Locksmith Reveals Hidden Scams in the Home Service Industry

Residential

From a locksmith who’s seen too many good people get scammed.

Service Provider Scams (4 Steps)

Step 1 – Before You Call

Check their reputation:
- BBB.org – Look for an A+ rating or read the reviews. Pay close attention if there are complaints and how the company responded.
- Google Reviews – Longer, detailed reviews are more likely to be real. Lots of short, vague reviews can be fake — especially if there are hundreds of them.
- Yelp & Nextdoor – Helpful for local recommendations from neighbors.
Look for real pictures on their website or Google listing — the actual people, trucks, and tools they use. Avoid companies that only show generic or “stock” images.
Make sure they have a local address and a working phone number.

Step 2 – During the Call

Ask for a clear, total price for the job. A good company can usually give an exact price or very close estimate just by asking the right questions or seeing photos of the problem.
❌ If you hear “starting price,” hang up — it’s bait. You remember the low number, but the final bill will be much higher when they arrive.
Be aware: Many companies you see first on Google don’t have their own staff. Some are based overseas and run large call centers that take your call and then sell your job to independent workers (not employees).
- A call center isn’t always bad — but you must ask when the technician calls you back: “Are you an employee of the company or a freelancer?”
- Tell them you expect a uniform and a marked truck — or you will send them away.
- Most freelancers have no warranty, no insurance, and use cheap parts.

Step 3 – When the Tech Arrives

Check for the marked vehicle and uniform with the company name and logo (not just “Locksmith” or “Plumber”).
Confirm the price you were given before any work starts.
If extra costs come up: A professional will warn you before starting if there’s a chance, give you the worst-case price, and clearly communicate if it happens. Some jobs have a
flat “extra hours” fee for more time (no new parts), and any needed materials will be priced openly.

Step 4 – While They’re Working

📞 Phone, Email, and Mail Scams

If you didn’t contact them first, be extra careful.

Phone calls: Ask for their name and ID, then say you’ll call their office yourself. Hang up and find the real number on your bank card, bill, or official website.
⚠ Government agencies: Real websites and emails always end in .gov. If it doesn’t — it’s fake.

Email scams:

Don’t click links or open files from people you don’t know.
Even if it looks official, check the sender’s email address carefully — scammers often change one letter to make it look real.
Go to the official website yourself instead of using a link in the email.

Mail scams:

Watch for letters that say you owe money, won a prize, or must act fast.
Check the sender’s name and address.
If you’re unsure, call the real number from the company’s official website — not the one in the letter.

❌ Never give personal or banking information if someone pressures you, scares you, or claims you owe money. That’s exactly how they trick you.

✅ Rule of Thumb: If something feels wrong — slow down, check it, and don’t be afraid to say “No.”

Prepared by Dalia Zarhin – Locksmith & Security Professional
Aegis Locksmith Services, Atlanta, GA
Call: 470-756-0417

For much more information about scams and frauds, go to the FBI website here
STAY PROTECTED!