Locksmith in Southern Indiana

11/25/2023

812 649 4081 Locksmith | Locked Out | Keys | Lock And Key Services | Emergency Locksmith Services | locksmith business | cheap locksmiths | Locksmith Residential | Emergency Mobile Lock | 24 Hour Locksmiths | Lock Smiths | Security Locksmith | Keyless Entry Systems | Emergency Locksmiths | 24 locksmiths | 24 7 Locksmith | Lock And Safe | Door Locks | 24 Hour Emergency Service | Lock And Key | Key Services | Security Locks | Emergency Roadside Assistance | Lockouts | Foreign Vehicles | Foreign Cars | Auto Locksmith Services | 24 Hour Locksmith Service | Locksmith Solutions | Private Homes | Emergency Lock | Emergency Opening

09/15/2022

Locksmith | Locked Out | Keys | Lock And Key Services | Emergency Locksmith Services | locksmith business | cheap locksmiths | Locksmith Residential | Emergency Mobile Lock | 24 Hour Locksmiths | Lock Smiths | Security Locksmith | Keyless Entry Systems | Emergency Locksmiths | 24 locksmiths | 24 7 Locksmith | Lock And Safe | Door Locks | 24 Hour Emergency Service | Lock And Key | Key Services | Security Locks | Emergency Roadside Assistance | Lockouts | Foreign Vehicles | Foreign Cars | Auto Locksmith Services | 24 Hour Locksmith Service | Locksmith Solutions | Private Homes | Emergency Lock | Emergency Opening

06/02/2022

Always Open, 812 649 4081

01/07/2020

11/11/2019

The question we were asked was: How Do You Spot Locksmith Fraud?
Sadly, I have realized that this is a very hard question to answer. Fake locksmiths have been a huge thorn in the side of real locksmiths since the 1980s. The issue of fake listings started in the phone books and then exploded with the Internet when the fake locksmiths realized that there was little to no oversight regarding listing authenticity and accuracy. These companies were able to spam the phone books, online directories, and maps with thousands and fake listings and phone numbers to generate confusion in the marketplace. We did a piece of this entitled Locksmith Fraud In America. Locksmiths have tried to combat the proliferation of this scam using media awareness, legal recourse, and regulation.



The fact is that real locksmiths are typically family-owned businesses with unique approaches to operating their businesses. We do our best to present ourselves honestly and professionally but it’s easy for fraudsters to imitate real locksmiths and that makes it easy for fraudsters to take advantage of unsuspecting consumers.

Who you choose to invite into your home it is a serious decision. Locksmiths become aware of very personal information such as where you live, how to get into your house, and even where you keep your home safe. We know you are entrusting us with your safety and personal information, so we want you to choose a reputable company.



On that note, I think consumers should be aware and:
1) Do research ahead of time. Call around, check reviews, get their business license, locksmith license, and insurance information.
2) Check websites and pages for authentic pictures.
3) Get an upfront quote and if the scope of work changes on site, agree on pricing before allowing them to proceed.
4) If you feel uncomfortable, don’t be afraid to call the police.
5) Get a receipt when the job is completed.



After polling a group of about 1,000 locksmiths, most locksmiths agree that the big issues that should throw red flags are:
-No upfront pricing or super low pricing upfront.
-Non-work appropriate vehicle. Ie unmarked sedan.
-No business name on invoices
-No insurance
-No tax collected on paperwork.
-No business card or identification
-No uniform
-Bait and switch pricing (low price upfront ie $15, $19, $29 service fee, then huge bill once the job is done).
-The locksmith immediately resorts to drilling the lock.



To this day the problem persists. Locksmith fraud is very hard to spot, especially to the untrained eye. This is exactly why we are so passionate about increasing the exposure of the 1800-Unlocks locksmith directory. Our goal is for there to be one place on the Internet with a real community of peer-reviewed locksmiths wherein customers can be guaranteed they’ll be safe no matter who they call. We hope this information has been helpful!

Redfin's marketing team contacted 1800-Unlocks to be included in an article entitled Top Experts Answer the Most Urgent Home Security Questions. So we thought it would be fun to share all of our thoughts on the 1800-Unlocks blog.

11/02/2019

Free Quote

10/24/2019

I locked my car. As I walked away I heard my car door unlock. I went back and locked my car again three times. Each time, as soon as I started to walk away, I would hear it unlock again!! Naturally alarmed, I looked around and there were two guys sitting in a car in the fire lane next to the store. They were obviously watching me intently, and there was no doubt they were somehow involved in this very weird situation . I quickly chucked the errand I was on, jumped in my car and sped away. I went straight to the police station, told them what had happened, and found out I was part of a new, and very successful, scheme being used to gain entry into cars. Two weeks later, my friend's son had a similar happening....
While traveling, my friend's son stopped at a roadside rest to use the bathroom. When he came out to his car less than 4-5 minutes later, someone had gotten into his car and stolen his cell phone, laptop computer, GPS navigator, briefcase.....you name it. He called the police and since there were no signs of his car being broken into, the police told him he had been a victim of the latest robbery tactic -- there is a device that robbers are using now to clone your security code when you lock your doors on your car using your key-chain locking device..

They sit a distance away and watch for their next victim. They know you are going inside of the store, restaurant, or bathroom and that they now have a few minutes to steal and run. The police officer said to manually lock your car door-by hitting the lock button inside the car -- that way if there is someone sitting in a parking lot watching for their next victim, it will not be you.

When you hit the lock button on your car upon exiting, it does not send the security code, but if you walk away and use the door lock on your key chain, it sends the code through the airwaves where it can be instantly stolen

Be wisely aware of what you just read and please pass this note on. Look how many times we all lock our doors with our remote just to be sure we remembered to lock them -- and bingo, someone has our code...and whatever was in our car.

Snopes Approved --Please share with everyone you know

10/18/2019

When it comes to having any sort of lock work done on your home or business, there’s no substitute for hiring a qualified, reputable locksmith

Arrests and lawsuits around the country accuse shady locksmiths of price gouging, intimidation and misleading consumers. Read more on how to avoid a scam.

10/15/2019

Seattle woman warns...
SEATTLE - A Seattle woman says a scammer posed as the locksmith she called for help -- and used a credible business to bilk her out of hundreds of dollars.

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When Judi Gibbs tried to call a locksmith she knew in Magnolia, to get her doors re-keyed, she Googled the business – Gabe’s Lock and Key.

She saw the website, the address, and the call button. She hit the call button and scheduled an appointment.

"And somebody showed up at the front door of the appointed time and said he worked for Gabe," Gibbs said.

Instead of replacing the part of the lock where the key goes in, Gibbs said the man installed all new hardware and charged her $407 for it – much more than she was expecting.

"I called Gabe, and he said, 'Hey, that's not me. I didn't do that.' And at that point I realized what had happened," Gibbs said. “I was really upset! I cannot tell you how upset I was,” she said.

Gibbs called Seattle police and her bank to halt the charge.

She says after talking with police, she realized from a smart phone, the calls can be hijacked.

Worried that the scammer kept a copy of her house key, she had the real Gabe swap out the locks again.

Gabe De Gaalon, who owns Gabe’s Lock and Key, told KIRO 7 that he's been a locksmith for decades.

"I feel sorry more so for the clients, because the clients are spending all this money for sub-par service. Also, they're giving locksmiths, legitimate locksmiths, a bad name," he said.

While seeing his fair share of scams, he says manipulating a phone number from a smartphone is a newer one. His advice is to ask for a business card or check the number on a locksmith's website, comparing it with search results.

The Washington Attorney General’s office says it’s not yet heard of complaints of calls getting “hijacked” yet, but encourages you to file a complaint if you feel like you’ve been scammed.

It recommends you to program a reputable locksmith’s phone number into your contacts, after you find one. The AG’s office also offers these tips to help keep yourself safe:
• If you’re locked out of your car and have a roadside assistance service, call them first. These services sometimes are included with the purchase of a car, as an add-on through your insurance company or through a membership club such as AAA.
• Ask for referrals. When I needed a locksmith last month to install a dead bolt, I asked for referrals from a neighbor and my condo association manager. I received two similar quotes, checked out reviews online and ensured the company I selected had a physical location. In situations where you have the time, check out locksmiths with the Better Business Bureau (www.bbb.org) to make sure there are no unresolved complaints on file.
• Use a locksmith with a shop. A physical location or shop ensures that you have a way to contact the business in case of a problem, but of course you’ll need to confirm the address. There are good mobile-only locksmiths out there, and if you received their name through a reference, by all means use them.
• Dial a local number and listen to how the person answers the phone. If a company answers the phone with a generic phrase like "locksmith," rather than a company-specific name, be wary. Ask for the legal name of the business. If the person refuses, call another locksmith.
• Get an estimate for all work and replacement parts from the locksmith before work begins. In cases of a lock-out, most legitimate locksmiths will give you an estimate on the phone for the total cost of the work. After the work is completed, demand an invoice.
• Ask for ID, including a business card. Expect the locksmith to ask you for identification, as well. A legitimate locksmith should confirm your identity and make sure you’re the property owner before doing any work. Some legitimate locksmiths will work out of a car for quick or emergency jobs, but most will arrive in a service vehicle that is clearly marked with the name of the business.
• Remember, this person has the keys to your car or home. So if you’re not comfortable with the service provider, refuse service.

A Seattle woman says a scammer posed as the locksmith she called for help -- and used a credible business to bilk her out of hundreds of dollars.

10/15/2019

Now, the company is expanding its machines capable of duplicating electronic keys — like RFID cards and fobs to offices, residential buildings and vehicles. It can also code the RFID key into a sticker. It cost a CBS News journalist just $25 to copy an apartment building key fob

KeyMe is making it easier to copy electronic access cards and key fobs – and some security experts are worried