Day-in and day-out, we hear horror stories from our customers who almost got scammed by a scammer locksmith. Unfortunately, many times, people fall for the scams of these criminals.
Today, a very smart Calgary accountant did what we suggest everyone to do, think and refuse to pay. Mariya Savchyshyn owns a condo in Calgary and rents it out. She said her tenants asked her to replace their lock, and a Google search listed Locksmith Calgary at the top, so she called them without doing her searches to see that they are a scammer locksmith.
Finding out if a locksmith company is a scam is quite easy, here are a few simple steps from Terry Whin-Yates to catch them.
Tips from Terry Whin-Yates on spotting a locksmith scammer
- Do they provide unbelievably cheap pricing? The $29, $19, $39 dollar locksmith ads are a scam.
- Do they operate under different business names? Scammer locksmiths often run under different business names to shield their identity.
- Is their Google Maps location legitimate? Many locksmith scammers have their Google Maps locations out of gas stations, Starbucks locations, restaurants, or even a middle of a forest (we’ve seen it all). Pull up their location on Google street view and see where their address is, if it’s another business, it’s a fake. If it’s a house, it’s a scam. For example, the Locksmith Calgary scammer presents their address as 724 80 Ave SW, Calgary AB. This is a fake location.
Locksmith Calgary Scammer at 724 80 Ave SW
- Are they licensed? In British Columbia for example, you can check if a locksmith company is licensed or not by inputting their security license number into the following page – Security Licence Status Verification.
- Check their phone number! Copy their phone number into Google, does it appear in locations like Toronto and other provinces or states where the locksmith shouldn’t be? It’s a fake.
- Ask for the name of the business owner and a link to his or her biography, if the company is hesitant to provide the information of the owner of the company, stay away.
- Ask for ID and documentation. Do not let them start work without the company showing their security license, drivers license, insurance, and city business license. If they say “I don’t have it” or “I can send it to you later” or if it looks fake, refuse them doing the work, refuse to pay and send them away.
- If the locksmith gets aggressive or pushy with their tactics or if at any time you feel uneasy or uncomfortable, dial 911 immediately.
- Do they have a reputation? If you can’t find anything about them online such as a social media following or a clean track record, do not let them work on your property as they are most likely a locksmith scammer. Reputable locksmiths and locksmith business owners like Terry Whin-Yates, the owner of Mr. Locksmith and Mr. ProLock have a clean track record.
- Do they show up in an unmarked vehicle, or does their vehicle simply say “locksmith service” ? They are most likely a scam, do not allow them entry or to do any work on your property.
- Do they refuse to provide an invoice on the spot? Are there inflated or hidden charges? Refuse to pay and if they get aggressive, dial 911.
- Do they have a GST number on the invoice? Check if it’s legitimate here.
- Do they list their locksmiths on their website like on a team page with their name and pictures like we do with locksmith Vancouver? If not, you have to wonder why and what they’re hiding.
There are many more warning signs to catch a scammer locksmith. Just use your head and if you can’t determine if they’re fake or not, don’t use them!
One big warning sign which Mariya Savchyshyn should have caught onto was the fact that the scammer locksmith, Locksmith Calgary used the tenant’s phone to phone her. Why wouldn’t they use their own cell number? Because these scammer locksmith’s do not want repeat customers.
Scammer locksmiths such as locksmith Calgary operate on a one-hit basis. They scam you, and then they request an extreme amount of money and force you to pay. Because of the bad experience they provide, they don’t expect you to call back which is why they provide an illegitimate invoice with a fraudulent tax ID, a fake address and at often times as well, a fake phone number.
Thankfully, when the scammer locksmith called Mariya Savchyshyn to say that he’s done, she caught on. Locksmith Calgary refused to provide an itemized invoice for the inflated invoice which was triple the cost, $773.85 as per CBC.
“And I’m like, that’s weird, because usually the customer has to receive an invoice, look at it and then pay, right?” said Savchyshyn.
“I’m an accountant myself, and I know that no one is going to send me money until they see the invoice.”
When Savchyshyn refused to pay without knowing exactly what she was paying for — she says the company threatened to send the bill to a collection agency.
Terry Whin-Yates states that threats are common with scammer locksmiths. We’ve heard from people that the scammer locksmiths have gotten violent with violent threats, verbal threats, death threats and unfortunately much more.
“I just want to warn people because someone … might be scared because that company is scaring people by saying they’ll send them to collections,” she said.
“They might be scared and just pay $800 for a lock, it’s ridiculous.”
A scammer locksmith will have a hard time sending you to a legitimate collections agency. Collection agencies are not stupid, they will ask for supporting documentation which the scammer locksmiths will not have. Do not be fooled by the collection agency trick. If they do send you to collections, you can fight it by signing up to a low-cost service called LegalShield.
Company says invoices issued after payment
“Locksmith Calgary told CBC Calgary they don’t provide a billing service, even for larger companies, and require all payments be made before an invoice is issued.”
This should be an immediate red flag. No legitimate company issues an invoice after payment. We, for example always issue an itemized invoice before the customer pays, because that’s the correct way of doing business. If a customer has a question, we’re always there to answer that question.
It is ok to ask the locksmith who their credit card processor is for collecting payments. Credit card processors are the companies that collect your payment on behalf of the merchant and then provide the merchant with the funds. Names of some credit card processors are: Moneris, Square, Payfirma, Helcim, Stripe. If the locksmith doesn’t know or refuses to answer the question, refuse to pay. If they demand cash, refuse to pay.
“On their website, Locksmith Calgary lists their service call fee as $15 plus labour and hardware costs. A lock change is listed as $35 dollars and a lock re-key as $19.”
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For further information go to Mr. Locksmith
Let us talk about three of the must have tools you have to have for your locksmith kit. Every one locksmith must have these three tools: Megapro set, Hex set, and the Tamperproof kit.
The Megapro set
The Megapro set – this is the original and inside it it has the flatheads, the Robinsons, the Phillips and some torques. That is absolutely fantastic. It’s a go-to tool. It’s always there, it’s got the tools.
The next one on my kit – the Hex set.
The Hex set
The Hex set – It’s got all the basic or the most popular sizes in it. You have to have this screwdriver if you’re a locksmith because so many times you’ve misplaced your Allen keys. This is, a must have, fantastic tool. Especially we’re getting a lot of European made locks out there. you still need complete Allen key sets, but you can just grab this and 90% of the time, if not more, this will do the trick.
The other one is the Tamperproof kit.
The Tamperproof set
Tamperproof kit – This is the MegaPro. What it is, it’s for taking out the tamper-proof screws. It’s got all the most popular tamperproofs and torques an dthe flatheads with the holes inside. It is really, really cool.
So these are the three must have tools for everybody. You gotta have these in your locksmith kit. The original MegaPro, it’s got the most popular screws you’re going to run across every single day. The Hex, because you’re running across a lot of these in locks now, more and more all the time, this will probably, used 90% of the time, you’ll still need an Allen key set but it does the trick. And the Tamperproof. This will do for taking out those one way screws that are flatheads and it’s got the special bit for taking out the one way flatheads. It’s got the hex with the hole in it and the torques with the hole in it. Must have tools for the locksmith. For a beginner or a pro, this is a lifesaver. Have a good day. I hope you enjoyed watching this video.
Mr. Locksmith Vancouver
Vancouver Locksmith Main: (604) 239-0882
Downtown Vancouver Locksmith: (604) 262-1907
Downtown Vancouver Keystore: (604) 669-8008
Mr. Locksmith Automotive Locksmith: (604) 259-7617
For On-line and Hands-on Locksmith Training Dates and Cities near you for Beginners, Intermediate, Advanced Locksmithing as well as my Covert Methods of Entry, Non-destructive Methods of Entry and to purchase the Famous “Dumb Key Force Tool” that opens Smart Key locks in seconds go to Mr. Locksmith Training http://mrlocksmithtraining.com/
For Locksmith Franchise and Licensing Opportunities go to http://mrlocksmith.com/locksmithfranchise-opportunities
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Mr. Locksmith (604) 259-2953
For further information go to Mr. Locksmith
When you rent a car you usually give you two car keys/fobs crimped together on a metal wire. If you lose the keys you could be liable to replace not one but two keys and it could cost you $250-$700.
When I travel I usually have no tools, my Leather Man or Swiss Army knife (AirPort Security). A very simple method for breaking the crimped key chain wire is to just twist the two keys clockwise until either the cable or the crimp breaks.
Liked this video? Like, Share and Subscribe to Mr. Locksmith on YouTube.
For On-line and Hands-on Locksmith Training Dates and Cities near you for Beginners, Intermediate, Advanced Locksmithing as well as my Covert Methods of Entry, Non-destructive Methods of Entry and to purchase the Famous “Dumb Key Force Tool” that opens Smart Key locks in seconds go to Mr. Locksmith Training http://mrlocksmithtraining.com/
For Locksmith Franchise and Licensing Opportunities go to http://mrlocksmith.com/locksmithfranchise-opportunities/
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For further information go to http://mrlocksmith.com/
One of my go-to books for making keys to cars and motorcycles is “2015 Edition FAST FACTS — 1965-2015 Auto’s and Cycles” by Robert G Sieveking from Sieveking Products Company. This is a great book. This is the 2015 version. Every two years, a new updated version comes out.
This is my go-to fast book when I’m talking to customers when I’m going out to the job, it has most if not all of the domestic automotive, five-ton trucks, highway trucks, and it also has extensive motorcycles. This is a fantastic book, I highly recommend it.
The “Helps Section” gives pointers and many specific transponder programming procedures that have been tested and proven in actual use. GM VATS system information, key progressions and special notes on a number of autos give you the benefit of nearly 40 years of “on the road” experience. The motorcycle index is the largest listing of 2-wheeled vehicles anywhere.
is the premier Locksmiths reference to foreign & domestic auto and motorcycle keys. Fast Facts is an encyclopedic listing of cars and motorcycles found in the North American Market from 1965 to present. In its 11th Edition (2010-15) the fast Facts book is a “Must-Have” item for all locksmiths that make keys for autos and motorcycles. Much expanded for 2015. There are now over 200 motorcycle key plates and 638 auto key plates. Many new or changed transponder Facts. The Index lists 3761 autos and over 1400 motorcycles. presents a Clear, Concise and Fully Indexed key making guide for autos and motorcycles. The NEW expanded motorcycle model index lists over 1400 motorcycle models, plus an additional 15 pages of Chinese and Korean motorcycles, scooters and handicap electric motorized chairs. Everything is at your fingertips. Fast Facts is clearly illustrated and fully indexed. Fast Facts contains more information than any other publication of its kind.
I hoped you enjoyed watching this video. Subscribe to my YouTube channel.
If you need an extra Car, Truck or Motorcycle key call Randy at Mr. Locksmith Automotive (604) 259-7617 or email Randy@mrlocksmith.com
Mr. Locksmith Vancouver
Vancouver Locksmith Main: (604) 239-0882
Downtown Vancouver Locksmith: (604) 262-1907
Downtown Vancouver Keystore: (604) 669-8008
Mr. Locksmith Automotive: (604) 259-7617
For On-line and Hands-on Locksmith Training Dates and Cities near you by Terry Whin-Yates for Beginners, Intermediate, Advanced Locksmithing as well as my Covert Methods of Entry, Non-destructive Methods of Entry and to purchase the Famous “Dumb Key Force Tool” go to Mr. Locksmith Training
For Locksmith Franchise and Licensing Opportunities go to http://mrlocksmith.com/locksmithfranchise-opportunities/
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