BBB Tip of the Week

Whether locked out of your car, home or office, finding a locksmith in this emergency can be frustrating yet essential for getting back to your regular life.

Unscrupulous and untrained locksmiths have been known to advertise online and in phone books, right alongside legitimate locksmiths. The shady locksmiths often charge exorbitant fees, may damage locks in order to charge for replacements and may use bullying tactics.

Better Business Bureau offers the following tips for finding a reliable and reputable locksmith:

• When locked out of your car, if you have roadside assistance, call them first. They will have a list of reputable local locksmiths.

• Search online at BBB for local locksmiths. Whether you need a locksmith in your home town or while traveling, you can find a reputable locksmith at www.bbb.org by selecting the category search option and entering your current location.

• When calling a locksmith, if the call is answered with a generic phrase like “locksmith services,” ask for the business’s legal name. If they refuse to tell you, hang up and call a different business.

• Ask for an estimate over the phone. Be wary of low-ball estimates as they are probably sign of a scam. Ask about any additional fees, such as mileage or late-night charges. If the price changes once the locksmith arrives and seems unreasonable, you can refuse to have the work done.

Make sure they accept credit cards. When a locksmith only accepts cash, it may be a sign of unscrupulous practices.

• Ask if they can provide proof of insurance for any damage incurred by locksmith. Write down this information along with the name of the locksmith, the business and the license plate of the vehicle.

The locksmith should also ask you for identification to make sure you are the owner of the home, business or vehicle.

• Be cautious if the locksmith claims they can only gain entry by drilling and replacing the lock. There are certain circumstances when this may be true, but legitimate locksmiths are trained to unlock nearly any door.

Locksmiths are mobile by nature, and some may work from a company vehicle or their own car. If the locksmith arrives in an unmarked car and is acting suspiciously, consider refusing to let them do the work.

For more tips you can trust, visit BBB at www.bbb.org or call (509) 455-4200.

Erin T. Dodge, BBB editor