BBB Alert: Locksmith Swindle On The Rise

CONSUMER ALERT

Locksmith Swindle on the Rise

· Untrustworthy locksmith companies are ripping off consumers in Memphis

· A local phone number doesn’t always mean a local locksmith

· TN enacted a locksmith licensing program in July 2008

April 9, 2009 – The Better Business Bureau is warning consumers to be wary of untrustworthy locksmiths operating in the Mid-South. Some “local” locksmith companies are not physically located in the area, but are simply distant call centers that farm the jobs out to unlicensed and unprofessional locksmiths who may end up doing more harm than good.

According to Kara Peifer, West TN Locksmith Association Secretary/Treasurer, a consumer who searches for a locksmith in a yellow pages directory or online may not end up with the local business they think they are contacting. “The local yellow pages directories list over 150 locksmiths in each book,” said Peifer, “and if you search online, you may end up with as many as 850 names of reputed locksmiths in the Memphis area. Many have no physical location here.”

Peifer says that the proliferation of unlicensed locksmiths is one reason that states are beginning to enact locksmith licensing laws. “Nine states have already passed these laws,” Peifer stated. “The TN Locksmith Licensing Program was enacted in July 2008.”

“Unlicensed locksmiths tend to move from state to state, leaving when the heat gets turned up in one location,” said Peifer. Pam Smith, Administrative Assistant with the TN Locksmith Licensing Program agreed.  “We’re seeing this problem all over the state,” Smith said. “It’s everywhere.”

The State of TN requires individual locksmiths to be licensed and locksmith companies to be registered with the state. Additionally, either the license or registration number must be printed on all business cards and advertising. The State of TN has both education and experience requirements for each level of licensing. And persons convicted of fraud or theft are not eligible.

“Because locksmiths are able to access secure areas and data, they could potentially be a Homeland Security threat,” Peifer said. She hopes that public awareness of the locksmith licensing requirements will help protect both consumers and her profession.

The Better Business Bureau of the Mid-South offers the following tips for hiring a reputable locksmith:

· Check out the company with the BBB, preferably before you need a locksmith’s services.

· Ask the locksmith who shows up for identification and his TN license or registration number.

· Find out if the locksmith is insured to cover any damage incurred during a repair.

· Expect the locksmith to ask you for identification. A legitimate locksmith will confirm your identity and make sure you are the property owner before doing any work.

· Be wary of locksmiths who answer the phone with generic sounding names like “locksmith services”. Always ask for the legal name of the business and its physical location.

· Be wary of locksmiths who arrive in unmarked vehicles. Most legitimate locksmith companies will have vehicles that are clearly marked with the company’s name.

· In case of a lock-out, be cautious if you are told up front that the lock has to be drilled and replaced. An experienced, legitimate locksmith has invested in the tools and education to be able to unlock almost any door.

· If you are a victim of an unscrupulous locksmith, file a complaint with the BBB at bbb.org. Complaints should also be filed with the State of TN Locksmith Licensing Program by calling Pam Smith at 615.532.9170 or online at www.tn.gov/commerce/boards.

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Tel: 901-757-8627

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3693 Tyndale Drive

Memphis, TN 38125

I received this the other day, and wanted to pass on this very valuable info!

Watch out & be safe!

Sincerely,

Thomas “Trapper” Sherwood
Sherwood Locksmithing

http://www.personalsafetyebook.com

Tips for Picking a Locksmith

What’s the best way to pick a reputable locksmith? Consider researching locksmiths before you need one, the same way you would a plumber, electrician, or other professional. That works well if you’re looking to have some security work done at your home, like installing deadbolts on the exterior doors of your house, or a safe in your bedroom.

But if you’re dealing with an emergency, like being locked out of your car, you really don’t have much time for thorough research.

Regardless of whether you are locked out of your car or home, you need new locks installed, or you require other security work, the FTC offers these tips to help you hire a legitimate, local locksmith.

In emergency situations:

• If you’re locked out of your car and have a roadside assistance service, call them first. These services sometimes are included with the purchase of a car, or as an add-on through your insurance company. You also can buy this service separately. Roadside assistance plans often have a list of pre-approved companies to perform services like unlocking cars, jump-starting batteries, changing flat tires, delivering gasoline, and towing.
• Call family or friends for recommendations.
• If you find a locksmith in the phone book, on the Internet, or through directory assistance, and a business address is given, confirm that the address belongs to that locksmith. Some disreputable companies list street addresses to give the impression that they’re local. But the addresses may belong to other businesses or vacant lots, if they exist at all. You can verify addresses through websites that allow you to match phone numbers with street addresses. Some legitimate locksmith companies may not include a street address in their listing either because they operate a “mobile” business or they operate their business out of their home and may be reluctant to list that address. If you call a locksmith who doesn’t list an address, ask why. If the answer is that it’s a “mobile” business, you will understand they have no storefront.
• Write down the names of several businesses, their phone numbers, and addresses for future reference, in case you don’t want to go with the first locksmith you call.
• If a company answers the phone with a generic phrase like “locksmith services,” rather than a company-specific name, be wary. Ask for the legal name of the business. If the person refuses, call another locksmith.
• Get an estimate for all work and replacement parts from the locksmith before work begins. In cases of “lock-outs” (being locked out of your car or home), most legitimate locksmiths will give you an estimate on the phone for the total cost of the work.
  • Ask about additional fees before you agree to have the locksmith perform the work. Companies may charge extra for responding to a call in the middle of the night. Ask if there is a charge for mileage, or a minimum fee for a service call.
  • If the price the locksmith provides when he arrives doesn’t jibe with the estimate you got on the telephone, do not allow the work to be done.
  • Never sign a blank form authorizing work.
• Find out if the locksmith is insured. If your property is damaged during a repair, or if faulty work leads to loss or damage, it’s important for the locksmith to have insurance to cover your losses.
• When the locksmith arrives, ask for identification, including a business card and, where applicable, a locksmith license. Nine states require locksmiths to be licensed: Alabama, California, Illinois, Louisiana, New Jersey, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Tennessee and Texas. In addition to a business card, check to see if the invoice includes the company’s name, and whether the locksmith’s vehicle has a name that matches the business card, invoice, and/or bill.
• Expect the locksmith to ask you for identification, as well. A legitimate locksmith should confirm your identity and make sure you’re the property owner before doing any work.
• Some locksmiths will work out of a car for quick or emergency jobs, but most will arrive in a service vehicle that is clearly marked with their company’s name.
• In the case of a lock-out, be cautious if you’re told up front that the lock has to be drilled and replaced. An experienced legitimate locksmith has invested in the tools and education to provide quality service, and can unlock almost any door.
• After the work is completed, get an itemized invoice that covers parts, labor, mileage, and the price of the service call.
  In situations where you have more time, check out locksmiths with your state Attorney General (www.naag.org), local consumer protection agency (www.consumeraction.gov), and the Better Business Bureau (www.bbb.org) to make sure there are no unresolved complaints on file. (You can get the phone numbers for these organizations in your phone book, through directory assistance, or through Web directories.) This is true whether you need a locksmith for a one-time job, or you want to hire someone to work for you on a continuing basis.

  You must be able to trust your locksmith. You don’t want to give access to the locks for your home, car, or place of business to just anyone.

  Any question? Feel free to call me.

  Sincerely,

  Thomas “Trapper” Sherwood
  615 355-5886
  Sherwood Locksmithing

The Keys to Hiring a Reputable Locksmith

If you’ve ever locked yourself out of your car or home, you know what a hassle it can be. Your first thought is to get someone to help you out of your situation. If a family member or friend can’t deliver a spare set of keys, your next call might be to a local locksmith. But before you make that call, consider this: According to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), the nation’s consumer protection agency, some locksmiths advertising in your local telephone book may not be local at all. They may not have professional training. What’s more, some of them may use intimidating tactics and overcharge you.

When “Local” Is Really Long-Distance.

Consider this scenario: A company far away from your town chooses a name for its business that is very similar to the name used by a local locksmith. The company advertises in the phone book or on the Web using a local telephone number and local address. When you call the number, you’re actually connected to a call center in another city. What’s more, there’s no locksmith shop at the address listed.

You may be quoted a price on the phone, but when the locksmith arrives, often in an unmarked vehicle, he may want significantly more money. The locksmith also may accept only cash.

Some who claim to be “local locksmith” companies have multiple listings (sometimes 30 or more separate listings in a single phone book) with different names. But the calls to each of these numbers go back to the same central number in a distant city where operators dispatch untrained individuals to do the job.

Bottom line, know your local locksmith! Ask when you are on the phone with him/her what specific city are they located in and most important, ask if they are a state licensed locksmith,(you will want to see their ID when they arrive) if your state does require a locksmith. Tennessee does.

Next post we will continue to cover tips to hiring a reputable locksmith.

Thomas “”Trapper” Sherwood
Sherwood Locksmithing TN LP #0067

At Last! Personal Safety and Security Secrets Revealed!

If you are concerned about the safety and security of yourself, your home and your family, then step into the ring and throw a knock-out punch against crime!

Thomas Sherwood; a former Sgt in the United States Marine Corps & owner of Sherwood Locksmithing of La Vergne TN. announces it’s latest online resource; “Personal Safety and Security Secrets…Revealed”, just in time for the holiday’s.

Do you know the 15 biggest mistakes new homeowners make? Do you know how to protect your home while away? Do you know how to select a burglar alarm or how to reduce the crime in your neighborhood?

The answer to these questions and more can be found in “Personal Safety & Security Secrets Revealed.” For over 13 years & 15,337 satisfied customers later, people have come to depend on Sherwood Locksmithing to keep their homes and businesses secure in Middle Tennessee.

“I found that as I was working in peoples homes, they all had numerous questions on how to keep themselves safe and secure”, says Sherwood. “What better way to answer those questions than to compile them all in one resource.”

And compile them he did. In “Personal Safety and Security Secrets Revealed”, you will find over 40 reports dealing with topics such as home and personal safety issues, keeping your boat safe, safer email’s and much more all for the low investment of just $29.97.

“Personal Safety and Security Secrets Revealed” is available online at http://www.personalsafetyebook.com and ready for immediate download, even if it’s 3:00am.

To stay in contact with his customers, Sherwood also writes a blog at http://www.personalsafetyebook.com/blog and provides fresh new content on a regular basis.

For More Information Call:

Thomas “Trapper” Sherwood
Sherwood Locksmithing
615 355-5886

Are Your Pets in Harm’s Way?

Greetings,

Our Pet’s safety is often taken for granted, but it should be at the
top of the list when it comes to planning any out of town trips, or even
weekend getaways. Your Pet’s safety is priority for any serious pet
owner as we all know that our pets are inevitably to become very
important members of our family.

Let me please relate to you a story that happened last week.

I was called by a company that does pet sitting service. It seems the
owner of the pet sitting service lost, or misplaced the keys to a house
she was pet sitting. Needless to say, she needed to get into the
house that was locked, (to walk, feed and water the pet she was
caring for) and if I (who has a locksmith company) would come and
open the house.

Now this might sound simple enough, but one small problem for me.
How was I to know she was allowed in that particular house? What if
she was an “ex” with an agenda? What if her and her “boyfriend”,
“husband” or whatever were just staking out the house and wanted
in? I know these scenarios may seem absurd, but now a days,
thoughts like this run through my head.

We as locksmiths have to think liability.

So I asked the appropriate questions; do you live there, do you have
ID, do you have permission? As I said, sounds simple to start off with,
but this is serious, very serious. As locksmith’s we have the ability to
“compromise” the security of a house’s locks. We really just can’t ride
around and “break-in” to peoples homes just cause someone says
they are pet sitting.

The lady was very gracious, and understanding. She even offered to
call the owner to give me permission over the phone. I know, sounds
simple, but wait. What if it was just someone, anyone with a cell
phone and that house address. I could be given permission to let the
pet sitter into the house, but it might still not have been by the owner.

So, how could this whole unfortunate event have been different?

Let’s take time to do a little planning, for the sake of the pet sitter;
professional, next door neighbor kid or the locksmith that gets called
on jobs like this, and most of all, the poor pet that is like a family
member that just wants to go to the bathroom and eat!

Here’s my solution, simple and easy, only requires a few steps,
and everyone is protected.

As the home owner/pet owner, get a blank sheet of paper, photo
copy your driver’s license onto it. Write something on their giving
whoever is going to be watching Fido, or fluffy, permission to be given
access to your home should keys be lost or stolen. Next step, bring it
to a Notary and have them witness your signature then have them
emboss it with their seal.

These few steps, as drastic as they may seem will ensure that a
locksmith if needed is only letting an authorized person into your
property.

Of course we as locksmith’s would require proof of identification
from the pet sitter, neighbor etc that holds the piece of paper with
their name on it from you.

Remember, you don’t want to forget about  the safety of your furry
four-legged companions.

Trapper
Sherwood Locksmithing

PS…the above pet in question was “rescued” safe and sound.

Personal safety for bogus phone calls

Greetings,

Todays post deals with bogus or fake phones, and undesirable people at your door.

They call may say that their car has broken down and they need to phone someone for help.
They may pretend to be a workman, saying that they need to check your electricity or water.
They might even claim to be from the council and that they are carrying out a local survey.
Whatever reason a caller gives, you need to be sure that they aren’t just trying to get into your
home to steal something.

There are around 12,000 incidents of “distraction burglary” each year, where callers get into
homes and then steal cash or valuables while the occupier is distracted in some way.
Sometimes they work in pairs, with one doing the talking while the other is stealing and they
often target the elderly.

Be on your guard every time the doorbell rings, or there’s a knock at your door.
Look out of your window to see who’s there first and if you don’t know who the person is,
open the window slightly and talk to them that way, rather than opening your door.
Alternatively, have a viewer fitted in your front door so that you can take a good look at
who’s there first. If your eyesight isn’t so good, don’t worry as you can now get wide-angle
viewers to help you see better.

Put the door chain or door bar on before opening the door and talk through the gap.
You could even fit a small mirror to the wall next to the door so that you can easily see
the person you are talking to. When the caller has left and you’ve closed the door, don’t
forget to unhook the chain so that any friend or relative you have given a key to can still get in.

Make sure your back door is locked if someone knocks at your front door.
Sometimes thieves work together with one coming in the back way,
while the other keeps you talking at the front.

Keeping the chain on the door, ask callers from the councilor any other organization to pass
through some identification. If you need your glasses to check this don’t think it’s rude to close
the door and go and get them. A genuine caller won’t mind. If you’re still not sure, ask the caller
to leave and tell them to write and make an appointment so that someone else can be with you
the next time they call. The basic rule is if you don’t know the person at your door don’t let them in.

As part of the Government’s “Stop, Chain, Check” campaign, local councils, social services and
Age Concern centers have further information they can provide to older people.
They can also help with door viewers, chains and mirrors, and in certain circumstances, may be
able to supply a personal attack alarm that connects through to a control center.

Bottom line, ALWAYS ask for ID!

Even if you have called your local locksmith with your concerns, and he is coming out
to install a door viewer, or a door chain or deadbolt, AS FOR ID!

Most locksmiths are required by state law to nowadays be licensed, he or she will
not mind showing you their licensed.

Heck, as a licensed locksmith in Tennessee, I am proud to show my ID.

As always, hope you are finding these tips and guidelines useful.

If you have comments, please share with the rest of the class.

Thanks for reading,

Trapper

PS…If you need more info about locksmiths, please visit:

http://sherwoodlocksmithing.com