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| PRESS RELEASEFor Immediate ReleasE Consumers Warned of yet another Locksmith Scam
Every City, USA - Consumers in the Entire area are warned to beware of individuals posing as locksmith who perform unnecessary work or charge exorbitant un-locking fees. Dozens of associations of locksmith and physical security professionals, recently issued an official warning for the USA area.
"This scheme entices locked-out consumers with large Yellow Pages ads that give the impression you are calling a local business," says ALOA's Executive Director, Charles W. Gibson, Jr., "These companies manipulate listings with multiple false addresses and phone numbers to make them seem like a neighborhood businesses. In actuality, the victims frequently are calling out-of-state operations that are not locksmith companies at all. The consumer is quoted a reasonable price over the phone, but when a person posing as a locksmith finishes the job, the victim is charged a considerable amount more for unnecessary and sub-standard work."
Simple steps you can take to assure you are getting an ethical, professional security specialists for detecting a company that may be engaging in this scheme. "Many of the items in this checklist are legal by themselves, however, if several are used together, you may be dealing with a con artist."
1. 1. Not Familiar with Your Area to make sure the company is local; make sure that they are familiar with your area of town. 2. 2. "Locksmith Service." Unscrupulous individuals often operate under many business names/aliases. Thus, they must answer the phone with a generic phrase like, "locksmith service." If the call is answered this way, ask, "What is the legal name of your business" 3. 3. Association endorsement. Does the Yellow Pages ad contain a logo that makes them appear to belong to their state or regional locksmith association? While many locksmiths do belong to an Association, some unscrupulous individuals trick the consumer by falsely using fake licenses, and declaring that they are local and trustworthy. You can always check to see if in fact these businesses are members by contacting your local or regional locksmith association, or simply checking with the Better Business Bureau 4. 4. Unclear Business Name. Look closely at the ad(s). Is the specific name of the business clearly identified? Does it appear that the dealer actually operates under several names? If a Web address is listed, does the name on the Web site match the name on the ad? 5. 5. "Under Same Ownership." This confusing statement, often found in small print at the bottom of a full-page ad in phone directories, give consumers a sense that the firm has been in business for awhile. The statement itself may be a warning sign that the company operates under several aliases. Also, the ad sometimes lists association memberships for organizations that do not exist, (i.e. American Locksmith Association)." 6. 6. Service Vehicle. Some legitimate locksmiths will work out of a car or unmarked van for quick jobs, but most will arrive in a service vehicle � a van or truck that is clearly marked. 7. 7. Identity. A legitimate locksmith should ask for identity and some form of proof that you have the authority to allow the unlocking to be done. You have the right to ask for the locksmith's identification as well. Does he have a business card? Does he have an invoice or bill with the company name printed on it? Does it match the name on the service vehicle? 8. 8. Estimate. Find out what the work will cost before you authorize it. Never sign a blank form authorizing work. 9. 9. Invoice. Insist on an itemized invoice. You can't dispute a charge without proof of how much you paid and what the payment was for. 10. 10. Refuse. If you are not comfortable with the service provider, you can, and should, refuse to work with the locksmith.
If you feel that you have been the victim a scheme as described above, all associations recommend that you contact the office of the Attorney General in your state. Most Attorneys General have a division that specializes in fraudulent or deceptive business practices. You may find out how to contact your Attorney General at www.naag.org.
Check for a valid state license number. The states that have licensing for locksmith services ( AL,CA, IL, LA, NJ, NC, OK, TN, VA and TX and other states who are recently passing the licensing regulations ) may require the licensed locksmith company to include a state license number on their vehicles, advertising, and all paperwork. If your state requires licensing, then the technician must show you his/her identity card, which is a good indicator of legitimacy. These licensed locksmiths and their companies have been investigated by the state and found free of criminal activity in their past, and are required to have current valid liability insurance policies in force. States with a licensing law typically have a consumer protection hotline number to call and a mailing address for complaints to be sent to. Do not pay anyone that will not provide you with this information. If your state does not have a licensing law to protect you, ask your legislator for that protection. The association in your state or region supports state licensing for the purpose of protecting the consumer and can assist your legislator in drafting laws to protect consumers from locksmith scams.
Other than The Associated Locksmiths of America (ALOA), all of your regional and state licensing and legislation is most definitely undergoing its due process. Locksmith Associations are dedicated to being the consumer's first line of defense in physical security by increasing the effectiveness and productivity of locksmiths through educational programs and materials that address broad security interests. ALOA, and most regional and state locksmith associations are leading the way for advanced and improved security performance by providing members and the security community with access to a full range of educational programs and services.
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