The Locksmith ‘Mafia’: Making an Estimate You Can’t Refuse
EmailA New York City-based locksmith business has been squeezing out competitors and fleecing customers across the country, drawing nationwide outrage from consumers and professionals alike, according to the Council of Better Business Bureaus (CBBB). The CBBB, a non-profit organization that provides information on businesses to the public, told the Blotter on ABCNews.com that Dependable Locksmith is the most notorious of a number of "bully" locksmith companies known by some as "the locksmith mafia." A CBBB reliability report about Dependable Locksmith asserts the company advertises in cities across the U.S., using addresses that appear local but are often non-existent. According to the CBBB, dispatchers in these areas pose as independently-run neighborhood locksmiths, and their late arrivals, unmarked vans, excessive fees and insistence on cash-only payments mark the modus operandi of the organization. Locksmiths as far as Denver "are literally afraid" to speak out against these companies because of their tactics, said Susan Liehe, spokesperson for the Denver BBB. Liehe added, "These sole-proprietor locksmiths are introverted, insanely ethical people who regard this whole operation with apprehension, resentment and fear. When I spoke with them, they couldn’t get off the phone quickly enough." The attorneys general of Illinois and Ohio sued Dependable Locksmith in December 2005 and June 2006, respectively, for repeated alleged violations of laws concerning consumer protection and deceptive business practices. The Ohio attorney general’s case is currently pending. The company was ordered to pay $2,875 in fines and cease its false advertising as a result of the Illinois attorney general’s case, according to the CBBB. "On the phone, they said it would cost $35 to unlock my car," said Carol Pintar of Oak Creek, Wis. "The guy showed up wanting to get paid first, but said $35 was just for coming out. He wanted another $95 to open the door." According to Pintar, when she came up short, the locksmith offered her a ride in his car to find an ATM. She declined, and the locksmith ultimately accepted a cash payment of $95 total — all the money Pintar had with her. As of today, the CBBB reliability report for Dependable Locksmith shows more than 100 complaints filed within the last year. Only 12 have been fully resolved. Dependable Locksmith did not return repeated phone calls from ABC News seeking comment. Click Here for Full Blotter Coverage.
RSS
Twitter
Facebook
Extortion, what’s the FBI doing, it crosses State line.
Posted by: marc | July 18, 2007, 9:24 am 9:24 am
I’ve seen an operation like this in action before. I locked my keys in my car out near a motocross track. The phone book had several listings and I began calling them. Spoke to the first one, the operator told me a guy would be on his way in a little while. Called the second listing. Different number, different address. THE SAME WOMAN ANSWERED THE PHONE THAT I HAD JUST SPOKEN TO!!! I tried another listing. again, different number, different address. SAME WOMAN ANSWERED AGAIN!!!!!
Posted by: Matt | July 18, 2007, 10:15 am 10:15 am
How is this newsworthy?
Typical ABC reported nonsense.
Posted by: NYC-er | July 18, 2007, 3:16 pm 3:16 pm
I’m a locksmith in southern Arizona & I find this article very depressing! 99% of Locksmiths take great pride in their work and often we open cars, homes and offices for free. You’re there to help someone out of a jam and often times when you do it for free or half price folks will call you up later for other work. All good Locksmiths NEVER charge to open a car with a pet or child locked in, it’s part of the code. Most of us charge a “trip charge” (most times under $40) to show up and figure out what the cost will be to complete the service. If someone doesn’t like the price at that point we smile and wave the trip charge. Bottom line, speak with your locksmith on the phone to get an understanding of the fees we charge…most times we’ll be happy to come out and give a quote for free. I hope the 1% of bad apples don’t sour the rest of us. Thanks :)
Posted by: Jeffery | July 18, 2007, 5:22 pm 5:22 pm
hey jeffery… this article **sticks up** for you and your fellow “proud” locksmiths, and it **separates** you from the “bad apples” … its doin you a favor. you serious?
Posted by: literate | July 18, 2007, 5:50 pm 5:50 pm
Dear NYC-er,
With all due respect, you couldn’t be more wrong. This is one nationwide scam that definitely deserves attention. I learned one basic thing from this article: if I get locked out of my car, I’m calling someone I trust–not these hooligans.
Posted by: News | July 18, 2007, 5:51 pm 5:51 pm
Dear nyc-er. I would like to say that this is a very news worthy story. I would bet that you are probably involved with one of these companies.
Thank you Mike Mitchell for a well done story. I hope you do followups on this one. It is much more sinister than most people know.
67 year old Ray Miller of streamwood IL was physically pushed and forced to pay 1710.00 to have his lock drilled open when he was locked out from a dependable locksmith employee. He was arressted and pled guilty.
These people are mostly Israeli nationals here on tourist visas and are not even supposed to be working. They have shown much disregard for the laws and authoritys her in Illinois.
Posted by: Mike Bronzell | July 21, 2007, 2:08 am 2:08 am
Matt, You haven’t got a clue or at Mike said, you are one of them. These people rip-off hundreds, if not thousands of people and ruin locks to open them. They then charge many times the retail price for a junk lock to replace the ones they ruin. If you are not one of them, I hope you don’t become one of their victims.
As for the fines they are charged when they are caught, they are a joke. One of their rip-off jobs will pay any fine.
Posted by: Autolockman | July 21, 2007, 11:34 am 11:34 am
These people are not LOCKSMITHS.. QUIT calling them locksmiths. They are imposters. If and when you see a man impersonating a police officer do you call him a cop. NO!!! So QUIT calling this scam artist locksmiths
Posted by: G.W. NULL | July 21, 2007, 11:51 am 11:51 am
I agree with Autolockman. These guys sure are as hell not locksmiths. Around my area, we refer to them as “drillsmiths”. I’m a locksmith myself, and people like this are an embarassment to us all. If a “locksmith” shows up to a job in a car, then he’s not a locksmith. If a “locksmith” shows up to a job with no equipment in his van, then he’s not a locksmith. I can blame comsumers for these guys too. If the consumer refuses to pay these outrageous “fees”, and call the authorities when these so called “locksmiths” try to extort them, they might already be out of business. If it’s an emrtgency, contact the authorties. They will point you in the direction of a reliable locksmith.
Posted by: Shaolin912 | July 21, 2007, 7:38 pm 7:38 pm
Shaolin912,
I agree with you that a locksmith should show up with necessary tools and equipment, but how does the body style of his vehicle determine whether or not he is a locksmith? Please explain.
Posted by: Paul Leys | July 21, 2007, 9:13 pm 9:13 pm
I agree, how does what he drives determine if he is a locksmith or a ripoff-mith? We used to use a pickup in our mobil business,it got totalled in an accident, so we were forced to work out of our car temporarally. Npw we use an suv. n our state and we are required to be licensed and have insurance. i dont see how the arizona locksmith can stay in business not charging a trip charge to come out. especially with gas prices. we don’t charge to unlock vehicles, just to come out except when they are locked in the trunk with no release button. houses we charge a minimum labor of 15 minutes and our trip charge. we are also members of the bbb. unfortunately for us, our company name is used by these fakes which i can for see as hurting our business more in the future. i hope no one uses the name of the company as thier sole reason to call or not call. these imposters are never local. customers need to make sure thier locksmith is local regardless of the amount of numbers. we have several that ring to one main #, but there is a reason. however, they are all local numbers. without repeat business and word of mouth we probably wouldn’t stay in business. hopefully consumers will be better educated after this. i personally think its the telephone companys who can stop these people. if they arent allowed to have a phone #, then they can’t rip off people. the phone companies ask for a name and a tax id#, thats it. they should require stricter documentation. especially when it comes to the publics security. my business is suffering and so are many, many other locksmiths. these imposters make so much money ripping off people, they buy multiple telephone numbers and flood the community with them so that those in emergency situations will end up with thier #. this is very news worthy. i am excited to see it in the news. the news is a big step to public awareness. thank you abc news
Posted by: F.Hodge | July 27, 2007, 3:26 am 3:26 am
Having been a locksmith and owned some shops … I can state categorically that 99% of locksmiths see themselves as public servants and expert tradesmen and are proud to be able to help others, ethically and with civility, honor, and integrity.
I concur with the fella who noted that most locksmiths are in it for the long haul, are reputable and caring members of their communities, and work hard to cultivate good citizenship and business in their communities, often giving or discounting their services where it would be a real hardship for someone to pay the fair and going rate.
Most never note these contributions but simply do them quietly as “what they think is right”.
I have seen them answer calls that were critical life and safety without charge (including extricating a child from a safe) and go out at night to remote and risky areas to help people.
These skam artists are just crooks, pure and simple, and we should not dignify their frauds by calling them locksmiths …
Is more regulation needed … no … what is needed is just to prosecute these frauds and get them banned from business in each city and state.
Simple …
Posted by: David Rahfeldt | July 28, 2007, 2:35 am 2:35 am
I didn’t mention anything about SUV or pickups. I used to locksmith out of an SUV. I’ve never seen anyone locksmithing out of a car. If you call a locksmith & he shows up in a Toyota Corolla, I would start looking through the yellow poages again. That wa my point.
Posted by: shaolin912 | July 31, 2007, 8:43 pm 8:43 pm
Actually, if they are in a car or a fully lettered van is not really the issue.
The Issue is: Is the guy who showed up a real locksmith or is he one of the phony locksmiths that have an estimated # of phone lines exceding 100,000 with a phony address attached to them or one of the thousands of professional looking websites, or full page yellow book ads.
The phonys are actually Israeli organized crime rings that are impersonating locksmiths thru advertising and send a well trained Israeli gypse out to Rip you off.
They bait and switch consumers on the price. Hit and run.
If you find yourself in a situation with one of these phony locksmiths. Tell them to hit the road and what ever you do do not pay them
Posted by: Mike Bronzell | August 8, 2007, 12:43 am 12:43 am
The entire country should mandate liciencing of all locksmiths.
Follow up and report all crimes with your congressman.
Only then will this trade become safe again.
Licienced locksmiths are there for your safety.
How much is your security and piece of mind worth to you !!!!!!!!
Posted by: lockman63 | January 1, 2008, 10:56 am 10:56 am
One of the major reasons these scam artists are surviving, even with the intense investigations of state officials, is because State’s cannot force telephone companies to turn off fraudulently used telephones. The telephone industry is federally regulated. Once local authorities get the power, after proper investigations and fault finding, to get local telephone companies to turn off the telephones to these creeps, then they will disappear overnight
Posted by: rick franks | January 4, 2008, 9:57 am 9:57 am
Something needs to be done! When are shop receives a call for pricing we give the customer the price and if the custom says that is alot more than the other locksmith qouted , we ask who the co. is and if is one of the many DRILLSMITHS in are local yellow pages we ask them to proceed with some caution & ck for I.D. & beware of the bait and switch.
If the co. is LEGAL & LOCAL we tell the customer that! WE don’t expect to be the cheapest Co. so if they got a better price from another locksmith not a DRILLSMITH than good for them!
I believe it is are duty to inform the public as much as possible, so if they call are shop we ask questions!If it seems to be a DRILLSMITH CO. we tell them.
Posted by: Brian | January 13, 2008, 12:11 pm 12:11 pm
the best way to find out if you’re calling a local locksmith…start asking about addresses. play a little geography. “you from chicago? what number is Western Ave?” everyone who lives in the city knows that or “name 2 towns that boarder ____”. if they hem and haw and/or have no idea, you’re not calling a local.
Posted by: joebagadonuts | February 8, 2008, 11:54 am 11:54 am
is it the real deal?
Posted by: locksmith washington DC | July 15, 2008, 3:27 pm 3:27 pm
You all make very good comments. I am a retired police detective who has been tracking these phony locksmiths and I can tell you that this is a nationwide organized scam.
Posted by: Larry Friberg | March 20, 2009, 9:36 pm 9:36 pm
I am responsible for my actions. Everry morning I wake up I am proud to be a locksmith. I never know what kind of calls or lock situations I will run into today. We are always striving to be prepared for whatever situation we may encounter today.Education & Expieriance
Is only part of what we are. Providing exelent customer service to our customers whith the kwoledge & skills & tools we provide is an life long enriching skill. It takes a lot of passion to be a good locksmith.
Its a shame I have to battle with these guys in my everryday life. I have to be carefull how I advertise. I have to be extra sensitive to customers who have been hurt by these so called self proclaimed locksmiths.When I show up on a job I will take another 5 to 10 minutes informing my customer why they have made the right choice and inform them what I am charging right down to the penny.
Should I have to endure this headache everryday 24 hrs a day because Google or Yellowpages.com or the local phonebooks are not diciplined enough to lock these imposters out ? There are hundreds of thousands of listings between a hanfull of these nationaly known companies in everry State City & burrow alley. Making it almost impossible for the everryday hard working Citizen of the United States to make the right choice to choose a good provider or service technician.
Do I now sound like a locksmith ?Is this what I have worked for & invested everrything I have to my trade and company ? Is this now my job to be a concerned citizen and stand up & take action not only for my trade and future but to do the right thing whithin my community and inform everryone I encounter and my local State rep my local locksmith organization and look for doors of oppertunity to take appropriate action.
Is this enough ? We will not be abble to rest untill these comanies ceses and Google ect does the right thing and pull there adds.
Posted by: Unlockyourdreams | April 3, 2009, 2:23 pm 2:23 pm
It seems to me that unless Google decides to clean up the index, there is little to be done. Perhaps, as Dave O noted to me, they should just not show Locksmith results in the Universal Local results until they can figure it out (if ever). Talk about slander and sleeze? Each geographical area has a LEGITIMATE locksmith legally registered trade union. These people have business licenses and train their locksmiths in apprenticeships for a year or more. A TRADE that has been around for hundreds of years and is well respected.
Posted by: Phoenix Locksmith | April 6, 2009, 7:18 pm 7:18 pm
good article…
Posted by: Disha | May 13, 2009, 1:36 am 1:36 am
My elderly father has been duped by this outfit. Locked himself out of his home and called a local locksmith in Sacramento. The locksmith damaged the door so bad that it had to be replaced because it was no longer secure. Locksmith claims Dependable should pay for the repairs because they dispatched him (from Florida)and he claims he was working for them. I turned him in to the Calif. Department of Consumer Affairs and got very little help from them. They did encourage the locksmith to pay for the damages ($1050) as I have a good case for a small claims action. The locksmith has paid $200. but has not made another payment in three months. I wish I could post a picture of what this idiot did. I’ve seen less damage caused by cops kicking in a door. Not only did he split and cracked the door, he managed to split the door casing on both sides from top to bottom. Amazing how much damage he did to a custom made solid core oak door. I will be filling a court case next week and Calif. Department of Consumer Affairs said they would assist me in getting the info I need to sue the guy. I only wish I could get a piece of Dependable Lock’s money.
My father flew 180 missions during World War 2 including the Berlin Airlift and he does not deserve what he got from these scam artists. I intend to post in the forums and file complaints with the Florida and California Attorney Generals.
Posted by: Dave S | September 26, 2009, 4:42 am 4:42 am
As sad as it sounds, this is all true.
The key to get the right locksmith is to have a local locksmith already. keep his number to emergency and make sure he is LOCAL.
Also, if you don’t have a locksmith ask for TOTAL PRICE when calling random companies and remember that you don;t have to pay if they try to gauge the price.
Posted by: Denver Locksmiths | May 12, 2010, 10:39 pm 10:39 pm
locksmith companies known by some as “the locksmith mafia.” but then we Lost our key they help us
Posted by: Denver Locksmith | July 1, 2010, 6:20 am 6:20 am
Interesting blog post. Getting a dependable locksmith support in fact needs essentially the most current obtainable burglar alarm.
Posted by: Locksmith Mississauga | October 17, 2011, 2:22 pm 2:22 pm
a few months ago i accidently locked my keys in the car in a bind i looked online for a place to unlock my car.. well we stumbled on run-local locksmith.. WORST MISTAKE!!! the guy came to my home was rude and an hour late! and he tried to charge me $135 and i was trying to tell him to go away i don’t want it but he lowered the price to 85 but still i had a intuition that it was wrong!! but he went and unlocked my car.. then told me they only take cash another red flag.. so he followed me to the bank and when i didn’t go fast enough he cussed at me! i left them messages callled them hundreds of times even called the better business bureau they need to be stopped because they are scams and give people that are legit a bad name!
Posted by: maria | November 8, 2011, 1:50 pm 1:50 pm