LIE-Locksmith Scam Advice You Should Not Ignore

So who watched the ABC program "Lookout" this week and the segment about scam locksmiths?

Part of the information was old but a needed reminder of the following:

     1.When you are locked out of you home or business most locksmiths
        drill a lock that be easily picked adding up to hundreds of dollars.They
        also insist on cash payment
     2. Don't think because you are calling a 'local' locksmith that they are
         local. Many are based on other states and send independent
        contractors all over the nation. They get millions of calls and do not
        know anything about these strangers who are handing you your keys.
     3 .Every Company charged 3 or 4 times what they quoted on the phone.
     4. Most companies showed an address on google maps but when ABC
         went to these address's they were fake.
     5. We personally know of one Valley locksmith who employed a
         registered sex offender for 12 years. He does not do background
         checks before hiring.Pretty scary stuff! Now this individual owns his
         own company

SO LISTEN UP-HERE IS FLAM'S ADVICE: 

     1. LIE, YES I SAID LIE-When Flam's is not available we tell customers
         to say something like this-"I have locked myself out 3 times ( I am a
         ditz) so thankfully I know my locks can be picked". If they still drill
         it they are either inept or you have a high security lock which is
         designed to be pick resistant(note*even Flam's has had to drill a
         common  lock but it is only about 1% of the time)
     2. Find a local brick and mortar locksmith that runs 24/7 BEFORE you need
         them. Daytime hours provide more legitimate companies.
     3. As a general rule most locksmiths who run 24/7 service calls and have
         the largest ads are not the companies you would call for your more
         important security needs; that is the time you would call Flam's, of
         course. These other companies do mostly lockouts and do not have
         the required California State Contractor's License.

Protecting what you most value,

Vikki Flam