When it comes to protecting your home, you need to know that any work carried out by locksmiths is genuine and to a high standard.
The locksmith industry is not without its share of scammers though, looking to make quick cash, or even worse, target your home for potential burglaries. If you experience issues with home security, such as getting locked out of your property or are the target of unwanted guests, ensuring you have a professional locksmith to secure your home is vital for peace of mind.
But how can you tell the professionals from the cowboys? Read on for advice on how to spot potential locksmith scams:
Beware of paid adverts from companies with no credentials
Many reputable locksmith companies use paid adverts to advertise their services and many have a prominent ranking in organic searches which helps to back up their credibility. When searching the web for local locksmiths, be sure to consider whether a company solely relies on paid advertising to gain customers, as this is where potential scammers may hide out. If a company appears at the top of Google when you search for ‘locksmiths near me,’ it doesn’t mean they are always the best for the job. Check other credentials such as organic results and reviews.
The location of ‘local locksmiths’
Locksmiths serve people all over the country. However, unless they are a national organisation, be wary of any companies advertising to your area that don’t live in the region or close enough for a short commute. Check the website for details such as contact information. If it’s vague and they don’t have a landline, be sure to question further. Our locksmiths serve areas across the UK, and our team are local professionals who love the area they live in.
Check out locksmith reviews
Customer reviews say a lot about a company, and they will give you an idea of the type of service you’ll receive. There are several ways to check out reviews and not just the ones that appear on their website. First, look for external feedback sites such as Google Reviews and TrustPilot. For example, at LockRite, we have 1000s of 5* reviews and offer a guarantee for our work, so you have peace of mind when you use our service.
Cheaper isn’t always better
While at LockRite, we keep costs as low as possible; it’s always best to be wary of locksmiths that quote unusually low prices to win the work. Instead, you should receive a comprehensive quote with details on the work, how much it’ll cost and how long it will take. Professional locksmiths will guide you through the project and are happy for you to ask any questions. A guarantee also backs our services, so you have peace of mind the work is carried out to a high standard. How much does a locksmith cost? Take a look at our locksmith prices article to get an idea of the average locksmith prices.
Avoid cash-only jobs
While it’s not unusual for locksmiths to take cash for jobs due to lack of card facilities, if there’s no receipt for the work, start asking questions. More and more tradespeople can accept card payments now. However, if you do pay cash, be sure to get a receipt. Without a receipt, you have no proof of who carried out the work and no comeback if something goes wrong. The receipt should also include the company name, business address, contact details, and a breakdown of costs. If any locksmith is hesitant to provide this, alarm bells should be ringing.
Check for a Google My Business listing
While many companies have websites and appear legitimate, it’s not always the case. Unfortunately, the locksmith industry doesn’t have official regulations so companies can advertise services, but that doesn’t mean they know what they’re doing. In haste, many people contact locksmiths like this, especially on emergency jobs. However, they can do more harm than good and end up costing you more in damage.
To help verify credentials, you could check for a Google My Business listing to back up their website and details. Not all reputable locksmiths will have one, but it helps to join the dots on their location, website and contact details. Plus, in some cases, you’ll see customer reviews and pictures of previous work carried out.
You’ll usually find a Google My Business page after the sponsored ads in a search result, so it’s easily identifiable.
Choose LockRite locksmiths
For a trusted and professional service, LockRite is on hand 24 hours a day. Our work is guaranteed, and all our locksmiths are DBS checked to give you peace of mind. What’s more, we offer a no call out fee and aim to get to you in 30 minutes in emergencies. Contact us today on 0800 0612 677 for more information.
