Uninsured Locksmith Businesses are Often Scams

When a locksmith isn’t insured (as well as licensed, and bonded), it’s often because the locksmith business is a scam. Scammers will often make promises of quick service at cheap prices, only to wind up charging you way more than you were expecting. Immediately upon having a locksmith arrive at your home or business, ask to see his or her credentials. If the locksmith doesn’t have insurance, refrain from continuing with the locksmith any further to protect yourself from a scam.

If Uninsured, You’ll Have to Pay for Any Damages

While most locksmith jobs go according to plan with no damages caused to the home or business, some—especially those locksmith jobs performed by non-licensed frauds—do lead to structural destruction. This is especially true if the locksmith insists upon installing a new lock or using a drill to enter your home or business (which may also be a sign of a scam).

Unfortunately, if the locksmith doesn’t have insurance, and any damage is caused, the locksmith may not be held liable for the damages; rather, you will be. This means that you’ll most likely have to pay for any damages to your property out of your own pocket, which can get pricey. When a locksmith is insured, then the locksmith’s insurance is responsible for paying for any damages that occur as a direct result of the locksmith professional’s work.

Resisting the Urge to Hire an Uninsured Locksmith

When you’re locked out of your home or office, the only thing that’s on your mind is getting back in. This is especially true when you have a project that demands instant attention, are in a rush, or it’s late at night. When you’re in a situation like this, it can be tempting to hire the first locksmith that pops up on a search engine’s search results page. While this may get your door unlocked, it could end up costing you hundreds of dollars in service fees, technician’s fees, and damages, and repair costs.

To avoid a costly mistake such as a hiring an insured locksmith, don’t take chances; instead, always call the team at A-1 Locksmiths. Our team has over 60 years of experience in the Dallas area, and we are fully bonded, licensed, and insured. If you have a commercial or residential locksmith emergency, we’re ready to help you!

Here, then, it is up to you as the consumer to perform due diligence beforehand to ensure you are receiving services from a licensed locksmith. But how can you protect yourself in this situation? And how, exactly, can you spot an unlicensed locksmith?

How to Spot an Unlicensed Locksmith

Perhaps the easiest way to spot an unlicensed locksmith is by requesting to see the locksmith’s Texas issued locksmith license, which will include the company or individual’s Texas locksmith license number as well. Once you are in possession of this license number, you can conduct a quick search in a database provided by the Texas Department of Public Safety; the results of the search should populate immediately. This search is free, and convenient and allows you to ensure that you are working with a licensed locksmith in the state of Texas.

In some cases, upon requesting the locksmith’s professional license, he or she may be wary to offer it to you directly, or tell one of many common stories; the locksmith may claim that he or she is licensed but was never granted a card, that the database search is incorrect, or that he or she is currently licensed but is waiting for the information to be updated online. These should act as immediate red flags; if the locksmith is licensed, he or she should be able to show direct proof of this licensure without giving excuses.

Conduct Due Diligence Before Hiring a Locksmith

Overall, the easiest way to protect yourself and your safety when hiring a locksmith is by performing basic research beforehand. Start by making sure that the locksmith you choose is licensed in the state of Texas. After that, however, continue by searching for reviews online or from friends or family members, and even asking the locksmith for an initial price quote. All of this additional information will help narrow down your search to help you find the best locksmith to meet your needs.

Need a Licensed Locksmith? Call A-1 Locksmith Today

The decision to hire a locksmith should not be taken lightly, considering he or she will have temporary access to your car, home or business. As such, don’t put your safety in the hands of just anyone. Instead, consider calling A-1 Locksmith today for help. Our professionals have years of experience, and are committed to providing exceptional service in the Dallas area.