threaten to sue you, but do not given in!  After a few minutes, he will back down.
• Never sign the bill without looking at the bill completely. Scam locksmiths often use their thumbs to cover the "new cost" on the bill, tricking you into signing. 
• Get the locksmith's vehicle license plate, name, etc., and alert your state's Department of Commerce and Insurance.