$15 Locksmith Scam Exposed

In our area there is a very low risk or no real threat of being scammed by a local locksmith so long as you deal with a local company. There are 4-5 good local locksmiths here in Roanoke. The threat and possibility comes when you use your phone to search for a locksmith when you are locked out of your car, and you see the common $15.00 locksmith advertisement. This is a SCAM. There are NO locksmiths anywhere that will drive to your location and unlock your car for you for the low rate of $15.00. These ads state $15.00 service fee.

Here is what happens in some cases: 

1. You call the $15 locksmith scam phone number (Usually Toll Free)
2. They get your information, location, and credit card payment for the $15.00 locksmith.
3. They call a local locksmith and send them to unlock your car – The only problem is when the locksmith arrives he tells you the fee to unlock the car is $80.00, even though you already paid the $15.00 scam fee to the place you called. The problem you ran in to is you basically just paid $15 for a company out of state to call a locksmith to your location and that is all they DO. You have to pay the locksmith either way. The company collects ONLY a SERVICE CALL FEE of $15.00 and if you want  the car opened you have to pay the independent locksmith that showed up or remain locked out.

There is not a local company in our area that offers $15 car lock-out services. Prices range from $50-$80 depending on your location (Distance), Time of day, Day of week, and weather!