We all love a good bargain, but at what cost? I like the old saying, “If it sounds to good to be true, then it probably is”. Over the last few years around Australia, there have been locksmith scams, by people posing as qualified locksmiths, who will come out to homes, cars and businesses to carry out locksmith work for the bargain price of $45! Gain entries to cars, homes, safes and businesses, even advertising that they can make keys to vehicles!
These $45 scammers have been known to be tourist or back packers on a working visa, who have no training, no qualifications and no security licenses to carry out locksmith duties. Scammers target people who are drawn to cheap pricing, in vulnerable situations, such as being locked out, victims of a robbery or lost their keys. In nearly all of these cases, the customers were left with damaged locks, damaged property and out of pocket exceeding $500. The scam was created by someone with IT skills, who created locksmith websites, who used false names and ABN numbers. This person was hiring back packers and tourists to carry out works and only accepting payment via credit card. Offering locksmith services for $45 and when the “locksmith” was on site, the prices were changed and customers were charged a lot more.
It’s important to note that no highly skilled locksmith, will get out of bed at 3:00am, to gain entry to your car for $45, nor will they come out to you during normal business hours for that bargain price! A $45 call out fee, wouldn’t cover the insurances, licences, fuel and other business running costs. As an example, our gain entry price is anywhere between $150-220, during business hours and the prices increases after business hours.
This unfortunate safe, met a $45 scammer, here, in WA. I am not sure what the final price was on this type of ‘handy work’, but this poor customer is also in the market for a new safe. Locksmiths who specialise in Safe work, most certainly would not gain entry to a safe in this way. This particular safe is not a cheap one by any means and it would have taken the $45 scammer a while to gain access to it. Whether it’s a safe, house, car or business, a professional locksmith can usually gain access to it with no damage. If damage is done, for example if a lock needs to be drilled, the locksmith will usually replace the barrel at no additional cost to the customer.
In Western Australia, locksmiths are required to have specific licences to carry out works on their customers homes and vehicles, it doesn’t just stop at being qualified. There are three licences that are required for any locksmith to have.
1. The Security Agents Licence. This licence is issued by the WA Police and locksmiths must undergo a security test in order to have it. This licence allows the locksmith to advertise his services as a locksmith.
2. The Security Installer and Consultant Licence. This licence is also issued by the WA Police and this licence allows the locksmith to install and consult with customers in regards to specific natures of the industry.
3. WA Motor Vehicle Repairer Certificate. This licence is for Automotive Locksmiths only and it allows the locksmith to carry out work on vehicles, which can be car keys, car diagnostics and vehicle antennas to name a few.
To obtain the first two licences, the locksmith must undergo a Security Test, carried out by the WA Police and these are renewed every three years. It is imperative that these licences are kept current or hefty fines are issued.
In Australia, to become a qualified locksmith, you have to have completed a 4 year apprenticeship. In New Zealand when Tony obtained his Master Locksmith qualification, he was trained by his work place and then was required to sit a series of tests over a few months to prove he had the skills and knowledge to be a Master Locksmith – obviously he passed his test, back in 2004.
A few years ago we had a customer, who was locked out of her house inform us that she had someone else out prior to us and they couldn’t find a way into the house. She said they were trying all the windows and doors, looking for a quick way in and after 2 hours on site, he gave up and left. Lucky for this customer, she didn’t pay a cent. She described the man to have turned up in an older style car, no uniform and on his website noted the gain entry price was $45. She went with him, because of the price and once he’d left, she contacted us to carry out the work. Tony was there for about 15 minutes and successfully gained entry to their house. We asked the customer for the persons details, but she didn’t know their business name, so we were unable to report it.
Fortunately due to the security licensing laws being very good in Western Australia, we haven’t seen too many of these cases. However in places like Victoria where you only need a licence if you carry out works on safes or electronic locks, scammers have been able to operate quite freely.
With all that been said, how do you know the difference between a real locksmith and a scammer? Below are some helpful tips for you to identify a qualified trades person, no matter what the trade.
Look at the phone number, does it look like a local number to you?
The phone number should look like a local number, either a mobile number or a local land line number.
Does the website end in ‘.com.au’ or is it just ‘.com’?
Most businesses in Australia will use ‘.com.au’, ‘.com’ is America.
Does the locksmith have the right tools?
This one might be hard to spot, but generally locksmiths will gain entry using small tension tools and will only use a drill if they absolutely have to. They should most certainly not be trying to dismantle the lock as a first attempt.
Does the website have proper images / do they look real or have stock images been used?
Stock images are images that look fake. Most trades persons use images of their own business, including images of their vehicles and their employees, so they look more relatable or local.
Does the locksmith have a trades vehicle or a sign written vehicle?
In the security industry, it is likely that a locksmith wouldn’t advertise on his trade vehicle. If the trades person turns up in a car with no proper tools, then this should ring alarm bells.
Is the writing on the website proper English?
In many cases, if you take the time to read the blurbs that have been written on these scammer sites, the English has been written poorly and words are often not spelt correctly.
Does the business have a street address?
It’s very common for mobile locksmiths not to provide street addresses, because they don’t have a shop premises and due to the nature of the job, private home addresses are not listed. This would be the same for plumbers, electricians and other trades persons where they are ‘one man bands’.
Does the business have a proper email address? Or are they using gmail or hotmail accounts?
Most businesses these days have email addresses that are associated with their business name, like ‘@altitudelocksmiths.com.au’. They usually do not use gmail and hotmail accounts.
Does the business provide an ABN or ACN number on their website?
Most legitimate businesses will provide their ABN or ACN numbers on their website and if not, they should be able to supply you with it, if you ask.
Do they advertise prices that seem rather cheap?
Sometimes we don’t know what the price will be, even in an urgent situation, give another locksmith a call to compare pricing if you’re unsure. If it sounds too cheap, then it probably is too cheap.
Does the website have the locksmiths licence numbers, qualifications and any locksmith association member numbers or members of other local entities?
Most trades persons will advertise their trade qualifications, licences and memberships of associations. It can usually be located at the bottom of the front page of their websites.
Is the locksmith wearing a uniform that identifies the business?
All trades persons should be in uniform and the uniform should identify the business name clearly.
What payment methods does the business accept?
Most businesses within Australia will accept cash or card payments, some will even accept direct bank transfers. No business should only accept cards.
Can the locksmith or trades person provide you with physical evidence of their licences?
With any trades person, that hold current licences, they should be able to provide you with the licence on request. In our trade, Tony carries these licences with him all the time.
Just remember if it sounds to good to be true, then it probably is too good to be true. Always follow your gut intuition and if you feel something’s not right, you can ask the person to leave. If you are threatened, call the Police immediately.
If you or someone you know have been a victim of a locksmith scam, gather as much evidence as you can including photos, phone numbers you used to contact them, invoices and payment transactions. Make a police report with all your supporting documents as soon as you can. Ensure you give reviews to the necessary websites to alert others, to help them avoid being scammed.
Article Credit: Altitude Locksmiths Image Credits: Altitude Locksmiths, MSC Safe Company and Canva
