How to Check a Locksmith Before You Let One In
The $19 locksmith ad is bait for a bill of $200 or more. Get the legal business name, the license number and the full price on the phone. Then make the person at your door match all three.
Call (725) 280-5051- Business Name
- Ask for the legal name, then search it.
- License Number
- Ask for it and look it up. Ours is P64-00012.
- Total Price
- Get parts, labor and any night charge in one number.
- Way to Pay
- Be wary of cash only and of no receipt.
How the Bait and Switch Works
- An ad offers a service call for $15 or $19.
- The person who answers will not commit to a total price.
- Someone arrives and says your ordinary lock cannot be picked.
- Drilling becomes the only choice, a new lock gets sold to you, and the bill jumps.
- You are pushed to pay cash, so there is little to dispute later.
This works in a panic, because a person locked out at midnight rarely stops to compare. Knowing the script is most of the protection.
Six Checks You Can Run
| Warning Sign | What to Do |
|---|---|
| A teaser price with no total | Ask for the full price with parts, labor and any night charge. |
| A generic greeting on the phone | Ask for the legal business name, then search it. |
| No license number | Ask for it. A real company will give it to you right away. |
| Drilling right away | Ask why. Most house locks open without damage. |
| A price that changes at the door | Say no and call someone else. |
| Cash only and no receipt | Ask for a written receipt with the company name. |
One failed check is enough reason to hang up and call someone else, including us.
Check Us the Same Way
We hold City of Las Vegas locksmith license P64-00012. You can follow the steps to look it up. We will also ask you for ID and proof of ownership, which is how a good locksmith protects you.
Common Questions
Where can I report a locksmith who cheated me?
You can file a report with the FTC and with the Nevada Attorney General.
Should a locksmith ever drill my lock?
Sometimes, but it is a last choice. A locksmith should explain why before starting, and you should hear the price first.