Prevent Yourself from Becoming a Victim to Locksmith Scams
In recent times, the surge of locksmith scams continues to occur, not only in the UK but across the globe. Unfortunately, people who choose to do bad things in exchange for some cash will stop at nothing to fool people into thinking they mean good.
With unreliable locksmiths, they’ve mastered the technique of tricking homeowners into gaining their trust, later on scamming them for their own benefit. One recognised method involves burglars pretending to be locksmiths, passing out fake leaflets and attaching stickers outside homes that they think are easy to trespass and steal from.
Other locksmith scams are homeowners dealing with locksmith emergencies and paying a considerable fee, which is actually unnecessary. If you want to avoid becoming a victim of locksmith fraud, keep reading below to find out what you need to do.
Research on Reliable Locksmith Companies
Even before you experience an incident concerning the doors and locks of your home or car, you must make sure to have a locksmith you can depend on, especially during emergencies. You must spend time researching locksmith companies online and learn their backgrounds, ensuring you stay away from those that aren’t licensed and certified.
Be wary about locksmith businesses offering cheaper than average rates and don’t have enough customer reviews to back their services. They could be a potential fraud that makes a habit out of preying on desperate individuals.
It’s always better to be safe than sorry, so if you’ve accumulated a good list of locksmiths in your area, you could call them up one by one to get to know their company and rates better. As much as possible, you should settle for a locksmith that doesn’t charge when they can’t fix your issue.
Stay Alert and Observe Your Surroundings
Trouble can often happen right under your nose, so it’s best to remain on your toes at all times. Before you schedule locksmith services, you should monitor your vicinity for anything suspicious. If there are stickers or posters within your area you’ve never seen before, remove them right away.
If a locksmith has recently done work for you and you allowed them to attach a sticker to your door, you should take care of other advertisement stickers you’re unfamiliar with that you don’t know about. Other instances that will require you to stay on the lookout include recent burglaries in your neighbourhood.
You never know when bad people will strike next, so instead of solely relying on the police to come to the rescue, you should take the matter into your hands and lock your doors and windows. The moment you witness anything unusual happening outside your home, report it to the police.
Be Present at Home on the Day of the Job
After you book an appointment with a locksmith to change your locks at home and they arrive on schedule, you must guarantee you know the total cost to avoid encountering surprise fees. Even before they begin operating on your doors, you should already know the expenses involved.
Moreover, if you have a gut feeling that something isn’t right, you should stay by your locksmith’s side and write down their vehicle’s plate number in case. Once they’re done with their job, and you still feel uneasy, you could request an invoice complete with their company information.
Conclusion
Prevent Yourself from Becoming a Victim to Locksmith Scams
It’s never a bad thing to be too careful because you don’t know when you and your family are at risk of experiencing a crime right in the comfort of your own home. When you require lock repairs for your doors, you should guarantee your locksmith is someone you can trust. Do your research beforehand, stay alert and observant, and watch over the locksmith you hired on the day of the job.
Are you looking to hire an emergency locksmith in London for your home? Locksmith Emergencies offers locksmith solutions, focusing on rim and night latches, locked doors, lock change, smart locks, burglary repairs, and more. Get in touch with us today to receive a quote!