Avoid Being Ripped Off! Points to Check to Spot Locksmith Scam

In the modern days, corrupt businessmen are taking advantage of people during their most vulnerable times. A locksmith scam that charges desperate auto owners and homeowners with overpriced emergency services has been one of the fastest growing crimes in Singapore. Unlicensed, bogus locksmiths charge more than five times the actual rate of a locksmith service for rescuing locked-out victims.

However, their modus is easy to spot. By keeping a strong presence of mind when faced with a locked out situation, you can avoid being ripped off and protect your properties from the risk of any malicious act.

1. Absence of Physical Office Address

If a locksmith company doesn’t provide a physical address in their advertisement, make sure to ask where their office is located when you call. Make sure that they supply invoices with the company’s name, contact number, and license number printed out on them.

2. Unclear Company Name

Fraud individuals often hide in many aliases or business names. Thus, they tend to answer calls with generic phrases like “locksmith service.” If they answer you this way, insist on asking the name of the business and their office address.

3. Copied Business Name

Apart from not having a clear company name, make sure that the locksmith company you’re talking to isn’t using the name of a reputable Singapore company. Many fraud individuals copy the names of legit businesses, making just enough changes so they’re technically not using the same business name. You definitely don’t want to deal with any of these companies.

4. Lowest Prices

Unwary costumers are easily attracted to these advertisements. If you really want to know how much the rightful lowest price is, call several 24 hour locksmith operator around Singapore and ask what the quoted price entails. Call the nearest locksmith and find out whether the quoted price is just the service fee and if further charges will be incurred on site.

5. Unmarked Vehicle

When a locksmith arrives, pay attention to the vehicle. Legitimate locksmiths arrive in a service vehicle clearly marked with the name of the company. While there may be some legit companies that use their personal car when on-call, this should situation is still a sign of fraud and thus should be treated with extra caution.

6. Destroying of Locks

As your locksmith checks the problem, ask how they are supposed to solve the situation. If they recommend drilling or getting rid of the lock entirely, that’s a warning sign of a fraud service. Legitimate locksmith Singapore should know how to get through any entry without damaging the lock. In most cases, a lock will only be removed if it’s defective.

7. Refusal for Cost Estimate

When calling a locksmith company, the first thing you want to ask is cost estimation. If they refuse to provide you an estimate, that’s a warning that they may charge you an exorbitant price. If they have given you an estimate, ask if it includes the service call, their mileage, and the emergency hours. Insist on getting a clear estimation that includes all costs.

8. Bad Reviews

The easiest way to check for a locksmith’s legitimacy is to look for reviews. Take time to check the company’s website. Have they had excellent reviews from previous clients? If there are good reviews, pay attention to how the reviews are written as some fraud companies can easily make them up with dummy accounts and users.

While most locksmith Singapore companies are excellent and legitimate service providers, there are still a few scam artists out there who take advantage on desperate consumers who are badly in need of help. If inevitably you happen to fall into such situation, make sure to avoid these unscrupulous people by keeping in mind these important points.