Better Business Bureau warns of fake locksmiths

The Better Business Bureau (BBB) 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. Complaints about locksmith services have increased almost 75 percent since 2005.

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. Consumers who call are actually connected to a call center located in the Bronx borough of New York City.

Consumers are charged a significantly higher amount when the locksmith arrives than they were quoted over the phone. The locksmith typically arrives in an unmarked car, demands cash and performs bogus additional services, such as installing new locks instead of picking them. Most of these instances involve people being locked out of cars or homes.

One complainant reported that the locksmith demanded she pay twice the price quoted over the phone. When she refused, the locksmith offered to drive her to an ATM to get cash and wouldn't let her get into her car until she gave him a check. She subsequently canceled payment on the check and filed a police report.

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.

Anyone who feels they've been taken advantage of by Dependable Locksmith, Liberty Locksmith, Basad. Inc., or others, should contact the BBB at www.bbb.org to file a complaint.