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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BBB ALERT warns you about scams that may cost your business or employees money. As soon as we learn about a scam, you’ll know about it. We may also send you other important information regarding your BBB Accreditation. We will not share your email address with third parties. If you would prefer not to receive these alerts, please reply to this email with the word “Unsubscribe” in the subject line.

Nancy Crawford | Director of Marketing & Communications

Tel: 901-757-8627

Cell: 901-827-6128

Fax: 901-757-2997

Email: ncrawford@bbbmidsouth.org

www.bbb.org | Start with Trust

BBB of the Mid-South

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

Put Your Keys Beside Your Bed At Night

Greetings,

Today’s great post comes from my friend Jessica, and I want to thank her for allowing me to use it to help keep others safe. Thanks Jess!

Tell your spouse, your children, your neighbors, your parents, your Doctor’s Office, the checkout girl at the market, everyone you run across. Please feel free to pass this blog post to them. However you can do it, please do. Keep them informed with this very simple tip.

Put your car keys beside your bed at night. If you hear a noise outside your home or someone trying to get into your house, just press the panic button for your car, providing your car does have an alarm system and you do have the alarm remote.

The alarm will be set off and the horn will continue to sound either until you turn it off or the car battery dies.

This tip came from a neighborhood watch coordinator.  Next time you come home for the night and you start to put your keys away, think of this: it’s a security alarm system that you probably already have and requires no installation. Test it.  It will go off from most everywhere inside your house and will keep honking until your battery runs down or until you reset it with the button on the remote unit.  It works if you park in your driveway or garage.

If your car alarm goes off when someone is trying to break into your house, odds are that the burglar/rapist won’t stick around….after a few seconds all the neighbors will be looking out their windows to see who is out there, and sure enough the criminal won’t want that!

And remember to carry your keys while walking to your car in a parking lot. The alarm can work the same way there.

This is something that should really be shared with everyone.  Maybe it could save a life or prevent a sexual assault.

My Mom has suggested to my Dad that he carry his car keys with him in case he falls outside and she doesn’t hear him. He can activate the car alarm and then she’ll know there’s a problem.

P.S…it would also be useful for any emergency, such as a heart attack, where you can’t reach a phone.

What is Pepper Spray?

What is pepper spray and/or defensive spray?

The defensive sprays that Personal Safety eBook recommends are humane and effective. These self
defensive sprays contain OC Pepper, Tear Gas, Ultraviolet Dye, or any combination of the three.
They are an effective means of non-lethal self defense for people concerned with safety and
security. Used by police departments, security agencies, and individuals concerned with security
and self defense. Recommended by the American Security Institute.

2. What are the effects of pepper spray and/or defensive spray?
To achieve the desired effects, a defensive spray must be aimed towards the face of the aggressor.
The general effects of most defensive sprays are disorientation, eyes slamming shut, restricted
breathing, uncontrollable coughing, blindness, and intense burning sensation. Effects generally last
20 to 30 minutes. As the different formulations work differently depending upon what chemical
compounds are used, please see “How do some of the different formulations work?” as well to see
what effects your specific formulation will induce.

3. Can I use my pepper spray after the expiration date?
Like any pressurized aerosol device, over time the unit may not
spray as far as expected, if at all. Mace Brand defensive sprays
(and some other brands as well) have an easy to find expiration
date on the unit. We recommend replacing your spray after the
expiration date to ensure that the spray is ready to save your life
should you ever need it. If you have a spray that does not have
an expiration date, please be sure to see “What if my pepper
spray doesn’t have an expiration date?” as well.

4. What if my pepper spray doesn’t have an expiration date?
If you are using a spray that does not have an expiration date, the manufacturer has probably
included directions to test the unit every three months to ensure that it is ready if you should ever
need it. As these sprays do have a limited capacity that may be exhausted through repeated testing,
we highly recommend that in addition to testing that you replace your spray once a year. This is the
surest way to have the protection you need when you need it.

5. At what temperature should I store my pepper spray?
Do not leave your defensive spray in any area that may exceed 125 degrees F or drop below -15
degrees F. Excessive heat or cold may cause the can to leak or burst.

6. Can I bring pepper spray on an airplane?
The FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) allows one defensive spray per traveler in your checked
luggage only. Sprays are not allowed in carry-on luggage or at any time in the passenger area.

If you are looking for self-defense products such as stun guns, pepper sprays, Air Tasers, Mace,
hidden cameras and a lot more, check out one of our favorite sites, Safety Technology.

Be safe,

Trapper

You Have The Right To Defend Yourself

When do you make the decision to use pepper spray?

Don’t wait until you are being assaulted to think about whether or not you are going to use your defensive spray. After you receive your defensive spray familiarize yourself with this information and the specific directions that come with your product.

Arrange a quiet time where you think about some of the possible assault scenarios whereby
you’d be a victim. You should also make a couple of practice ‘taps’ of you defensive spray (in an open
area with no one around) to ensure that you know how it works.

This is the time to make the conscious decision to spray an attacker and move to a safer location, when
and if you are attacked.

This may seem silly, but it is vitally important to be prepared for bad experiences. Too many times,
I’ve heard of victims who ‘couldn’t think’ or were ‘to confused’ during an assault to make a decision.
Comments like, “I didn’t know if I should use it” or “It happened so fast I didn’t know what to do”
imply that the victims were in a problem solving mode when they should have been in an action mode.

Make the decision now to act.

Where does one purchase Pepper Spray?

I have know this company for years, solid, reliable and they get my
recommendation. Click Here

PS…Pepper Spray Info provided by Mace Brand Defensive Sprays

How Identity Theft Occurs

Skilled identity thieves use a variety of ways to gain access to your personal information.
For example, they may get information from businesses or other institutions by stealing
it while they’re on the job; bribing an employee who has access to these records; hacking these
records; and conning information out of employees.

Or:

• they may steal your wallet or purse.
• they may steal your personal information through email or the phone by saying
they’re from a legitimate company and claiming that you have a problem with your
account. This practice is known as “phishing” online, or “pretexting” by phone.
• they may steal your credit or debit card numbers by capturing the information in
a data storage device in a practice known as “skimming.” They may swipe your card
for an actual purchase, or attach a device to an ATM machine where they may enter
or swipe your card.
• they may get your credit reports by abusing the authorized access that was granted to
their employer, or by posing as a landlord, employer, or someone else who may have
a legal right to your report.
• they may rummage through your trash, the trash of businesses, or public trash dumps in
a practice known as “dumpster diving.”
• they may steal personal information they find in your home.
• they may steal your mail, including bank and credit card statements,
credit card offers, new checks, and tax information.
• they may complete a “change of address form” to divert your
mail to another location.

Once identity thieves have your personal information, they may use it to commit fraud
or theft.

For example:

• they may call your credit card issuer to change the billing address on your account.
The impostor then runs up charges on your account. Because the bills are being sent
to a different address, it may be some time before you realize there’s a problem.
• they may open new credit card accounts in your name. When they use the credit cards
and don’t pay the bills, the delinquent accounts are reported on your credit report.
• they may establish phone or wireless service in your name.
• they may open a bank account in your name and write bad checks on the account.
• they may counterfeit checks or credit or debit cards, or authorize electronic transfers
in your name, and drain your bank account.
• they may file for bankruptcy under your name to avoid paying debts they’ve incurred
under your name, or to avoid eviction.
• they may buy a car by taking out an auto loan in your name.
• they may get identification such as a driver’s license issued with their picture, in your name.
• they may get a job or file fraudulent tax returns in your name.
• they may give your name to the police during an arrest. If they don’t show up
for the court date, a warrant for arrest is issued in your name.

Please use common sense with your credit cards, credit card bills, and other personal
identity information.

As you can see from the above article, Identity Theft is something to take into serious consideration.

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

Bass Pro Shops Begin Carrying TASER C2 Personal Safety Devices

Self-Protection Units Available in Selected Stores This Month

Greetings,

In a press release issued Thursday December 18th, 2008 TASER International
announced it has partnered up with Bass Pro Shops; the World’s Greatest outdoor
store to begin carrying TASER personal safety devices in selected stores.

To view the complete press release please click here =>
http://www.marketwatch.com/news/story/Bass-Pro-Shops-Begin-Carrying/story.aspx?guid={2192AD33-7FA7-4AA7-8E0D-17CB57F1EFB3}

I am especially looking forward to the new state of the art new public safety background check.

As I hear more, and what stores these will become available in and what areas, I will keep you posted.

Trap

PS…to learn more about your personal safety & security, please visit:
Personal Safety & Security Secrets Revealed

Look Before You Cash That Money Order

Greetings,

Well, we are one week before Christmas Eve.

Lots of shopping is sure to still be done between now and Christmas Eve.

If you and your business accepts Money Orders, pay careful attention to them, especially this time of the year.

According to the USPS, US Postal money orders are among the most secure financial instrument in the world.
Genuine postal money orders contain design features to maximize their security.

To ensure you are accepting or cashing the real thing, look for these features on genuine postal money orders.

1. When held to the light, a watermark of Benjamin Franklin is repeated from top to bottom on the left side.

2. When held to the light, a dark line (security thread) runs from top to bottom with the word “USPS” repeated.

3. There should be no discoloration around the dollar amounts, which might indicate the amounts were changed.

Remember, domestic postal money orders may not exceed $1000.00 and international postal money orders may not exceed $700.00.

If you have any questions about any postal money orders, call your nearest US Postal Inspection Service office, or Post Office. You may also call 1800 ASK-USPS

Be safe when accepting payments for your hard work, know you are accepting a real and genuine postal money order, some people are not as honest as you may think.

Sincerely,

Thomas “Trapper” Sherwood

PS…Give the gift of Personal Safety this year with a copy of Personal Safety & Security Secrets Reavealed,
available online at Personal Safety eBook

Find Last Minute Holiday Travel Deals Online

The internet gives us access to just about anything we can imagine. This includes finding flights, trains, buses, hotel rooms, and rental cars that we can use to travel for the holidays. While most of these entities are more expensive when you travel over the holidays due the demand, you can still find some good deals if you take the time to look.

You will generally find that you can save the most money on holiday travel if you purchase a complete package deal. This is less expensive than buying each piece that you need individually. It also provides you with only one confirmation number that you need to keep track of instead of several different ones.

There are literally hundreds of sites online where you can look for holiday travel deals. You can search by your destination in a search engine or choose the various sites you have heard about. It is a good idea to keep a list of the sites you visit and the prices you are coming across. This way you can compare the prices and easily remember where you want to go back to.

Most of the time fares will be cheaper online than by contacting the place directly because it saves their business time of having to set up the travel arrangements for you. Make sure you carefully read all of the information though because some travel deals have hidden costs that you don’t want to be liable for. You also need to check into the cancellation policies and about rescheduling your trip.

Some online travel deals don’t offer any refunds at all so if a family member dies or you have an unexpected illness you won’t be able to get your money back. Even if you show up late for your flight because you got caught up at security they won’t honor your purchase. This can be extremely risky because there are too many variables that can affect holiday travel.

Make sure you also pay close attention to the amount of time that you will be in the process of getting to your destination. You may find a killer price but it isn’t going to be worth it if you have several connecting flights and layovers along the way. Look for direct methods to get to your destination whenever it is possible. There are simply too many delays during holiday travel to ensure you can get to those connections on time.

Many of the sites you visit online will allow you to sign up for special offers and promotions. You should take advantage of these offers so that you don’t have to continually return to their site to check for changes in prices. Some of them even allow you to enter a price so that you can be notified if the price of the trip you want drops to that price. For those that can only afford holiday travel if it fits a specific budget, this is a valuable feature.

During your search online for holiday travel, be flexible with your dates. You will be able to save hundreds of dollars just by being willing to leave a day earlier or leaving in the evening instead of the afternoon. Those that want a specific travel arrangement will find this ties them into more expensive offers. Even if you travel a day earlier and have to pay for a hotel room that extra night you could save hundreds of dollars.

It does take some initial planning of where you want to travel and how you are going to get there in order to find the best travel deals. Investing a few hours of your time in getting the best price though is well worth the savings you will get from it. Millions of people travel each year over the holidays but some of them pay more for the same trip because they didn’t look for holiday travel deals online.

Be Safe on your Travels.

Trapper

PS…Be safe with your Identity also, Discover how with our FREE report available at:
Personal Safety eBook

Tips to make Holiday Travel Easier

The holidays can be quite hectic but they are often a time when people travel to see family and friends or to take a well deserved vacation. Following some basic tips will help ensure you have the best time when you travel during this time of year. Being prepared for things to go wrong is the first step in minimizing the damages and getting on with your holiday travel plans.

Make sure you have all of your tickets and confirmation numbers in a specific place. It is a good idea to make a copy of the information as well as the contact number for your tickets and place it in another location. This way if you lose the originals you will have all the necessary information to take care of it. You should call about a week before your travel dates to make sure your reservation is still active for all modes of transportation and your accommodations.

It is common for flights, trains, and buses to get delayed over the holidays due to security issues, weather, and trying to meet the needs of the volumes of people using such modes of transportation over the holidays. Make sure you have plenty of money, food, drinks, and necessities to get you through these delays. They can range from a couple of hours to a few days. If you will be traveling a long distance you should consider bringing along activities to pass the time, especially if you are traveling with children.

If you take prescription medications you need to make sure you have them clearly labeled. You may get questioned about them if they aren’t in the bottle you picked them up at from the pharmacy. It is a good idea to have a written note from your doctor regarding the medication as well. Makes sure you have enough of it for the entire trip including any delays that may occur.

Lost luggage is one of the biggest problems when people travel, and it compounds during the holidays because of how busy everyone is. While you really can’t prevent your luggage from getting lost, you can do your best to make sure you have all you need in the mean time. Make sure each person traveling in your party has clothing in all of the suitcases instead of making one for each person. This way everyone will have a chance to have some items should a bag or two get lost in the shuffle.

Clearly identify your luggage so that you will be sure to get yours upon reaching your destination. Too many bags look the same and many people are in a hurry when they travel for the holidays. Place a colorful ribbon or colored tape on your bags if you carry the styles and colors that are very popular. If you travel often you should consider some unique looking luggage that will stand out.

Traveling during the holidays needs to be as smooth as possible to ensure you will enjoy your trip. By taking the time to follow these tips you can help make that happen. There are plenty of horror stories out there about people not being able to get to their destination for the holidays or they didn’t have the items they needed upon arriving. Don’t open the door for your holiday vacation to fit into this grim category.

Sincerely,

Thomas “Trapper” Sherwood

Sherwood Locksmithing

PS…Get your copy of our FREE Report; “Protect your Identity From Theft”
at Personal Safety & Security Secrets Revealed