Updated October 6th, 2007
You may have been a victim and not even know it.
For Immediate Release
Arlington, VA - July 10, 2007 - The Better Business Bureau (BBB) today is warning consumers to beware of untrustworthy locksmith companies that are ripping off consumers across the country.
Victim complaints to the BBB reveal that several locksmith companies, all using similar methods, are significantly overcharging consumers, charging consumers for unnecessary services, using intimidation tactics, and failing to give refunds or respond to consumer complaints.
"Ironically, these companies operate under names like 'Dependable Locksmith' but in reality they exploit the vulnerable situation of consumers who are locked out of their house or car," said Steve Cox spokesperson for the BBB System. "We've found that some locksmiths have made taking advantage of consumers' misfortune part of their business model."
Complaints about locksmith services to the 114 BBBs serving the U.S. increased almost 75 percent from 2005 to 2006, and have continued to come in steadily during the first half of this year.
The BBB has identified Dependable Locksmith - which operates under more than a dozen different names - as a particularly disreputable locksmith. This company poses as a local locksmith in cities across the country and advertises in the yellow pages using local phone numbers and fake local addresses. A consumer might think they're dealing with a local locksmith but their phone call is actually connected to a call center located in the Bronx borough of New York City.
Consumers are quoted a reasonable price over the phone but when the locksmith arrives - typically in an unmarked vehicle - he demands significantly more money than originally quoted, often only accepting cash.
A complaint from Cleveland, OH, where Dependable Locksmith was operating under the name "Superb Solutions," alleges the company quoted fees of $39 and $84 for separate jobs, but the bill ended up at $471, which included add-on fees such as a $65 breaking in fee and a $58 fee to uninstall old locks.
Another complainant reported that the locksmith sent to let her into her car demanded she pay twice the price quoted over the phone. The locksmith offered to drive her to an ATM to get cash - feeling unsafe the victim refused. The victim was ultimately forced to write a check made out personally to the locksmith as he would not let her into her car until she did so. She cancelled payment on the check the next morning, but eventually filed a police report after the locksmith harassed her with continuous phone calls about payment.
The BBB has also heard many complaints from victims who say they were charged for unnecessary services. For example, complainants suspect locksmiths sent over by Dependable Locksmiths of pretending they couldn't simply pick the lock so that they could charge more and install all new locks in homes.
Some of Dependable Locksmith's aliases include, Superb Solutions, Locksmith 24 Hour, Inc., USA Total Security, Priceline Locksmith, and S.O.S. Locksmith.
Two other locksmith contractors fleecing consumers are Basad, Inc. - which operates under more than 50 names nationwide, such as A-1 Locksmith Service, A-1 24 Hour Locksmith, A-1 Lock & Key Locksmith, and AAA Locksmith 24 Hour - and Liberty Locksmith. Similar to Dependable Locksmith, they pose as local locksmiths and run full-page yellow pages ads with multiple phone and address listings. The phone numbers appear to be local, but connect to national call centers such as Liberty's in New York City, while the addresses end up belonging to other established businesses in the local area, or are simply non-existent.
Liberty Locksmith had been a BBB member in Tulsa, OK, but during normal BBB member validation processes, it was discovered that the addresses provided by the company were false. In June 2007, the BBB terminated the membership of Liberty Locksmith for providing false information in its membership application and providing misleading advertisements to the public.
Like others, Liberty Locksmith and Basad, Inc. use common cons such as quoting one price over the phone, but then charging significantly more on site.
"These companies are very good at posing as trustworthy locksmiths," said Mr. Cox. "Before you find yourself in the unfortunate position of being locked out of your car or house, do your research and find a truly dependable locksmith in your area. Ask around and always check with the BBB first to find reputable businesses."
If you feel you've been taken advantage of by Dependable Locksmith, Liberty Locksmith, Basad. Inc., or others, please contact the BBB to file a complaint, or do so online at www.bbb.org.
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Keep reading, it gets better: They're all over San Diego...
Superb Solutions / Priceline Locksmith / Dependable Locksmith
Did you know...
...That if you go to Yahoo! Local for the San Diego area, and search for "locksmith", there are 10 results on the first page (not counting the "Sponsor Results" or the "User Recommended" result). Out of that 10 results, none are local. In fact, the first two lead to Available Locksmith, Inc., where they proudly fly the ALOA flag, and claim licensing and bonding. Yet, on checking www.FindALocksmith.com (ALOA's member search), there are only 3 local locksmiths who are members - San Diego Lock & Safe™, Grah Security, and Accurate Security. Way to start off with the trust, eh? Available Locksmith Inc. is not listed as licensed in California either. In any case, on page two, only 2 - "Locksmith Express" and "La Jolla Locksmith" are licensed, local, locksmiths. Pages 3 through 5? One local, licensed locksmith. All other listings for the first 5 pages, including the ENTIRE first page of results, are the same unlicensed, NON-local company, using fake local addresses, templated websites, and various toll free numbers, all leading back to an apartment in the Bronx, New York.
Yep, they're ALL Priceline Locksmith AKA Superb Solutions Locksmith, and now, since being indicted and charged in state after state; Dependable Locksmith, under different, mostly UNLICENSED names, with conveniently local numbers. Every last one except for poor Jeff Bowers of Locksmith Express, who is as honest as the day is long, but who has to keep poor company like that just because his name has locksmith in it.
How 'bout page 2 of the results? ALL 10 are Priceline Locksmith AKA Superb Solutions Locksmith. Page 3? One licensed, local locksmith. Page 4 on? I didn't find another honest, local, licensed locksmith until listing #70; Alcatraz (who are great guys!). All the intervening are Priceline Locksmith AKA Superb Solutions Locksmith AKA Dependable Locksmith. I'd keep checking but it's just too darn depressing.
In addition to that hooey, quite a few of the Sponsored Results are verifiably incarnations of Priceline Locksmith AKA Superb Solutions Locksmith AKA Dependable Locksmith. Names such as: USATotalSecurity, 1-Locksmith, San-Diego-Locksmith, Top-Locksmith, the list goes on, and on, and on...
Other Sponsored Results are simply unverifiable as being above board as the names they give, such as 247SanDiegoLocksmith and/or atozlocksmith (same company), are NOT licensed, yet when confronted, the businesses named insist that they are licensed, under other, non-local state licenses (in another name), a clear violation of California State BSIS (California Bureau of Security and Investigative Services) locksmith code as noted below - This violation, in itself, renders the named businesses as illegal, as they are operating under a name other than the one they claim they are licensed under, making it impossible for a customer to a) verify their license, or b) have any legal recourse (state level) for recovery should something go wrong:
BUSINESS AND PROFESSIONS CODE SECTION 6980.34-6980.41
6980.34.
- (a) Every application for a locksmith license in which the person applying desires to have the license issued under a fictitious business name shall include a certified copy of the fictitious business name statement filed with the county clerk pursuant to Chapter 5 (commencing with Section 17900) of Part 3 of Division 7.
- (b) A licensee desiring to operate a locksmith business under one or more fictitious business names shall apply and qualify for an initial license for each fictitious business name.
- (c) No licensee shall indicate, or cause to be indicated, in any printed matter, or in any directory or listing, that he or she conducts a locksmith business under any name, other than the name for which he or she is licensed.
- (d) An application for a license for an additional fictitious business name shall be in the same form, and the applicant shall meet the same requirements, as for an initial license.
Most businesses who operate in this manner, using business names other than the one they are licensed in, are well aware that this leaves the customer with no state recourse (license level), only civil, and only if you can prove that they did wrong. A monkey wrench in this for the customer is that it is illegal for any customer to hire an unlicensed contractor or locksmith. As these types of businesses know, you can't verify their license, you can't prove that they are, or are not, affiliated with a licensee, because by default they use a business name not permitted under the license they claim affiliation with, therefore any claim you make would be thrown out in a civil court, as you did not hire a legally licensed locksmith in the first place, in violation of state code.
Nice Catch-22 eh?
If you are a legal, licensed, bonded, above board locksmith, with nothing to hide, why would you go to such great lengths to disguise your license? To use business names NOT licensed? To not follow the very laws you signed up for when you started working in this state? All questions worth considering, if not asking, before you hire a contractor or locksmith... Beware also, any locksmith who displays the ALOA (Associated Locksmiths of America) symbol on their website, without being a member, and in the ALOA database (Click HERE to verify ALOA membership at any time), as atozlocksmith does. What does this say about integrity?
By the way, the front page of ALOA (Associated Locksmiths of America) has a link on the left side titled: Take Action Against Phony Locksmiths. Click on the very bottom link - Unfortunately, ALOA does not keep their links up to date, and some of these are dead, but the ones that aren't are worth reading!
Who is Priceline Locksmith AKA Superb Solutions Locksmith AKA Dependable Locksmith you ask? Well, let me tell ya...
- They are a consumers worst nightmare.
- They are the bane of every licensed locksmiths existence.
- They are under indictment and facing a variety of lawsuits in several states (Illinois, Wisconsin, Virginia, California, New York, Florida, etc.) for fraud, fraudulently inflated prices, fraudulent tactics, aggravated home repair fraud, failure to provide proper estimates, failing to display a city license, charging for services not performed, fraudulently substituting parts, failing to obtain approval before performing more expensive work, taking out confusing ads using another business name...
Wait! If I name ALL the charges, this Scams page will be 8 miles long... I'll address it more in depth in a "Notes from the Trenches" locksmith blog post coming up very soon.
Don't take my word for it, run a Google search with any or all of the following search terms:
"David Sasson", "Shlomo Hadar" "Priceline Locksmith" "Superb Solutions Locksmith", "Dependable Locksmith" or a combination of any of the above. (Search engine tip... Searches work best when quotation marks are used to enclose any query involving more than one word that goes together, for instance: "David Sasson" - This will find ONLY instances of that term where both words are side by side as quoted.)
Moral of the story?
Locksmiths, by default, have access to your most private areas. They have access to your keys, your key codes, your safe combinations, your financial, your family, and your children's security.
VERIFY any locksmiths state license before you hire him/her!
For your own protection, for your own safety, for your families safety...
As always, complaints about both licensed, and unlicensed locksmiths in San Diego County can be directed here: California Department of Consumer Affairs
More to come...
January 1st, 2006
People who like to pretend to be US! (But do a really lousy job of it)
"San Diego County Lock & Safe"
"SD County Lock & Safe"
"San Diego County Locksmith,"
*** Click for important info ***
Links to News Stories about the ongoing Nationwide Locksmith Scams
Media / News Articles for 2007 (to date)
Laws are key to cleaning up locksmith business (October 29, 2007)
Beware of Locksmith Swindles (October 29, 2007)
What's the Key to Finding Reputable Locksmiths? (October 19, 2007)
Locksmith scam may have hit Tucson (September 30, 2007)
Man sentenced for fraudulent locksmith scheme (September 26, 2007)
Some Locksmiths Cost Customers More Than They Bargained For (September 20, 2007)
Picking a locksmith at random could cost you (September 2, 2007)
Unlicensed Locksmith Enters No Contest Plea (August 30, 2007)
Some Bay Area People Fall For Locksmith Scam (August 22, 2007)
Locks myth (August 20, 2007)
Avoid Shady Locksmiths (August 9, 2007)
A dependable locksmith? (August 3, 2007)
'I feel like they ripped me off' (July 24, 2007)
Locksmith Imposters (July 19, 2007)
Locksmith scam makes a bad day even worse (July 19, 2007)
The Locksmith 'Mafia': Making an Estimate You Can't Refuse (July 18, 2007)
Call 4 Action: Out-Of-State Locksmiths Picking Local Customers' Pockets (July 17, 2007)
Locksmith trial set (July 14, 2007)
Locked out? Don't fall for this locksmith scam (July 13, 2007)
Locksmiths Pick Your Wallet (July 13, 2007)
Skepticism The Key To Avoiding Locksmith Scam (July 12, 2007)
Update: Unlicensed Locksmith In San Mateo County Jail (June 28, 2007)
Investigators Open Up Alleged Locksmith Scam (June 11, 2007)
CBS 5 Investigates Locksmith Scam (June 10, 2007)
Phony Locksmiths Fined (May 31, 2007)
Better Business Bureau Revokes Six Memberships (May 29, 2007)
Locksmith Investigation (May 26, 2007)
Putting The Lid On Law-Breaking Locksmiths (May 25, 2007)
Lawmakers Taking Action On Unlicensed Locksmiths (May 23, 2007)
Investigators: Door Jam (May 3, 2007)
Tips for Choosing a Locksmith (April 30, 2007)
Lousy Locksmiths (March 20, 2007)
Unlicensed Locksmiths Run Rampant In S.F. (February 28, 2007)
I-TEAM: Locked Out And Marked Up (February 19, 2007)
Scam Artists Pose As Locksmiths (January 25, 2007)
I-Team: Deceptive Locksmiths (January 22, 2007)
Media / News Articles for 2006
Locksmith overcharged her, woman alleges (December 28, 2006)
N.Y. locksmith firm fined -- city says scams continue (November 19, 2006)
Hank Investigates: Lock crock (November 6, 2006)
Mistrial in locksmith fraud case after 'attack' on judge (October 31, 2006)
...Suspends License of Dependable Locksmith for False License (September 26, 2006)
DCA Sting Nabs Unlicensed Locksmiths Working in the Bay Area (September 7, 2006)
Suspended locksmith at work? (September 4, 2006)
State suspends locksmith's license: Firm inflated prices (September 1, 2006)
Price Line Locksmith License Suspended (August 31, 2006)
Valley woman locks horns with locksmith company (August 21, 2006)
Locksmith Consumer Alert (August 12, 2006)
Don't Get Ripped Off By Locksmiths (July 24, 2006)
Locksmith pleads guilty to fraud: Man linked to N.Y. firm billed 67 (April 5, 2006)
City sues N.Y. locksmith accused of price-gouging: Firm accused of (March 16, 2006)
Locksmith Again Found Liable for Fraudulent Practices (February 28, 2006)
Scum Alert (January 18, 2006)
Gypsies, Tramps, & Thieves (January 11, 2006)
Media / News Articles for 2005
Scammer Locksmiths Alert (October 7, 2005)
Consumer Services Offers Tips for Hiring a Locksmith (September 9, 2005)
Locksmith Found Liable for Fraudulent Practices (September 1, 2005)
City threatens to throw away key on locksmith (August 27, 2005)
Unlicensed Locksmiths Strike Again (August 25, 2005)
State Investigates Renegade Locksmiths (August 19, 2005)
Consumer Alert: Unlicensed Locksmiths Strike in San Francisco (August 12, 2005)
Out-of-state locksmiths picking on locals (August 1, 2005)
ALOA (Associated Locksmiths of America) Guide For Consumers
San Diego Locksmith, serving the communities of: San Diego, Pacific Beach, Mission Beach, La Jolla, Clairemont, Mission Valley, North Park, Kearney Mesa, Linda Vista, Scripps Ranch, Ocean Beach, Point Loma, Coronado, Del Mar, Chula Vista, El Cajon, Rancho San Diego, Encinitas, Escondido, La Mesa, Lemon Grove, National City, Poway, Rancho Santa Fe, Balboa Park, Horton Plaza, Grantville, San Carlos, Serra Mesa, Carmel Valley, Sorrento Mesa, Mira Mesa, Miramar, Rancho Bernardo, Rancho Penasquitos, Sorrento Valley, Otay Mesa, Encanto, Hillcrest, Mission Hills, Old Town, and more!
*(Please click here for a complete list of our coverage areas)
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