Tuesday, June 9, 2009
Showcase Minnesota Segment
It was a great experience being on Showcase Minnesota. Below is the link to view the show. I hope we can help the community be better prepared when selecting a locksmith in the future.
http://www.showcaseminnesota.com/show/client_article.aspx?storyid=779840
http://www.showcaseminnesota.com/show/client_article.aspx?storyid=779840
Saturday, June 6, 2009
MN ALOA
I had the pleasure of meeting a few of the people from the Local ALOA ( Assosiated Locksmiths Of America) What a great bunch of folks. I wish I would of taken the time over the last few years to get to know them, but I was to focused on building the Pop-A-Lock Business. These folks are really going after the scammers and phony Locksmiths. They are committed in raising the professionalism of our industry and I really applaud their efforts. They are recommending that you use two web-sites to find a legitimate Locksmith. www.findalocksmith.com and or www.legallocksmith.com
If you get a chance look up their web-site too. http://www.mnaloa.org/
If you get a chance look up their web-site too. http://www.mnaloa.org/
Thursday, June 4, 2009
Think you have been ripped off by a Locksmith?
If you are having work done by a locksmith and they charge you substantially higher than what you were quoted when they finish the job, "DO NOT PAY THEM" and "CALL 911". Most consumers think they can't do anything about Phony Locksmith or think they have to pay, but the fact is you have rights under the consumer protection laws and if what they are charging you is different from what you were told then you can dispute this on the spot. If you get threatened, call 911 to get the police out ASAP. You also need to file a complaint against them with the AG and consumer protection agency.
The best way to avoid this issue is to make sure they are accredited with the BBB with a B+ or better rating. You can also use web sites like findalocksmith.com or legallocksmith.com to avoid the scammers. The locksmiths on those sites have been screened and deemed legitimate locksmiths.
One last thing, Make sure you get a firm quote before they start the work so there is no misunderstanding or surprise when the work is done. Phony locksmiths like you to be in the dark so they will give you very soft figures and hope you don't probe further.
The best way to avoid this issue is to make sure they are accredited with the BBB with a B+ or better rating. You can also use web sites like findalocksmith.com or legallocksmith.com to avoid the scammers. The locksmiths on those sites have been screened and deemed legitimate locksmiths.
One last thing, Make sure you get a firm quote before they start the work so there is no misunderstanding or surprise when the work is done. Phony locksmiths like you to be in the dark so they will give you very soft figures and hope you don't probe further.
Monday, May 18, 2009
Minnesota Show Case on KARE 11
Pop-A-Lock MN is going to be a featured guest on Minnesota Show Case on KARE 11 on June 9th at 10:00am Central.
This is a very popular morning show in the Twin Cities and we are looking forward to sharing some great tips to help the residents in the Twin Cities stay safe.
Please make sure you tell your friends and family. More details to come.
This is a very popular morning show in the Twin Cities and we are looking forward to sharing some great tips to help the residents in the Twin Cities stay safe.
Please make sure you tell your friends and family. More details to come.
New tool to fight the scammers
Larry from legallocksmith.com is now on twitter. If you want to keep up with how the fight is going against the scammers sign up and become a follower. The information is below.
I would like to invite all of our Legal Locksmiths.com members and anyone else that is helping fight the phonies to follow us on http://www.twitter.com/. If you are not familiar with Twitter, it is a free and easy way to share information instantly with anyone. There is so much happening with the fight against the phonies that I would like to share these things with you as they happen. You can sign up for a free twitter account then search LegalLocksmiths and then click follow. You can also set it up to receive our updates on your cell phone via text messages. If you cannot follow us on Twitter I will be sending out periodical e-mails from time to time giving updates that way. So if you want to jump into the next generation of the internet, come follow LegalLocksmiths on Twitter. Thank you!
I would like to invite all of our Legal Locksmiths.com members and anyone else that is helping fight the phonies to follow us on http://www.twitter.com/. If you are not familiar with Twitter, it is a free and easy way to share information instantly with anyone. There is so much happening with the fight against the phonies that I would like to share these things with you as they happen. You can sign up for a free twitter account then search LegalLocksmiths and then click follow. You can also set it up to receive our updates on your cell phone via text messages. If you cannot follow us on Twitter I will be sending out periodical e-mails from time to time giving updates that way. So if you want to jump into the next generation of the internet, come follow LegalLocksmiths on Twitter. Thank you!
Friday, May 15, 2009
Court Order to stop phony locksmiths
AG Cooper Wins Court Order To Stop Phony Locksmiths
By Press Release, Press Release, 3 hours, 37 minutes agoUpdated: May. 15 1:08 pm
RALEIGH, N.C. -
Attorney General Roy Cooper today won a court order to stop a network of phony locksmiths from ripping off North Carolina consumers.
“It’s frustrating to find yourself locked out of your home or car, and it’s even worse when someone you call for help tries to rip you off,” Cooper said. “Taking advantage of vulnerable customers is no way to do business, and we’re stepping in to stop it.”
Wake County Superior Court Judge Paul C. Ridgeway Thursday agreed with Cooper’s request for a temporary restraining order to bar several locksmith companies and their owners from advertising, offering or performing any locksmith services in North Carolina. Cooper is seeking a permanent ban on the companies, refunds for consumers, and civil penalties of $5,000 for each illegal act by the companies.
Named as defendants in the lawsuit filed today are: 704 Locksmith, Inc. of Charlotte which does business in the Triangle area under several names including Raleigh Locksmith, Durham Locksmith, Apex Locksmith and Smithfield Locksmith; NC Charlotte Locksmith which does business throughout central and western North Carolina using a variety of names such as Charlotte Locksmith, Concord Locksmith, Hickory Locksmith, and Shelby Locksmith; Anna Konevsky of Charlotte, president of 704 Locksmith and NC Charlotte Locksmith; Locksmith Services, Inc. of Charlotte, which also operates as Cary Locksmith and Atlantis Locksmith; and Tamir Avraham of Charlotte, president of Locksmith Services, Inc.
According to the Attorney General’s investigation, the defendants advertise online and in the yellow pages using names, telephone numbers and addresses that make their companies appear to be local. In many cases, they use names and addresses that belong to legitimate locksmith businesses. No one who works for the defendants is actually a licensed locksmith as required by law, but the companies advertise and perform locksmith services.
North Carolina consumers have called these companies looking for a local locksmith who could come let them into their home, business or car. As alleged in complaint filed by Cooper’s office, consumers are routinely quoted one price on the phone and then charged a much higher price by the locksmith who shows up to do the work. Consumers are typically told that their lock must be drilled even when that isn’t necessary, which will cost them $100 more and destroy the lock. People are then charged another $100 or more to replace their destroyed locks. The defendants usually demand payment in cash, refusing to let consumers pay by credit card.
As cited in the complaint, one Cary consumers’ experience illustrates the way the defendants operate. After getting locked out of her home, the consumer used a neighbor’s computer to locate a locksmith, Cary Locksmith, which was actually Locksmith Services. She called the phone number listed and an agent from the company showed up an hour later. He told her that it wouldn’t cost much to get back in her home. After he drilled through the lock to open her door, he told her she owed $215 plus another $100 if she wanted the lock replaced. She wanted to pay by credit card but the agent insisted on cash, even offering to drive her to the ATM. She refused and eventually paid by check—which the agent at first wanted her to make out to him rather than to the company.
To avoid falling victim to similar scams, Cooper recommends the following tips:
Whenever possible, check out a business before you do business with them by calling the Attorney General’s Office and the Better Business Bureau. People who practice skilled trades such as locksmiths are required to be licensed. Before someone does work for you, ask if they’re licensed and write down their license number. Get a price quote in writing before you agree to any work. For services you may need in an emergency, such as a locksmith or plumber, find a good one before an emergency happens. Ask family and friends for recommendations, check them out and then save their contact information so you’ll have it when you need it. “Shutting down scammers protects consumers and legitimate businesses,” Cooper said. “Let my office know if you spot a potential scam.”
Consumers can call the Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division at 1-877-5-NO-SCAM to check out a company or file a complaint.
By Press Release, Press Release, 3 hours, 37 minutes agoUpdated: May. 15 1:08 pm
RALEIGH, N.C. -
Attorney General Roy Cooper today won a court order to stop a network of phony locksmiths from ripping off North Carolina consumers.
“It’s frustrating to find yourself locked out of your home or car, and it’s even worse when someone you call for help tries to rip you off,” Cooper said. “Taking advantage of vulnerable customers is no way to do business, and we’re stepping in to stop it.”
Wake County Superior Court Judge Paul C. Ridgeway Thursday agreed with Cooper’s request for a temporary restraining order to bar several locksmith companies and their owners from advertising, offering or performing any locksmith services in North Carolina. Cooper is seeking a permanent ban on the companies, refunds for consumers, and civil penalties of $5,000 for each illegal act by the companies.
Named as defendants in the lawsuit filed today are: 704 Locksmith, Inc. of Charlotte which does business in the Triangle area under several names including Raleigh Locksmith, Durham Locksmith, Apex Locksmith and Smithfield Locksmith; NC Charlotte Locksmith which does business throughout central and western North Carolina using a variety of names such as Charlotte Locksmith, Concord Locksmith, Hickory Locksmith, and Shelby Locksmith; Anna Konevsky of Charlotte, president of 704 Locksmith and NC Charlotte Locksmith; Locksmith Services, Inc. of Charlotte, which also operates as Cary Locksmith and Atlantis Locksmith; and Tamir Avraham of Charlotte, president of Locksmith Services, Inc.
According to the Attorney General’s investigation, the defendants advertise online and in the yellow pages using names, telephone numbers and addresses that make their companies appear to be local. In many cases, they use names and addresses that belong to legitimate locksmith businesses. No one who works for the defendants is actually a licensed locksmith as required by law, but the companies advertise and perform locksmith services.
North Carolina consumers have called these companies looking for a local locksmith who could come let them into their home, business or car. As alleged in complaint filed by Cooper’s office, consumers are routinely quoted one price on the phone and then charged a much higher price by the locksmith who shows up to do the work. Consumers are typically told that their lock must be drilled even when that isn’t necessary, which will cost them $100 more and destroy the lock. People are then charged another $100 or more to replace their destroyed locks. The defendants usually demand payment in cash, refusing to let consumers pay by credit card.
As cited in the complaint, one Cary consumers’ experience illustrates the way the defendants operate. After getting locked out of her home, the consumer used a neighbor’s computer to locate a locksmith, Cary Locksmith, which was actually Locksmith Services. She called the phone number listed and an agent from the company showed up an hour later. He told her that it wouldn’t cost much to get back in her home. After he drilled through the lock to open her door, he told her she owed $215 plus another $100 if she wanted the lock replaced. She wanted to pay by credit card but the agent insisted on cash, even offering to drive her to the ATM. She refused and eventually paid by check—which the agent at first wanted her to make out to him rather than to the company.
To avoid falling victim to similar scams, Cooper recommends the following tips:
Whenever possible, check out a business before you do business with them by calling the Attorney General’s Office and the Better Business Bureau. People who practice skilled trades such as locksmiths are required to be licensed. Before someone does work for you, ask if they’re licensed and write down their license number. Get a price quote in writing before you agree to any work. For services you may need in an emergency, such as a locksmith or plumber, find a good one before an emergency happens. Ask family and friends for recommendations, check them out and then save their contact information so you’ll have it when you need it. “Shutting down scammers protects consumers and legitimate businesses,” Cooper said. “Let my office know if you spot a potential scam.”
Consumers can call the Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division at 1-877-5-NO-SCAM to check out a company or file a complaint.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
