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
5.11 Best Boots for Hot Weather
Let’s talk about something that’s a little different today. Boots.
As locksmiths, we put in a lot of hours and so we’re constantly on our feet. We’re on our feet in all sorts of weather. Today we’re going talk about my 5.11 boots that I wear all the time. The 5.11 Tactile six inch Coyote boot. They’re water resistant. I promise, these boots are water proof because I’ve been in water in them and I still got my feet dry. These boots are over five years old. And I use them daily. I have two pairs of these boots, as I alternate them. I had to put in some inserts. They just seems to make your feet feel better. And they are super-comfortable.
Two of my 5.11 Best Boots for Hot Weather
I was heading to the Philippines and that place is hot and humid. It’s absolutely terrible on the feet. I’m not a flip flop person, because I like my feet protected so I can’t walk around with flip flops. These 5.11 Tactile six inch Coyote boots are meant for hot, humid, even desert environments. I wore these for almost ten weeks straight. Every single day, in the jungle, on the water, heading to little islands (if you saw, I was in McArthur Park where general McArthur landed). I went up the hill (a bunch of hills where they had to attack bunkers, Japanese-held bunkers). This 5.11 Tactile six inch Coyote boot what I had on my feet. Although I didn’t see any snakes, there’s lots of snakes there that are bad. But it was so hot, and these were absolutely fantastic. I wore them and so I thought next time I go down to Florida, Texas, I’m gonna be wearing these. These are my go-to boots now in the summer time. They’ve got this antibacterial stuff, and all sorts of bits and pieces. You can read about it online. These were super comfortable. I definitely recommend this. I’m heading back to Asia and I’m wearing these. I bought a second pair. I always like to alternate my shoes, so I’ll have these again, because they’re FANTASTIC.
5.11 Best Boots for Hot Weather 2
However, I think the only downside, when I jumped off of a boat into the salt water, I got both wet, and it didn’t take that. It took probably about four hours in the sun to dry ’em out. And it kinda pissed me off a little bit. It means that it’s not meant to go in the water. You’re gonna get wet feet if you do that. Nevertheless, for 99% of what I did, these were absolutely fantastic. The water resistance might not be that good but, they’re so comfortable I don’t wanna add anything to them. So, if anybody has any good ideas on a boot that’s good for super hot, humid, almost desert-y jungle conditions, that has some water resistance, I’d be really interested in knowing because that’s the only downside of these boots. Other than that, 99.9% absolutely fantastic. Super super comfortable. I liked it so much that I bought a second pair. And again, this is different and nothing to do with locksmithing, but we gotta have comfortable feet. I hope you enjoyed watching this video. Subscribe to my channel. Also visit my website and you can see what online locksmith training I have for beginners, intermediate, and advanced. As well as my covert methods of entry and my non-destructive methods of entry.
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/
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For further information go to http://mrlocksmith.com/
Changing Toyota Remote Battery
This is a three-button Toyota remote. Very, very simple. Just lock, unlock and it’s got the panic button on the inside, which I didn’t see at first. This one’s for the older Toyotas. When you look at it, there’s no screws, there’s no screws anywhere on it. It’s pretty much sealed except for at the back, you can see. Not a dime would fit in that, so we use a little flat-head screwdrivers. I’m gonna use my Leatherman. But, you just can’t twist it out. You gotta slide it out because it’s got the little tabs over it. It has an extremely popular battery. The battery is a CR2032. Popular for a lot of different remotes, remote-head keys and proxes.
To put the battery in, you just gotta slide it in and that’s perfect. So we’ve done a very good weather stripping on this. So there we go. There is our Toyota remote.
Mr. Locksmith CR2032
Steps on how to change a Toyota remote battery:
- First, see if it had the ring on. If so, just take the ring off.
- Use your Leatherman or flathead screwdriver. There’s no screws. You can tell by looking at it.
- Just give it a little twist (make sure you don’t take much force).
- And make sure to do it without everything falling every which way.
There we go. That’s a nice one. Just make sure that you didn’t spill everything when you twist it. Again, we have to slide this battery out. Don’t twist and pull. We’ve got little metal tabs over the battery. Just slide it out, and it comes out nicely. The CR2032, is an extremely popular for Toyota remote battery. And, I mostly just use Energizers or Duracell batteries. I don’t like the dollar store stuff that much as I prefer the better quality. The dollar store doesn’t usually sell Duracells, or Energizers. I usually find Walmart has the cheapest, the least expensive parts. If you lose track of which way it goes because there’s no positive or negative, few tips – The little contacts always go to the opposite to the plus (or the writing). Just slide the battery back in. Slide it in nicely. And then just clip it together. On the video, it came apart a lot nicer the second time around. I hope you enjoyed watching this video. Subscribe to my channel.
Also, visit my website and you can see what online locksmith training I have for beginners, intermediate, and advanced, as well as my covert methods of entry and my non-destructive methods of entry.
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 and automotive locksmith 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/
]]>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/
]]>For further information go to http://mrlocksmith.com/
My daily Auto Key Programmer is the HotWire and the MVP Pro. I am on the unlimited token plan for both programmers. For the past 5+ years, I have been purchasing and testing “Offshore Auto Key Programmers.”
I have several Off Shore MVP clones. The price was so low, we keep on testing to see if any Off Shore Key Programmer could replace our existing programmers.
The MVP Clones are poorly made and no consistency or reliability with the software.
One Off Shore Key Programmer clone will program Ford and Chrysler but not Honda. Another identical clone will do Honda but not some Fords.
Another clone may work on a Nissan, but no one unit will do everything. It’s just been a zero.
So we kept on buying these, kept on testing them. Our dongles would break. The units would break. They’d fall apart. The software was inconsistent.
However, we found one clone that consistently worked well with Honda reflashes, specifically the 1998-2002 Honda Preludes.
In the early day we were just trying to save tokens, and really did we save any money? No, the clones were not good. There’s no consistency.
But again, if you don’t try, you don’t know. And there are some good units out there that the Chinese are coming out with now that are making some of the good stuff look bad.
Some of the new offshore auto key programmers they are using their own software, their own designs, and they are not clones or scammer units. Some of the Off Shore Key Programmers actually seem to be getting there.
Well, they’re coming out with nice updates on them, so they are becoming consistent.
The thing is with everything, you could have an Offshore made, really good programmer, and now they have counterfeit units of that that are total garbage.
So why are some of these Auto Key Programmers $300 and the other unit’s $50? The $50 unit is a total clone and it’s a total piece of garbage. How do you know? You don’t. That’s the big problem.
One way to find out is if you read the automotive forums.
Talk to other Locksmiths and view our videos.
The various plugins quality was all over the map. Some very good forums on Facebook, KeyPro website, ClearStar, etc.
So far, again, we’ve talked about this before, our go-to units are the MVP Pro and Hotwire.
Subscribe to my 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 Locksmith: (604) 259-7617
For On-line and Hands-on Locksmith Training Dates and Cities and automotive locksmith 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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For further information go to http://mrlocksmith.com/
I now have four (4) Veto Pro Pac Tool bags for my locksmith tools.
Hi, I’m Terry. As a locksmith, I’m always trying to figure out how to carry my tools, how to have them convenient, what to do. I’ve tried everything over the years. As you get older, you also, now we’re looking at cart options; how am I gonna drag my tools around; what am I going to do? One thing that’s outlasted everything I’ve ever bought, is the Veto Pro Pac. They have an entire line, and I love they have the little ones; they have the larger kits. I’ve been using this for years.
I have other kits I use, and I tried Pelican cases, Pelican tool cases, which I really like, but these Vetos; I’ve also tried the stuff you buy at the various hardware stores; they’re selling packs and totes and all sorts of stuff. What lasts the best, the Veto Po Pac, Pro Pac.
They last forever. I would still order extra one of these shoulder straps, just ’cause it’s built so well; it lasts forever. It never wears out, never breaks. These things last forever. This is a great, this one here, this is probably like three years old, and look at it; it is like brand new.
The only disadvantage is, they’re empty, they’re quite heavy, and this is exposed to the weather when I’m sort of running in and out of job sites. It’s heavy, heavy duty; it’s expensive, but they last forever. My other bags I’ve bought, you know, between 50 and 70 dollars. They last me a year, if that, and they get pretty worn out, pretty quick.
These things last forever, and this is my enclosed one. This is just sort of one in the back of my, not my service truck, I just threw some tools in it. It just holds everything, everything in one spot. You can throw all your stuff in, you can throw your cordless drill, your picks, everything. I’ve been lookin’ at their backpack right now, for our Key Store, to have our guys run out and just do some quick little locked out of filing cabinets, so I’m looking at the Veto Pro backpack.
I will check out Veto Pro Pack website and see if they have something on wheels because they make such a fantastic system. What I really need is something on wheels. I put these right now on a little cart I have for out of the service truck, onto, up the elevator, because we’re downtown so lots of elevators and stairs, and I don’t wanna go back to the truck to get something
I forgot, so I throw these on a cart. I love this for my installation kit. This is just something just quick, easy, in the back of my personal vehicle, so if I get a lockout and I’m on the road, or I have to help somebody, I have my own personal tools with me. Again, great stuff, expensive, but they last forever, and fantastic, really, really good; I highly recommend it.
I hope you enjoyed watching this video. Subscribe to my channel.
Mr. Locksmith Veto Pro Pack
Mr. Locksmith Veto Pro Pack
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Call Mr. Locksmith for further information http://www.mrlocksmith.com/
or email: info@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” that opens Smart Key locks in seconds go to Mr. Locksmith Training
For Locksmith Franchise and Licensing Opportunities go to http://mrlocksmith.com/locksmithfranchise-opportunities/
Mr. Locksmith Veto Pro Pac for Tools
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UPDATE 1: After only less than 10 keys cut in the shop the machine is not functioning! The Manufacturer is sending a new Motherboard and Tablet and a video on “How to Replace the Motherboard.”
UPDATE 2: 3 Weeks now and we have the new Motherboad and Tablet took 4 hrs to install. Still major problems and talking with the manufacturer in China. New Video soon showing the problems.
I will post an update when we get the replacement parts. Also, the Manufacturer stated the Engraving function will not be supported with the new Motherboard. So what do I do with the Engraving clamp?
SEC-E9 automatic key cutting machine 8 tablet PC with Automobile Key Clamp, Cutter, Decoder and Parts $2495.00 US
LIMITED TIME OFFER FREE SHIPPING TO CANADA AND USA
Single side Clamp for Domestic Keys $200.00 US
Dimple Key Clamp $350.00 US
Tubular / Ace Key Clamp $250.00 US
Tibble key Clamp $150.00 US
LDV(F019) Clamp $150.00 US
HU64 Clamp $95.00 US
TOY2 Clamp $95.00 US
VA2 Clamp $95.00 US
Engraver Clamp $350 US
* Note: SEC E9 Videos removed until we get the Code Machine Fixed
Mr. Locksmith SEC E9 Code Machine North Amercia Model
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
For Locksmith Franchise and Licensing Opportunities go to http://mrlocksmith.com/locksmithfranchise-opportunities/
]]>For further information or to purchase the Black Box go to http://mrlocksmithtraining.com/
Quick Start Dumb Safe Electronic Box to Open S Series Electronic Sentry Safe.
1 – Plug 4 wire connector into Dumb Safe Electronic Box
2 – Turn on Power
3 – Wait for Red Light to turn on
4 – Enter new 5 Digit Code and # key (“12345#)
5 – Wait for Green Light to turn on
6 – When you hear the solenoid click
7 – Turn Handle and open safe
Note: Read the full instructions
If safe fails to open, repeat 1-7 or drill the solenoid.
To purchase the Dumb Black Box go to http://mrlocksmithtraining.com/
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/
Terry Whin-Yates Opens Sentry Safe with Magnet
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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