Beware of ‘Mr $45’ Scammers!

These days, online scams are all too common. While you might imagine you would never fall prey to one, these sophisticated scammers can catch anyone out – even if you are looking for a reputable locksmith!

The $45 Scam

With a Google search being the most popular way for people to find a locksmith in their local area, scammers have become well aware of this and are targeting the Google SERPS to take advantage of vulnerable customers with a very reasonably priced $45 locksmith.

Great, you might think, that’s so affordable! The website looks professional, and you can get in touch easily… but slow down. As it turns out, this is a scam site – and your money and personal data will be in danger if you try to book them!

Do Your Research

So, if you need a locksmith and you pull up a search engine to find one local to you, how can you spot a scam? It can be tricky, but a good looking website does not necessarily mean a locksmith is legitimate. You should take a look at the site to see if you can find:

• Genuine contact details – name, address and phone number
• Genuine reviews from previous customers
• Master Locksmiths Association of Australasia

Further to this, you might want to ask around. Chances are, your friends and neighbours have most likely used a locksmith before at some point, so asking for word of mouth recommendations is a good idea.

Though this might be difficult in an urgent situation, doing so in advance could save you from a scam. Or if in a hurry, simply phone up a few locksmiths just to make sure you have something to compare the information to.

Be Realistic

Another key factor when looking for a reputable locksmith is the cost. A fully trained and professional locksmith will probably not be able to carry out a thorough job for $45. If something looks too good to be true, it most likely is, and paying a little more is always worth it to get the service you deserve!

It is all too easy to get caught out by scammers, especially when you need help quickly. But make sure that you don’t get caught out by this new wave of Mr $45 scammers the next time you need a locksmith.

Go for the quality locksmith North Shore Sydney resident’s trust. When you use Lock, Stock & Barrel Locksmiths, you can be sure that we are a licensed and reputable locksmith that you can rely on – so get in touch today.