USA Locksmith reviews and complaints

We accidentally locked ourselves out of our apartment by manually locking the doorknob. When a locksmith came out to this company to respond to our "locked out" call, he removed the key that was stuck in the top lock, and then said right away that the top lock was busted without even trying to open it (pick it). He said both locks were broken and he would have to drill them out. I asked him how much that would cost, figuring we did not have a choice if we wanted to get into the apartment, and he said that the costs start at 75.00. I asked him to tell me what it would be total, and he said he would not know until he figured out exactly what needed to be done. I left the room for a few minutes and came back and the whole job was finished, and he wrote me out a bill for 593.85. He explained that he had had to hurry, because there was a woman with a baby locked in the car (which I discovered one of their service people had told somebody else who complained in this site!). I paid it, thinking that this must be the exorbitant but standard cost for this sort of service. Later, I researched the cost of locks, realized that the 127.00 and 143.00 that was charged for the top and bottom locks (respectively) was exorbitant, and after talking to a customer service rep. at the company, was told that those were on the high end and that the locksmiths are supposed to give you a range of options. After I explained that we would not have chosen the most expensive locks given the choice, the customer service rep. took 60.00 off the cost of the locks. After speaking to my bank, I later found out that they never even took off this fee, as they promised they would.

At this point, we thought that the locksmith was being truthful and that the locks were broken, and were planning to ask our landlord to pay for the cost, considering that we were not able to open the top lock of the apartment on the very first day we were moving in. The following day, we spoke to the landlord, who informed us that he had just replaced both locks and checked them three times before we moved in.

We called USA Locksmith & explained what our landlord had told us and that we believed we may not have even needed to have new locks installed. We asked that they come and take off the locks they installed and told them that we would like our money back for those locks, citing the 90-day guarantee on the bill. We said that we would cut our losses and just wanted them to remove the locks and refund us for that portion of the bill, and we would not contest the 55.00 service call and the 230.00 emergency lock out fee.

The customer service representative, Richard Lawson, told us that he would not have anybody come out and would not refund us any portion of the cost, and that he decided what the "All work is guaranteed for 90 days" and to him it just meant that if the locks didn't function, they would repair them. He said he could interpret the guarantee however he wanted because it was his guarantee. He refused to take off the locks and refund us any of our money. Next, we looked online and realized there are many entries with similar stories to ours. Please save yourself the headache and money and don't use this company. It is clear that they have scammed people in similar ways in many different situations.

Please join a civil class action against this company. They have scammed many people out of money, they say that they are installing top quality locks without giving you the choice for cheaper locks and end up giving you extremely cheap locks (Guard Security). Multiple attorney generals in various states have sued them, they are being investigated by the Better Business Bureau, and the Locksmith Association has tried, to no avail, to get phone companies to stop giving out their information when people call 411. To have your name added to the civil suit as a victim, call Allied Locksmiths of Maryland at 410.556.6250. The owner is organizing the suit.

You need to file a complaint with your attorney general. That is what these types of companys do. Take your money. Many of their employees are here from the middle east just to hit and run and rip off a consumer. These are what the industry calls phony locksmiths. they advertise under so many names and phony addresses it is almost impossible to find a real local locksmith.

File a complaint with your AG office

I was on my way to a training class and clients of mine were locked out of their new house because the agent came and got the combo lockbox before my client could get there. We felt that we should pay for a locksmith so I looked one up on my web browser on my phone and thought I was calling a local company. I was told it would be $39.00 for the service call and $45.00 for each lock that needed changing. I asked about having them rekeyed. I explained that my client could not get in the house and she had painters there waiting to get in to paint. I gave them my credit card based on these figures and thought at the most I would be out around $150.00.

I was in my class and I get a call from someone named Brian who tells me the bill will be over $500.00, I was floored and I was helpless. My employee talked to the technician at the site and told him to take his locks and leave - he said he couldn't take them off because then they would be used merchandise. My client asked the guy to stop the work and leave and he would not. I told Brian I objected with the charge, but he said he would be charging it anyway and he had my cedit card number. I told him that is not what I agreed to and I would be taking it up with American Express. Well I took it up with American Express and they came down on his side - I was so mad! I feel totally taken advantage of and ripped off - These people are crooks! DON"T USE THEM! If I can help fight them I will.

got locked out accidentall manually turned the knob and forgot to put my house key in my pocket, it was sunday: paid 55 just for them to come and 197.00 for him just to drill a hole in the knob it is winter. s247 for what 15 minutes yes i know it was a sunday at 9:00 am and off hours etc. God is not sleeping he was not asleep when all those banks go broke can u imagine the millions they rob from ppl, they had no reason to loose right they went to school for this big wigs with big degrees. Dont worry usa locksmith you wil get yours next.

These people charged $200 after quoting $55, and then used threatening behavior against my wife to make her pay cash and sign a waiver saying she had no complaints. USALocksmiths.com is a total scam using thieves who take advantage of women on their own. They are complete fraudsters and should be shut down.

http://badcompany.wordpress.com/2008/11/24/usalocksmithscom-worst-of-the-worst/

NEVER EVER EVER USE a locksmith company that answers USA Locksmith. We were locked out of our car. They couldn't even give an estimate as to how much it would cost to get in (this was a '95 - easy to open) - only that there was a service call fee of $39.95 + labor. The labor (for a 5 MINUTE JOB) was $160... Because it was my young son with no credit cards or checks, he had to call me to pay and we were stuck paying... ridiculous. google search for locksmith locally listed 8 - at least 7 of those were USA Locksmith... WHAT A TOTAL SCAM!

These people ripped me off too..$592.78 for getting locked out.

These guys (USA Locksmiths) are the biggest rip-offs around. They charged us $149.50 to cut a $26 lock off a scooter which took 3mins to cut. They charged $39.50 just to come out and my scooter was located 1.5 miles from their supposed location of 2 Watertown Rd, in Watertown Ma. I drove out to the location, to find a pizza place at that address. The additional $110.00 was the charge for cutting the lock off. COMPLETELY REDICULOUS! I was actually out of town when the service was being carried out. My girlfriend didn’t realize how much at all something like this would be and paid the guy because she felt unsafe standing alone with him at the location. He didn’t tell her beforehand that it would be that much yet when I called the company he works for they say that all their locksmiths are to let the customers know how much it will be before performing the service. This was not the case here! I have since called the locksmith directly and he’s hung up on my twice! Just from me asking, “how do you justify charging $149 to cut a $26 dollar lock that took you 3mins to do?” I could have bought a lock cutter at Home Depot for $40 and cut it myself if I knew it would have cost me over three times the amount to have them do it. So, I called the company he works for at the [protected] (USA Locksmiths) which is actually listed as “24 Hour A Locksmith.” Such a dishonest operations! They have just been giving me the run around for days now. Every other locksmith I’ve called since quoted me a price of $40 to have the same thing done. Do yourself a favor and DON’T DO BUSNESS with these people. They all are thieves and liers! I've talked to a Lisa and a Brian in costumer service. Brian is apparently a supervisor who has directly lied to me on several occations. They don't want to do the right thing as a company, they want to hire Shady people to do Shoty work for outragous prices. They aren't even a local place, they just seem to buy up local number all over the US and port them back to their main number I think is located in NJ at [protected]. Richard Lawson who apparently is the manager is supposed to be calling me back for 5 days now. I'm sure I'll never receive that call just like I've never received any of the others. I just want to tell my story and let people know that these guys are bad news and something needs to happen with shutting them down.

CALL YOUR LOCAL ATTORNEY GENERAL!

This company is all over the country, and they sub-contract locksmiths to do their work. Be careful when calling those full page yellows page ads.

I was locked out of my car last night and I was unsure of what to do for the moment, I was panicking and then someone told me not to worry to just call 411 and a locksmith can help. I did just that and I got the this company called usalocksmith, in around 40 minutes a locksmith arrived at my location he jimmied the door open and charged me something like $65 dollars to do it. I was happy with the service and was glad and appreciative of the service.

I was not to sure about using this ccompany but I had no other choice. I was very stressed out because all the other lockmith companies that I was calling puting me on hold. So I had to call USA hoping that I would not have issues with them. The dispach told me that someone would be arriving to me in about 30mins so I waited and waited and waited and and soon 30mins turned into an 1hour and a half, and went he finally showed up he did the job and charged me the price that I told on the phone. So at the end of the day I was happy other than the time wait.

RUN from USA locksmith as fast as you can!
POOR, POOR, POOR service and AWEFUL OVERCHARGE. This company takes advantage of people and refuse to deal with any customer complaints. They do not quote over the phone, but every technician just scam you at place and charge as much as he possibly can. They charged me $220.00 for a simple lock out - the guy was done in 2 minutes (well, I do understand that time doesn't matter) but please, other companies charge $75.00 for the same thing. The technician was rude and refused to let me know the name of the company, the name of his supervisor and the address. The invoice he gave me had no company name on it! REALLY BAD experience - call USA Locksmith for their services and they will take advantage of you for as much as they can! IT IS IMPOSSIBLE to prove anything afterwords! RUN, RUN, RUN from USA Locksmith, DO YOUR RESEARCH and give your business to some company which doesn't do SCAM as USA Locksmith!

I recently had to, to call a locksmith to open the door to my home I after I locked my keys inside, when I called information, USA Locksmith was the number that they gave me. So when I call for a technician to come I was told that someone would be there in about 30mins, and that it would cost $39.99 plus a service charge so I agree, the technician finally came out and did the job and I only had to pay $95 and I was happy with that and the work that was done. And I would not have a problem with calling them again, A very helpful and dependable company. Their only flaw is the time it takes them to come out. However when they do come the job gets done.

REVISED...PLEASE READ THIS NOTICE IF YOU'RE THINKING ABOUT USING USA LOCKSMITH. I have never dealt with any company as unprofessional and incapable as these folks. BUYER OF SERVICE..BEWARE!

Their quotes over the phone areVERY different from the cost once they arrive. Secondly, they will not tell you upfront how to pay for your service until they are done (e.g., check, credit card, cash). They would not accept a check but failed to tell me until they completed the work. WHATEVER YOU DO...PLEASE DO NOT GIVE THEM A CREDIT CARD. I GAVE THEM CASH BECAUSE I WOULDN'T TRUST THEM AS FAR AS I COULD THROW THEM.

In the end, my lock was installed improperly and is giving me problems. HOWEVER, I wouldn't have these folks back if my life depended on it. Unscrupulous group of shisters.

BEWARE!

Do NOT use USA Locksmith!
I managed to lock myself out of my house about three weeks ago. Fortunately I had my phone so I called a local number, the locksmith said he was going to be with me in 30 mins. I did not think to ask how much they charge as I was pretty upset about being locked out. The guy showed up 2+ hours later, telling me to be thankful he was able to make time at all and complaining about having to come all the way from Manassas, VA! Before locking myself out I had been tanning in the sun, so I was wearing a bikini. The guy (he said his name was Sean) kept staring at me and making inappropriate comments!

He tried different methods to open the lock, all of them unsuccessul. I finally thought to ask him about the price, he said $139 plus $39 service charge. I thought $180 wasn't so bad, after all I deserved to pay the stupid tax!
I don't know much about locks, but what Sean did to my door did not look very professional! Finally, he is able to open the door and writes a bill over $420. I just wanted to get rid of him and decided not to argue over the price. He told me he won't be leaving before I would give him a kiss! When I said I was going to call the cops he finally got back in his truck and left my property.

I left the door open for the dogs to go in- and outside but when I tried to lock it in the evening I realized that the lock was broken! It was late, so I decided to wait to call USA Locksmith until the next day. When I called, they told me I was out of luck, they told me they would send someone to fix the lock, however it would cost approximately $250. I obviously was not going to use their services anymore, so I called the number of another locksmith. My "new" locksmith came out to my place about 20 mins after I called him, he was very pleasant, fixed the lock in no time and charged me $60.

Today I looked at my bank account statement and realized that USA locksmith charged me an additional $70 for calling them on the next day and then not using their services! I am absolutely stunned and can't believe the way they treated me.

If you want professional service without getting ripped off... please don't use USA Locksmith.

These guys are not a local company as they claim to be. They charged me $11o to cut the lock off of my scooter and charged a $39.50 service fee on top of that. It took this guy between 4 and 5 minutes!
I called the company to see how the price was determined and the guy could not give me a clear answer. First it was the security level of the lock... then it was what kind of tools he had to use (he did not have to use a saw or a drill... he used cutters!). My advice to you? Make sure you call a LOCAL locksmith - a good old mom and pop place that isn't going to rip you off!

Do not deal with any with this company or any of its su-companies!

I needed locks rekeyed for a rental property and did online search for closest company to the property...called the company (24-Hour Emergency Locksmith, Jefferson Davis Highway)...set the appointment and was quoted the fees for rekeying. On day of service, an unmarked personal car showed up with "locksmith" saying it would take approx. 1 1/2 hours to rekey 2 deadbolts and 2 door handle locks. Two plus hours later, the new key did open the lock but you could not get the key out unless you pulled "just right". The guy said it would easily work in a day or two with use and that was the best he could do!

I left the key on site for plumbers to get in the next day and they could not get the key out of the deadbolt lock which caused an array of new problems. Calling the [protected] number on the business card connected me to a call center in TEXAS! Don't even attempt to connect to customer service because you will stay on hold forever. The problem is still unresolved. My suggestion for other consumers - do not let a anyone with unmarked company vehicle without proper key making equipment on site do any work on your locks. If all they have is a small box with key parts in it with a file to make keys...ask them to leave.

First, I would like to say THANK YOU to all of the other people who have posted their experiences with this company. You saved me from making a huge mistake.

My husband and I needed our attic door opened. (It was locked, we didn't know where the keys were and someone was coming the next day that needed access to the attic to install a new a/c unit.) I looked online until I found what I thought was a local locksmith company, so I called. They told me that they would be there at 11, and the charge would be $55 plus labor. That's great, I thought- so I waited. 11 came and went, no one showed up. I called again, they told me that there was an emergency with a woman being locked out of her car and her baby was inside, so my technician had gone there instead, and that another technician was on his way. This technician called me about an hour later, and told me that he was 2 minutes away. Again, I thought, great! They're late, but that's okay- they'll get it done.

30 minutes went by- so I called the number that the technician had called me from. He told me that he had gotten in a car accident, and he was waiting on the police- so they would have to send me another technician. I called dispatch at this point. (This was about 1:00) They said there was another person on his way. I said fine, getting a little perturbed. Then I decided to google this company, and I found this website. I also found the better business bureau website, talking about locksmith companies ripping people off that had practices suspiciously like this one. At that point, I decided that I was going to cancel my appointment- it was 1:50 and no one had shown up, and the more I read the more uncomfortable I got, being a woman, in my house, all alone. So I called the number back and told them that I would like to cancel my appointment, because I had been waiting and they were now almost 3 hours late. The guy who answered the phone was incredibly rude, after I told him this, and argued with me about canceling, telling me that the locksmith had driven 40 minutes to come do this job and he was only 5 minutes away. I said that I had heard that already today, and I didn't care- I wanted to cancel, because they hadn't kept their end of the deal. He hung up on me.

A minute or so later, my phone rings. It's him again, and he says (in a very nasty tone) "I forgot to tell you, there's a $55 cancellation fee." I said, "Oh no there's not- I'm not paying- you guys didn't show up!" Then- this is what scared me- he got really nasty. He started telling me that he was going to call the police and have me arrested- when I talked back to him, incredulous that this is even happening, he told me that I had better turn myself in right now, because they were going to come and arrest me. Verbal intimidation of the worst kind. I told him to go ahead and have the police come to my house, I would like to explain to them what was going on and get their opinions, and that he didn't even have to call if he didn't want to- I would. Then I hung up the phone.

2 minutes later, there's a knock on my door. When I looked outside, it was a man in an unmarked regular white car, with no uniform on, nothing. After my confrontation on the phone, there was no way in the world I was opening that door being a young woman at home by myself. I was literally shaking with fear (that they would try to open my door, being locksmiths and all) and anger (because of the way I had been treated).

The man hung around for a few minutes, called my cell phone 3 times, and then left. I also received a call from dispatch at this time- I didn't answer. I called my husband and told him what had happened. He asked for the number and called them, and let them know that in no uncertain terms that if they ever called his wife and threatened her again, that there would be huge consequences. They were backpedaling furiously with him, apologizing and saying that they couldn't believe that I was treated that way.

From my experience, this company seems to prey on women. Beware! I can only imagine that if they were trying to use that kind of verbal intimidation on the phone, that in person it would have been so much worse. Scary.

Thank you to everyone who shared your experiences- you saved me a great deal of trouble, and probably money.

I was refered to USA Locksmith by a friend and when I locked myself out of my car one night, So I called them to help me out and the dispacther told me that someone would be out to help me in about 25 to 30 mins. I was very cold and it was starting to rain so I was really prayin that someone would come out fast. So after about 20 mins the tech came and it only took him less than 5mins 2 open the lock. And was charged $105, I was not mad at all about having to pay that amount. because the job was done good and in a orderly fashion and I was happy with the job. ;)

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Home News Center BBB Warns Consumers of Nationwide Locksmith Swindle :You may have been a victim and not even know it
7/10/2007

Arlington, VA – July 10, 2007 –Better Business Bureau (BBB) today is warning consumers to beware of untrustworthy locksmith companies that are ripping off consumers across the country.

Victim complaints to 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.

“Ironically, these companies operate under names like ‘Dependable Locksmith’ but in reality they exploit the vulnerable situation of consumers who are locked out of their house or car, ” said Steve Cox BBB spokesperson. “We’ve found that some locksmiths have made taking advantage of consumers’ misfortune part of their business model.”

Complaints about locksmith services to the 114 BBBs serving the U.S. increased almost 75 percent from 2005 to 2006, and have continued to come in steadily during the first half of this year.

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. A consumer might think they’re dealing with a local locksmith but their phone call is actually connected to a call center located in the Bronx borough of New York City.

Consumers are quoted a reasonable price over the phone but when the locksmith arrives – typically in an unmarked vehicle – he demands significantly more money than originally quoted, often only accepting cash.

A complaint from Cleveland, OH, where Dependable Locksmith was operating under the name “Superb Solutions, ” alleges the company quoted fees of $39 and $84 for separate jobs, but the bill ended up at $471, which included add-on fees such as a $65 breaking in fee and a $58 fee to uninstall old locks.

Another complainant reported that the locksmith sent to let her into her car demanded she pay twice the price quoted over the phone. The locksmith offered to drive her to an ATM to get cash – feeling unsafe the victim refused. The victim was ultimately forced to write a check made out personally to the locksmith as he would not let her into her car until she did so. She cancelled payment on the check the next morning, but eventually filed a police report after the locksmith harassed her with continuous phone calls about payment.

BBB has also heard many complaints from victims who say they were charged for unnecessary services. For example, complainants suspect locksmiths sent over by Dependable Locksmiths of pretending they couldn’t simply pick the lock so that they could charge more and install all new locks in homes.

Some of Dependable Locksmith’s aliases include, Superb Solutions, Locksmith 24 Hour, Inc., USA Total Security, Priceline Locksmith, and S.O.S. Locksmith.

Another locksmith contractor fleecing consumers is Liberty Locksmith. Similar to Dependable Locksmith, it poses as a local locksmith and runs full-page yellow pages ads with multiple phone and address listings. The phone numbers appear to be local, but connect to a national call center in New York, while the addresses end up belonging to other established businesses in the local area, or are simply non-existent.

Liberty Locksmith had been a BBB member in Tulsa, OK, but during normal BBB member validation processes, it was discovered that the addresses provided by the company were false. In June 2007, BBB terminated the membership of Liberty Locksmith for providing false information in its membership application and providing misleading advertisements to the public.

Like Dependable, Liberty Locksmith uses common cons such as quoting one price over the phone, but then charging significantly more on site.

“These companies are very good at posing as trustworthy locksmiths, ” said Mr. Cox. “Before you find yourself in the unfortunate position of being locked out of your car or house, do your research and find a truly dependable locksmith in your area. Ask around and always check with your BBB first to find reputable businesses.”

Consumers who feel that they’ve been taken advantage of by Dependable Locksmith, Liberty Locksmith or others, can go to www.bbb.org to file a complaint with their local BBB.

Reporters and journalists may contact Alison Preszler, CBBB’s Media Relations Specialist or call [protected] to request an interview or additional information.

About BBB
BBB is an unbiased non-profit organization that sets and upholds high standards for fair and honest business behavior. Businesses that earn BBB accreditation contractually agree and adhere to the organization’s high standards of ethical business behavior. BBB provides objective advice, free business BBB Reliability ReportsTM and charity BBB Wise Giving ReportsTM, and educational information on topics affecting marketplace trust. To further promote trust, BBB also offers complaint and dispute resolution support for consumers and businesses when there is difference in viewpoints. The first BBB was founded in 1912. Today, 126 BBBs serve communities across the U.S. and Canada, evaluating and monitoring nearly 4 million local and national businesses and charities. Please visit www.bbb.org for more information about BBB.

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HOW TO TAKE ACTION AGAINST "PHONY LOCKSMITHS"
Below are links to various news outlets, consumer protection agencies and state Attorney General offices addressing the issue of "phony locksmiths". The story is familiar in many states: an out-of-state company hires a number of unscrupulous individuals in the area to sub-contract its work using assumed business names, fake addresses and phone numbers. Many times consumers have been over-sold, under serviced, or just plain lied to!

The Illinois Attorney General filed criminal charges against a New York locksmith operation for setting up phony storefronts with unlicensed individuals practicing locksmithing that lead consumers to believe they were dealing with local companies. The action was successful, and the company was ordered to pay thousands in restitution, to cease operations and to no longer do business in the state under a new name or any of the 25 different names the company had been using in local telephone directories!

ALOA encourages locksmiths who are facing this same situation to go to their state's Attorney General who can take the appropriate legal action against these fraudulent companies. ALOA recently sent a letter to all Attorneys General urging them to pursue this matter in their state. For a copy of that letter, Click Here . To contact your state's Attorney General, go to Click Here .

ALOA is also empowering you to take immediate action when these fraudulent operations show up in your city. Click Here for a Press Release that you may send to your local print and broadcast news media outlets. Make sure you put in the date and the name of your city in the highlighted areas.

For further assistance, contact ALOA Legislative Manager, Tim McMullen at [protected] x300 or tim@aloa.org

Click here to view the Phony Locksmith Press Room with various reports of Phony Locksmiths

I am sure that you people have had a real bad experience but just to share my experience as it was really good to hire services of Run Local Locksmiths technicians.
I went off locking the door inside out by mistake as the new technology door of high security, I called one of the local artisans and they said we can not give this services as this technology is not with us .
I placed two guards on the door that night and tried another artisans they replied in the same manner. I called Run Local Locksmith as they operate 24hours*7nights and even on holidays. I called them at night around 12am and the technicians was available at my place in 15mins he checked the door and replaced the lock in 25mins with the high proficiency and effectiveness.
I was so happy and delighted with the services that the charge of $450 seemed too reasonable to me. I believe when it comes to services no one can be as good as them . The company and the technicians are wonderful at there work.

DO NOT CALL USA LOCKSMITH! THEY HAVE HELD MY DEBIT CARD HOSTAGE AND CHARGED ME NEARLY $600!

On Saturday, August 16, 2008, I called USA Locksmith to help me with re-entry to my apartment. I had been participating in a service project in Africa for 2 weeks, and on the return flight the airline lost my luggage, which contained my house and car keys. I was quoted $55 for the fee to let me in by both RICHARD LAWSON and the technician named ABRUM.

When the phony technician arrived in an unmarked blue van, he told me that my simple, low-security locks could not be picked. He then DESTROYED both locks on my door and quoted me the already outrageous price of $150 to replace both locks. I was therefore expected to pay $210 for the total job, and the the TECHNICIAN HELD MY CREDIT CARD HOSTAGE AND CHARGED ME $577.80! I NEVER authorized the charge, never signed a written bill or receipt, and to this day don't have any documentation! To top that, I wasn't even given keys to one of the locks on my door!

I experienced the same evasive, blatant hang-up, horrendous customer service from RICHARD LAWSON during my many attempts to contact the company. I have had to call the police, the Better Business Bureau, Bank of America, the Governor's Office for Consumer Affairs, and every news station in Atlanta.

DO NOT CALL USA LOCKSMITH, and please share this with EVERYONE you know. No one deserves to fall victim to this scam, or to suffer any inconvenience as a result.

This type of locksmith fraud has hit Phoenix big time. And I, a legitimate locksmith company, have been working to educate consumers. You can see the information I've gathered at http://www.acmelocksinc.com/phoenix-locksmith-fraud.html .

USA Locksmith USA Locksmith ripped me off four times the price they gave on the phone... Horrible customer service... Liars Atlanta, Other Cities Georgia, other states
USA Locksmith
Phone: [protected]
Fax:
www.usalocksmith.com
Atlanta, Georgia,
U.S.A.
Submitted: 6/18/2008 5:21:29 PM
Modified: 6/18/2008 5:22:00 PM
Jasminev
Atlanta, Georgia
USA Locksmiths fooled me and never told me that they will charge me four times the price they gave me on the phone. $207 is not the amount you pay for a simple locksmith to unlock your car. It was a complete ripoff at the time I desperately needed someone to fairly help me not add to my problems. I wish they go to hell for ripping off a student like that who lives on every single penny.
They also have a HORRIBLE HORRIBLE customer service. Incredibly rude people.
After a thousand calls and wasting thousands of minutes waiting for ANYONE to speak to me(they passed the calls to each other all the time), they agreed(with maximum rudeness) to give only $40 sent back to my account.
and guess what? THEY NEVER DID !
LIARS LIARS!
It is so unfair to rip off someone in desperate need like that.
I hope you will never experience 'business' with them because you will terribly regret it.
Jasminev
Atlanta, Georgia
U.S.A.

HOW TO TAKE ACTION AGAINST "PHONY LOCKSMITHS"
Below are links to various news outlets, consumer protection agencies and state Attorney General offices addressing the issue of "phony locksmiths". The story is familiar in many states: an out-of-state company hires a number of unscrupulous individuals in the area to sub-contract its work using assumed business names, fake addresses and phone numbers. Many times consumers have been over-sold, under serviced, or just plain lied to!

The Illinois Attorney General filed criminal charges against a New York locksmith operation for setting up phony storefronts with unlicensed individuals practicing locksmithing that lead consumers to believe they were dealing with local companies. The action was successful, and the company was ordered to pay thousands in restitution, to cease operations and to no longer do business in the state under a new name or any of the 25 different names the company had been using in local telephone directories!

ALOA encourages locksmiths who are facing this same situation to go to their state's Attorney General who can take the appropriate legal action against these fraudulent companies. ALOA recently sent a letter to all Attorneys General urging them to pursue this matter in their state. For a copy of that letter, Click Here . To contact your state's Attorney General, go to Click Here .

ALOA is also empowering you to take immediate action when these fraudulent operations show up in your city. Click Here for a Press Release that you may send to your local print and broadcast news media outlets. Make sure you put in the date and the name of your city in the highlighted areas.

For further assistance, contact ALOA Legislative Manager, Tim McMullen at [protected] x300 or tim@aloa.org

Click here to view the Phony Locksmith Press Room with various reports of Phony Locksmiths

These are nationwide scammers they use phony addresses, bait and switch tactics. The are Israelis. In all fairness to decent israelis, I think these are Israelis from Nigeria :)
I would suggest filimg a complaint with attorney general in your state

Family says they were overcharged for lock

11:33 PM PDT on Thursday, July 3, 2008

By JESSE JONES / KING 5 News

Video: Family says they were overcharged for lock
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EVERETT, Wash. - Martha Smith thought she was getting was a top-of-the-line lock, but experts say she got overcharged for a product that broke down very quickly.

Martha was in a jam. She was about to go on a European vacation when her son gave her some bad news.

"He told us that his keys were stolen and his house key was on it and it was missing, " she recalled.

Seh got online and found USAlocksmith.com.

"I looked at the site, it looked reputable, " she said.

They sent a locksmith who charged $60 for the service call and installation, plus $150 for a lock.

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Northwest Locksmith Association

Associated Locksmiths of America
A little over two months later, the key "justed turned, there was no clicking, the door wouldn't open at all."

The new lock was broken, so she called information from her cell phone.

"I just called the 555-1212 and asked for a locksmith, " she said. "Could they connect me with a locksmith? They did and it happened to be USA Locksmith."

The locksmith arrived and asked Martha if she had the original lock. Because her son's keys had meanwhile been found, she gave the old lock to the locksmith who installed the same old lock he took out a few months earlier - at a cost of $200.

"I'm very frustrated, " she said.

Martha wanted her money back, and after getting nowhere with the company she called Jesse.

We took that $150 lock to Jesse Black, vice president of the Northwest Locksmith Association and asked if this lock looked like a $150 lock.

"This looks like a $25 or $30 lock you can buy at Home Depot, " Black said.

USA Locksmith is based in New Jersey and dispatches locksmiths based in the Seattle area.

Black says to be careful using out-of-state companies.

"They will sell grade one or grade two deadbolts that are not up to standard, " he said.

After speaking with USA Locksmith, they agreed to pay Martha $150 to replace her shoddy lock with a better product.

The best way to find a good locksmith is to look before you need one and not when the pressure is on. If you are locked out of your house or car, it's best to go online and check with the Northwest Locksmith Association or the Associated Locksmiths of America.

It's your best bet to find a local and competent locksmith.

If you have a consumer concern, give Jesse a call toll-free at 877-51-JESSE or send an e-mail to getjesse@king5.com. Print this story Add RSS Feeds Email this story Advertisement
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Family says they were overcharged for lock