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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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.

Preparing your Vehicle for Holiday Travel

No one wants to have their holiday travel plans ruined due to their vehicle breaking down, so make sure you give it plenty of attention before hand. Complete a thorough check of all the routine items on your vehicle. The oil should be changed and you will want to check all the fluids including the transmission fluid, windshield wiper fluid, and brake fluid.

Don’t wait until something breaks on your vehicle to replace it, especially when you are traveling for the holidays. Carefully inspect all of the hoses for signs of wear as you never know when they will end up breaking. If you haven’t used your windshield wipers for a while make sure they are in good condition.

Have someone stand behind your vehicle so you can make sure both of your turn signals work as well as your break lights. Replace any bulbs that are burned out or seem to be dim. Do the same for your headlights on both low beams and high beams. This will ensure other vehicles are able to see you coming and know when you are planning to stop or to turn. It is a good idea to carry fuses in your glove box so that you can replace any that may burn out during your travel for the holidays.

Your tires are very important when you are traveling for the holidays. Check the wear patterns on the tread to make sure they are in good shape. Of the two front tires are wearing unevenly you may need to have your vehicle aligned. You may find it is time to rotate the tires on your vehicle as well. This involves moving the front ones to the back and the back ones to the front.

Depending on the time of year when you travel for the holidays, you may experience bad weather. Make sure you have a survival kit in your car that includes tire changes which many end up being mandatory to drive on the roads in some areas. You also want this survival kit to include a flashlight with fresh batteries, flares, food, water, a first aid kit, blankets, a car jack, and a gas can.

It is a good idea to make sure you have a cell phone will you as well. Most models come with a battery charger that plugs right into your cigarette lighter so you don’t have to worry about the battery running low while you are traveling for the holidays. If you don’t want to get caught up in a lengthy cell phone contract, look for those offered at retail stores. They are inexpensive and they work well. However, you buy the amount of minutes you want for the phone in advance. When the minutes run out you can choose to buy more or simple get rid of the phone.

It is never a good idea to be in a vehicle without seatbelts for all passengers. However, some states don’t require the use of a seatbelt so people don’t pay attention to them working or not. If you are traveling out of state for the holidays you may be going through those that do require them and you need to be prepared.

Accidents can still happen even when you have properly prepared your vehicle for holiday travel. Seatbelts and car seats offer you a way to reduce the chances of serious injury if such an event does take place. In your glove box you should have a disposable camera so you can take pictures of the accident scene for your insurance company. Make sure you have a pen and paper handy as well so you can exchange insurance and personal information with the other party involved.

Thousands of people choose to travel for the holidays using their own personal vehicle. Doing your very best to make sure your vehicle is in excellent working condition will help you to arrive at your destination safely.

Thomas “Trapper” Sherwood
Sherwood Locksmithing

PS….Discover how to protect yourself from ID Theft with our FREE report available at
Personal Safety & Security Secrets Revealed

Happy Thanksgiving 2008

Greetings,

Happy Thanksgiving to all who are celebrating this wonderful Holiday today.

I am Thankful that we have our safety & security here in the USA, and my
prayers, and I hope yours goes out to the folks in India that are suffering
from the hands of those evil terrorists.

Continue to pray for all our soldiers, air force, navy and Marine personal
who put themselves in harms way to protect our country, our way of
life, and of course our personal safety and security. Let us all pray that
they will arrive home safely to their loved ones.

God Bless,

Thomas “Trapper” Sherwood
Sherwood Locksmithing

PS…be safe on your travels, and please re-read some of our previous posts on
protecting your personal safety and security. Also, don’t eat to much!

ENJOY Thanksgiving and all we have to be thankful for!

Tips for Staying Alert during Holiday Travel; part 2

Never drive when you are too tired to focus your attention on the road. Too many people traveling for the holidays haven’t gotten sufficient rest along the way. Don’t kid yourself into thinking that a soda or several cups of coffee are going to keep you awake. Driving while you are tired increases your chances of making mistakes and also prolongs your reaction times.

Whether you are driving yourself or taking another method of transportation, you need to keep a close eye on your items. Don’t fall victim to having your luggage, purse, or wallet stolen by someone because you left it unattended. Men should keep their wallet in their front pocket and women should keep their purses over their head across the shoulder and to the opposite arm.

If you are traveling with a spouse or other adult it is a good idea for each of you to carry some money and a credit card with you. This way if someone does get your materials you won’t be completely without access to other forms of payment you may need. It is also a good idea for each of you to carry a copy of the itinerary with confirmation numbers. This way you are likely to have one copy if the other gets lost. It is also helpful if you get separated in a crowded airport.

Traveling during the holidays can be fun and a great way to get away from your daily routine. Follow these tips to help keep yourself alert so you can have the very best time possible. Most accidents are the result of people being tired or being in too much of a hurry so get enough rest and take your time to arrive safely. Always pay close attention to your personal belongings and report any suspicious behaviors you may encounter.

Sincerely,

Thomas “Trapper” Sherwood
Sherwood Locksmithing

PS… “Personal Safety & Security Secrets Revealed” is a GREAT place to pick up a copy of a personal guidebook to help improve your personal safety.

Tips for Staying Alert during Holiday Travel; part 1

Traveling during the holidays is very exciting and there is plenty going on all around you. However, it is very important that you remain alert so you won’t be involved in an accident or become a victim of theft. There are plenty of criminals that target holiday travelers as they know they are likely to have money on them and they aren’t always paying attention to their surroundings.

Accidents can take place anywhere during holiday travel so you need to be prepared for the unexpected. Never speed when you are driving and make sure you have your seat belt on. Allow at least one car length between you and the person in front of you. Should they have to brake quickly you don’t want to rear end them or end up being hit by the vehicle behind you.

Pay close attention for animals crossing the road as they can be a hazard. Even though you don’t want to hit them, slamming on your brakes or swerving can result in an accident. If you do have to swerve always go to the right so you will be off the road instead of into oncoming traffic.

There will be people along the side of the road that have been involved in accidents or their vehicles have broken down. If you decide to stop and help them be very careful of the traffic that is coming along. If you decide to keep going you should switch lanes if possible or at least move over as far as possible. You don’t want to accidentally hit someone that is walking around on the road.

While it is human nature to be compassionate and to attempt to help others you need to be careful. Scams often occur during holiday travel and you may encounter people asking for money or a ride. Trust your instincts and if you don’t feel comfortable with the circumstances you need to leave.  You can always use your cell phone to call the local authorities to give them a hand.

Sincerely,

Thomas “Trapper” Sherwood
Sherwood Locksmithing

PS…have you visited “Personal Safety and Security Secrets Revealed” for your FREE copy on how to prevent Identity Theft?

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 Awareness

As you read every word of this article, you will discover that personal safety
and security is an ongoing lifelong learning experience.

Did you know…

One of every four college women polled in a study by the Department of
Justice was sexually assaulted during four years at college?

Personal safety means preventive adult and child safety, as well as
self-protection when attacked.

Personal safety and security means not putting yourself into a bad situation
to begin with, or taking measures to protect yourself should something bad
happen to you.

Personal safety and security are important whether you live in the city,
suburbs or a rural area, crime is happening all the time in every community.

Discovering how to keep yourself safe and secure can help you stop feeling
vulnerable.

Personal defense sprays and stun guns should only be purchased by those
18 years of age or older.

“If what you really need or want is self-defense or personal safety, or your
needs are ill-defined, martial arts schools may help you define what you may
want.”

Mini courses in self-defense are also available.

It is however, important to realize that no matter what your decision about
using physical self-defense to protect yourself, that you have come to a
crossroads.

Unless you are willing to commit extreme physical violence in self-defense do
not allow this situation to develop.

Before you vocalize: Know how far you are willing to go, Physical self-defense
is the last ditch effort.

Physical self-defense is not about fighting, it’s about not being hurt by violence.

Police Officers, Campus Safety and Security Consultants recommend the
use of personal safety alarms. These can be used when jogging, grocery or
just going out to the car to get something.

Speaking of vehicles, Close all the windows and sun roof, lock doors and remove
your key from the ignition when leaving it parked on campus.

Being alert to what’s going on around us creates a culture that promotes and
enhances security and safety on a campus and in our neighborhoods.

Are you beginning to see how important it is to pay attention to all your
surroundings?

Also, If you arrive home, even if it is your dorm room and see that any window
or door is open, go to a neighbor’s house and call the police.

What can we do for prevention and to increase our knowledge?

Is there a Neighborhood Watch Program where you live?
Contact your local Police Department to find out. Or, if you live
on a campus, discuss this with your Campus security.

If there isn’t one, take the lead and start one of your own.

It could help keep you, your friends, your dorm or home safer, and also help
your neighborhood be a safer place to live.
Sincerely,

Trapper

PS…Become a know-it-all, read our articles on related subjects and become
the personal safety guru on your block.

It is our hopes that our ebook will help guide you in keeping yourself, your
house or home, your family and friends safer from crime..

PPS….Personal safety and protection is an important issue, so if you have
some information you’d like to share with us, then please do so.

We eagerly look forward to your comments.

Top Ten Halloween Safety Tips

Greetings,

I can’t believe Halloween is here already. Where has this year
gone?

Halloween is fun for kids, but, unfortunately, it can also be an
evening that children end up visiting the emergency room.

Follow this advice to keep your kids safe this year.

1) The number ONE rule of Halloween safety is to ensure your child
is supervise. Parents should stay very aware of their children’s
movements.

2) Don’t let your child go to the door unattended and never let your
child go into the house. Because  Halloween Safety is so
important, the parents should not be letting their 1st graders run
off by themselves.

3) Halloween safety is more important than candy. Halloween safety
is insisted on the child to prevent any accidents or injuries.

4)  Halloween safety is about making sure kids are safe in their
costumes, on the street, and around strangers

5) Kids in ill-fitting costumes are more likely to trip and fall.  As you
select your children’s costumes, make sure they are fire-resistant
and not so long that kids could trip while walking.

6) Parents should also apply reflective tape on costumes, or make
sure kids have reflective shoes, hat or bag so they are more visible
to cars. Make sure adults are visible to cars at night also.

7) Rules on crossing the street and going with strangers can be
forgotten during the commotion of trick-or-treating; review the
rules with the kids. Reinforce basic safety tips such as:
(a) Don’t get into cars with strangers,
(b) Not talking to strangers,
(c) Looking both ways before crossing streets,
(d) Be aware of what (and who) is around you,
(e) Obeying traffic rules.

Kids under 12 should have a parent travel with them. Try to
have at least one adult for every six kids in the group.

9) Do your Halloween safety duty and check every piece of candy
your kids bring home this year. The chances of your kids getting
contaminated candy are very slim, but it’s always better to be safe
than sorry.

10) Additionally, fire departments throughout the US recommend
using Halloween as a day to change your smoke alarm batteries,
to alarm you if an accidental jack-o-lantern fire occurs, and to
protect your family throughout the rest of the year.

Additionally parents; remember to practice Halloween safety if you
are driving kids around. Do not pass stopped cars if you are driving,
as they may be unloading groups or small children.  If you are
driving, it is best to choose a neighborhood, and park your
vehicle.

And please, don’t talk on your cell phone while driving.

Sincerely,

Thomas “Trapper” Sherwood
http://www.sherwoodlocksmithing.com
http://www.personalsafetyebook.com

PS…Masks may be entertaining, but they can cause serious
Halloween safety hazards if they’re not designed well. If your kids
have Halloween masks that restrict their vision, forgo the mask and
use face paints with nontoxic makeup instead.