The moral of this story is when you call a locksmith do NOT be to quick to order the service. Ask many questions first such as will you damage my lock or will you pick it.
The scammers will always avoid giving you an exact price when in fact most openings by real locksmiths are quoted with an exact price.
Most locksmiths will quote you a complete price for the opening especially with automobiles.
These rings of counterfeit locksmiths are mostly ISRAEL companies using mostly Israel workers who are here on tourist visas and impersonating real locksmiths they are not trained with the exception of how to perform the scam on you.
These scammers and they are now in every big city will try and tell you the technition or locksmith has to give you the complete price when they are there.
That is how they suck you in. They bait and switch you on the price.
They will act like drilling a lock is hard and they have to charge you more because they say it cant be picked. They now will try and pick it just to say they tried. They will still usually drill it forcing you to purchase a new lock ( usually junk ) at a highly inflated price.
Dont be suckered in by a full page locksmith ad. Many of the full page ads are scammers using many names.
Be very cautious when using 411 to get a locksmith referral currently they have many of the listings monopolized with names such as 24 hour locksmith, emergency locksmith, ###000 locksmith, 000000 locksmith,etc Most of them even have a phony address listed that might be an empty lot or another business such as a Mcdonalds or a burger king etc.
Be especially careful when looking up a locksmith on the Internet in some citys the first 2000 listings all belong to a couple of scammer locksmith impersonators.
Be careful and ask questions. Ask for their location and some questions about them. If they are reluctant to answer do NOT use them.
If they say they are only a dispatcher and cannot give you any info be very careful.
I just want to let you know that you were scammed by a phony locksmith company,
Thesew companys are Israeli and are definately crooks.
They are not real locksmiths in most if not all cases. They are diliberately ripping off consumers with bait and switch tactics.
If you google Phony Locksmith, news and locksmith, you will find links to many storys around the nation that expose exactly what has happened to you.
These phony locksmiths have expanded across the country so much that they have litteraly taken over every city in the united states. They use extremely deceptive advertising in the yellow pages and on the internet, and 411 listings. They advertise services they do not perform, use 100,000 + phony listings with local addresses that are actually other businesses that are completely unaware that their address is being used.
These guys are nothing but low life scammers that are here from over seas ripping off american citizens.
I suggest you file a complaint with the attorney generals office in your state.
Please take the time to do this as these guys operate across state lines and the attorney general can possibly help.
Also a report to the BBB is good because they keep a record of complaints that are comming in from these companys. However the BBB really cannot take no action, but it helps document what is going on nation wide with these scammer companys. The BBB has also issued a nationwide consumer alert regarding these companys.
The FTC has also issued an alert.
Good Morning America did a story last month about these guys and National public Radio (NPR) did a story also.
Consumers beware The story above is happening to thousands of people everyday across the country.
If this has happened to you Make sure you file complaints with the BBB and the Attorney generals office.
If it hasnt happened to tou and you find your self in the same situation do not be afraid to tell them to shove off. If you stick to your guns all you are liable for is what you were quoted. Call the police if necessary.
Also these companys if you ask is this the total price will then tell you it is 15.00 and up depending on the car and what tool they have to use etc.
These guys have only one type of car opening tool where they bend open the top of the door frame and insert it in. They use the same tool every time.
Any REAL locksmith will give you a complete quote over the phone. There is a rare occasion where things might go higher such as you had a non professional trying to open and they pulled all of the linkage rods out inside your door cavity etc, but this is rare.
And one last thing these guys pull the same crap with house openings except they always drill your lock and destroy it and con you into buying a 5.00 junk lock for 100.00 and up along with their 100-200 or more fee to drill the lock.
They are everywher and in every major city in the USA. Beware of them and if you find your self being a victim do not hesitate to file complaints.
A real Locksmith
THis is the link to the Good morning America story about these same phony locksmiths described above.
http://abcnews.go.com/Video/player?ip=98.199.193.30&affil=&debug=&catId=&id=4072007
Copy and paste to your browser if you cannot click on it.
By the way if you notice under the post above there are some ads by google.
These are all phony locksmith companys operating nation wide.
Pretty Ironic.
This company also uses 1000s of different names all over the country. These made up names usually also include a phony address with it. This company is owned by Eric Cohen. They are from New Jersey and employ this scam all over the country.
These individuals they send out are usually not even a locksmith but just a scammer posing as one who is just out to rip you off in a hit and run.
Some people looking into this matter have found evidence that they hire these guys in Israel and bring them here to float around the country ripping people off.
I have heard stories about money laundering where these guys are sending in blank money orders to a po box which are in amounts just under 1000 dollars.
The money these scammers from Israel are taking in is in the Millions.
This is not the only company either there are more. All doing the same thing.
When the heat gets too high for them they just disapear back into the shadows and comeback using another name.
There are many people being ripped off everyday. Its time for the Federal government to take action against this foriegn invasion of a new breed of scam artists.
It is not like the perpetraitors are over in Nigeria where it is hard to get at them. They are right here in the usa where they can be picked up and arrested for various laws and violations.
This is the new scam of the decade and it goes beyond locksmithing.
It seems to being perpetraited by Israeli visitors.
Our country does alot for Israel and does not deserve to be overrun by scam artists harming the consumer or legal businesses they try to impersonate.
These types of companys also use the addresses and names of existing long time established locksmiths.
If you want more info you can go to a new sight called Legallocksmiths.com
This site is for consumers and 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
I have heard that this company is supposed to be dependable lock inc.
GODADDY also host many of the scam locksmith sites. They are believed to be Israeli organized crime outfits. Nation wide locksmith scam outfits.
These guys are just one of the scam locksmith outfits with a new name. I think they are dependable lock. you need to file a complaint with lisa madigans office. these slime buckets rip of people everyday and some just chalk it up to experiance. thats what these cons bank on.
As easily as you filed a complaint here you can do it on line also. this has been going on for 6 years. you think people would wise up somewhat but they are not making them any smarter.
File a complaint with lisa madigans offfice then come back and whine.
Beware of the 29.00 locksmith service. bait and switch
By the way they wont rekey the lock because they dont know how to. there not even a locksmith. do you know the police can arrest them for not having a illinois locksmith license.
They run around and just repalce locks. I bet they charged you a fortune for a 5.00 flea market lock. boy dont you feel stupid dont ya. you probably paid about a hundred didnt you. I bet they told you it was a high security lock or something like that.
I used to feel sorry for you victims but now I just laugh, and wonder what is in the water and how can people be just like a bunch of cowardish sheep.
Baaaa bbaaaa bbbbaaaaaaaa. 29.00 locksmith service you really fell for that didnt you.
All joking aside file a complaint with the ags office.
It is What I call an organized crime outfit from ISRAEL wake up. File a complaint with your AGS office. The feds just arrested one of these types of phony locksmith companys in florida.
They are not locksmiths if you paid them that kind of money for what you describe as 5 minutes. you are the stupid one. I think they should open a board called stupid people.com Persons that open their wallets to con artists. You know what the funnier part of it is The guy who took all your money is not even a locksmith just a scammer and he probably was not even a US citizen.
What are you going to do about it Baaaaa Baaaaaaaaaa Baaaaaaaaaaaa
Off with their heads as the quenn would say
Did you file a complaint with Lisa Madigans office Or did you just like taking it up the ###. Why would you pay a person pretending to be a locksmith that kind of money. You need to file a complaint dont be a sheep. Do it now. You were scammed and the guy that was there could have been arrested for just calling himself a locksmith. They have no license. By the way can you send me a 500.00 cash loan in the mail. I promise Ill pay it back next week.
Hey Big Dummy did you file a complaint with your Attorney generals office. Or did you like being screwed. They are not even locksmiths just scammes. You fell for the biggest bait and switch in the book.
Dumb people get what they deserve.
Can I ask a question Why would you even pay them that kind of money. Why wouldnt you call the police when they jacked their price. It is fraud.
BIG DUMMYS, these are not locksmiths. You have been sucked into a scam that is operating across the country. DID YOU HEAR ME they are not locksmiths. ICall your attorney generals office and file complaints calling the company is a waste of your time. Why would you even pay this kind of money. If the clerk at MCDonals asked you for 100.00 for a big mac youd probably pay it wouldnt you.
Go to [censored].com and whine or file a compalint with your attorney generals office
You said it He was stupified. What is amazing is how stupid one can be giving a scammer exactly what they ask for. File a complaint with the Attorney General.
By the way there is no JUAN there It is a code name so the dispatchers know to just blow you right off.
Stupified HA HA hA HA
This company is a scam outfit! Call the police and also file a complaint with Lisa madigans office, The Atttorney General. I am quite sure this guy is most likely not to be licensed. The company is not. You can check this out on the license look up section of the Illinois dept of financial and professional regulation. This is what I believe to be an Israeli organized crime ring. Google "David Peer arrest" and dependable locks. The police can arrest this individual for just calling himself a locksmith. It is a class c Misdemeanor and a felony for the second arrest. This company Probably rips off 1000s of consumers each and every day across the nation. Please file a complaint with The attorney general and demand action.
As I have said many times before These are not real Locksmith companys in my opinion of course. I believe them to be part of an Israeli Organized crime ring. They have been ripping of consumers for years. I dont know what the problem is as far as Law enforcement closing them down. But it goes on. They change names. They change their frontmen who act as owners but the scam remains constant.
I would say you are lucky they did not show up. You saved some money. However I do agree about them wasting your time. They will book all jobs regardless if they actually take them or not.
29.00 locksmith service really cathes the eye. But it is everything but 29.00 locksmith service.
MONTYCRN IS A PHONY POSTER. He is from India and is a highered POSTER. This company has hired them to put thousands of phony posts trying to make this scam company look good. It is a nationwide Israeli organized crime ring That is Impersonating Locksmiths all over the country. Yhey have untold thousands of these types of posts all over especially YAHOO. If you click on the posters name you can see all of the other locksmiths they post phony good ratings for. Shame on the US government for allowing these foriegn organized crime syndicates to prosper.
Question? Why would a consumer who is happy about run local locksmith go to a website that solicits complaints about bad businesses and post a positive comment. I would think they would post these comments in other places. The fact that all these positive comments are posted here is very suspicious. And if you pay attention you can see this. This company is a scam outfit in my opinion. The positive cooments posted her in my opinion are all fraudulant and lies. They are posted by agents of this organized crime ring.
You were ripped of by a organized crime ring that is Impersonating locksmiths. You need to complain higher than here contact your State attorneys office and file. This is not just a little company but a nationwide Organized crime ring. Laura the pretend locksmith is just a pawn that was highly trained to rip you off. File complaints everywhere you can, even th US Attorneys office.
RUN LOCAL IS NOT A REAL LOCKSMITH
THE COMPLAINTS ARE REAL
THE BS STORIES COMPLEMENTING THEM ARE PHONY lOOK AT THE POSTERS WHO POST THEM.
WILL SHOW UP AND WILL JACK THE PRICE. CALL THEM AND ASK WHAT IS THE HIGHEST POSSIBLE PRICE. THEY WONT TELL YOU.
ISRAELI NATIONALS SCAMMING US CITIZENS.
COMPLAINT BOARD
WHEN DID YOU EVER SEE A REASONABLE CONSUMER GO TO A COMPLAINT BOARD TO COMPLIMENT A BUSINESS JUST ONE WOULD BE AMAZING BUT ALL OF THESE BS!
THESE ARE AN ATTEMPT TO CONFUSE AND KEEP YOU FROM READING ALL OFF THE STORIES THAT ARE REAL CONSUMER COMPLAINTS.
THEY CAN NOT ERASE THEM TO KEEP YOU FROM SEEING THEM, SO THEY CROWD THE COMPLAINTS OUT WITH THEIR PHONY TESTIMONIALS.
I BELIEVE THIS COMPANY TO BE THE SAME AS DEPENDABLE LOCK INC. THEY WERE FORMALLY CALLED PRICELINE, SUPERB SOLUTIONS, SOS ETC.
A FEW OF THEIR FRONT MEN WERE JUST INDICTED. READ INDICTMENT PRESS RELEASE BELOW . THIS IS A NATIONAL SELF PROCLAIMED LOCKSMITH THAT EMPLOYS FROM EVERYTHING I HAVE SEEN FOREIGN EMPLOYEES IN VIOLATION OF THE FEDERAL LAW. THESE ARE VACATIONERS FROM ISRAEL COMING HERE TO WIN THE LOTTO BY RIPPING OFF AMERICAN CONSUMERS. IF YOU HAVE USED THEM YOU KNOW YOU WERE TAKEN.
A REAL LOCKSMITH WILL QUOTE YOU A TOTAL PRICE BEFORE THEY COME OUT OVER THE PHONE.
THIS COMPANY OPERATES WITH DECEPTION. THEY BAIT YOU IN WITH THEIR 15.00 SERVICE CHARGE. THEY THEN GIVE YOU A 35-00 AND UP PRICE AND THE TECHNION WILL DETERMINE THE CHARGE WHEN THEY GET THERE.
A CAR OPENING THE WAY THEY OPEN THEM IS THE SAME. THEY DRIVE TO YOU THEN BEND YOUR DOOR OPEN WITH A PRYING DEVICE AND A AIR WEDGE, REACH IN WITH A LONG REACH TOOL AND OPEN YOUR DOOR. WAIT TILL THE WATER LEAKS IN THRU YOUR NOW BENT DOOR FRAME ON SOME VEHICLES. THEY ARE LONG GONE AND YOU ARE SCREWED AND OUT ALOT OF HARD EARNED MONEY.
UNITED STATES ATTORNEY'S OFFICE
EASTERN DISTRICT OF MISSOURI
RICHARD G. CALLAHAN
United States Attorney
NEWS RELEASE
For further information call [protected]
February 18, 2011
For Immediate Release
OWNERS OF FLORIDA LOCKSMITH SERVICE INDICTED IN SCAM TO OVERCHARGE FOR LOCKSMITH SERVICES
St. Louis, MO: The United States Attorney’s Office announced today that the owners of a Florida based locksmith service were charged in a superseding indictment on multiple federal charges involving a scam to overcharge customers for locksmith services, as well as employing and harboring illegal aliens.
According to the superseding indictment, Dependable Locks, Inc., headquartered in Clearwater, FL, managed a national network of locksmith technicians, operating from major population centers across the United States, including St. Louis. It also maintained a full-time staff of telephone operators and dispatchers, who were on duty 24 hours per day in Clearwater. The dispatchers received phone calls electronically forwarded from hundreds to thousands of telephone numbers listed nationwide for emergency locksmith services, all of which forwarded consumer calls to the call center in Florida. The dispatchers received the calls and the business dispatched locksmith technicians from the area of the call to respond. Many of the locksmith technicians working for Dependable Locks were aliens who were unlawfully present in the United States and were not authorized to work as locksmith technicians.
The indictment alleges that the locksmith company engaged in deceptive marketing by purchasing directory listings and advertisements in cities across the United States that identified the business to the public as a set of local locksmith companies. The company’s listings used multiple business names, local phone numbers and fake local addresses that had no affiliation with the company. Phone calls to the listed phone numbers were automatically routed to the company’s call center in Clearwater, Florida. In addition, telephone operators for Dependable Locks were instructed by managers to mislead customers to believe that they would be charged around $54 for a car lockout, while the responding technician was instructed by managers to charge up to $179 for a lockout. Technicians used techniques such as accusing the consumer who objected to the overcharge of "theft of services, " threatening to call the police, withholding the customer's keys or driver's license to compel payment or following the customer to an ATM machine to ensure payment.
The locksmith technicians allegedly were allowed to split the profits of the fraudulently procured locksmith services with the company and were required to remit the company's share of the proceeds by regularly purchasing and shipping cash, checks and money orders to the Dependable Locks location in Clearwater, FL.
"After more than a year of following numerous leads with ICE and the Missouri Attorney General's Office, we are pleased to see this case continue to progress, " said Postal Inspector J.R. Ball of the St. Louis Field Office. He added, "The U.S. Postal Inspection Service is vigilant in investigating allegations where the mail or postal products are used to conceal or further a crime."
DAVID PEER, Clearwater, FL; and ADAM OLIVKOVICH, address unknown, were indicted by a federal grand jury on one felony count of conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud, five felony counts of mail fraud, one felony count of conspiracy to harbor illegal aliens for private financial gain and one felony count of engaging in a pattern of hiring unauthorized aliens. MOSHE AHARONI, Clearwater, FL, was indicted on one felony count of conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud and one felony count of conspiracy to harbor illegal aliens for private financial gain.
Conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison and/or a fine up to $250, 000. Mail fraud carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and/or a fine up to $250, 000. Conspiracy to harbor unlawful aliens for private financial gain carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and/or a fine up to $250, 000. Engaging in a pattern of hiring unauthorized aliens carries a maximum penalty of six months in prison and/or a fine of $3, 000 per alien. In determining the actual sentences, a Judge is required to consider the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, which provide recommended sentencing ranges.
This case was investigated by the United States Postal Inspection Service, the Missouri Attorney General’s Office and the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Office of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI). Assistant United States Attorneys John Sauer and John Ware are handling the case for the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
As is always the case, charges set forth in an indictment are merely accusations and do not constitute proof of guilt. Every defendant is presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty.
RUN LOCAL POSTERS OF ALL THESE PHONY COMPLIMENTARY POSTS READ THE ABOVE AND GET YOUR LAWYERS PAID.
WIRE FRAUD MIGHT BE IN YOUR FUTURE
In adition to the bbb complaint file a complaint with your states attorney general. Any legitimate locksmith that is worth his salt can pretty much give you an exact price on the telephone. These guys have a call center in the state of michigan just outside of detroit. It seems to be an international organized crime ring from Israel. They are all over parts of the world and are operating in just about every average city in the U.S.
A real locksmith.
You can Google ABC News And the word locksmith and watch a Good Morning America video about this scam. You can also google Locksmith scams, ripoffs, overcharge etc and see stories all around the nation about Identical stories. They have even been posting comments here that praise themselves in an attempt to hide the complaints
Please file complaint with state attorney general and even contact your local news and police as they are doing this to a thousand people a day around the countryy, and many dont take the time to file a complaint which hides the severity of what they are doing.
