Lockout Tips

Imagine getting home from a lengthy vacation, and you realize that you somehow misplaced the key to the front door. Maybe it’s in your luggage, or perhaps you lost it during the trip. Or, what about locking yourself out of the car? Perhaps the baby is inside, and it’s mid-summer with high temperatures. In these situations, you simply call your trusty locksmith who you know is reliable.

Wait! You mean you don’t have a locksmith in your smartphone’s contacts?

How to Protect Yourself Against a Scam

If you are like most of us, you don’t stop to think about finding a trustworthy locksmith until the emergency happens, which is frequently at a very inconvenient time. You haven’t needed to build a relationship with a reliable professional until now, and you need to know that this person is not a scam artist.

So how do you find a trustworthy and qualified locksmith? There are several ways and several things to keep in mind.

Research in Advance

You can be better prepared by researching in advance. A qualified locksmith will have all necessary licenses and bonding up-to-date. At 24HrLockouts, each locksmith that we dispatch to a jobsite has agreed in writing to do this. That way, when you call us, you can be assured that the locksmith is qualified.

Word of Mouth

Sometimes the best way to find a trustworthy locksmith is to ask around. Ask friends, family, neighbors, real estate agents, and other people you trust for references. Good locksmiths will have strong relationships with their clients. Be sure to ask only people you trust. Asking a stranger only opens you up to a risk you won’t want to take.

Local Shop

So much happens across the Internet now. It’s very easy to throw up a free website and say you’re in business. We all pretty much start our searches online. But, if a locksmith has an actual shop, this can be a good sign that they are a legitimate business. If you have a chance to visit the shop, meaning this is not an emergency situation, you can get a good feel on how they operate.

Beware of Fraud

You are particularly susceptible to fraud when the situation is dire, such as a baby locked in a car. Keep in mind that most states have online verification of licenses. You can run a quick search on your smartphone to ensure that the person you are about to contact is at least licensed in your state. Better yet, simply put 24HrLockouts’ phone number in your smartphone now. The locksmiths we dispatch have assured us in writing to be current on all legal requirements in their state.

Check Credentials

Locksmiths should have a valid, current state locksmith registration or license. Don’t hesitate to ask for this to verify their credentials. In addition, a professional locksmith should verify your identity as well. You don’t want a locksmith to open up your front door to a thief posing as you. They should ask for a valid ID to protect both parties.

Now is the time to think about a trustworthy locksmith, before an emergency happens. Keep 24HrLockouts in your smartphone, and you will have a reliable, professional, and qualified locksmith right at your fingertips at all times.