Imagine this: You are locked out of your house. You are stressed, maybe it’s raining, and you just want to get inside. You search on Google and see an ad: “Locksmith Service – Only $15!”
You think, “Wow, that’s cheap!” and you call them. But when the guy arrives in an unmarked car, he drills your lock in two minutes and suddenly demands $300 in cash.
Sounds like a nightmare? Unfortunately, this happens every day in New York. At Locksmith Plus, we hate seeing our neighbors get ripped off. So, we decided to share the insider secrets on how to spot a fake locksmith before they even touch your door.
1. The "Too Good to Be True" Price
Let’s be real for a second. Driving a service vehicle, paying for gas, insurance, and professional tools costs money. If someone tells you on the phone that the service call is only $15 or $29 – it is a trap.
This is a classic “Bait and Switch.” They lure you in with a low price, and once they are at your door, they pile on hidden fees for “service,” “labor,” “security level,” and “hardware.” Real Locksmiths give you a fair, realistic estimate upfront.
2. The "Drill Master"
This is the biggest red flag. If a locksmith arrives, looks at your lock for three seconds, and immediately grabs a power drill – stop them.
Drilling a lock destroys it. It means you now have to buy a whole new lock (from them, of course, at triple the price). Professional locksmiths, like our team at Locksmith Plus, are trained to pick locks. We use special tools to open the door without damaging the hardware. Drilling is always the absolute last resort, not the first option.
The "Ghost" Business
Many of these scammers are actually call centers overseas. They don’t have a real shop or local technicians. They just sell your “lead” to a random handyman. How to check:
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Look for a branded vehicle.
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Ask for an ID.
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Check if they have a local address in Queens or Long Island (Nassau/Suffolk).
💡 Locksmith Plus Pro Tip: The One Question to Ask
When you call a locksmith, ask this exact question: “What is the total maximum price I will pay if you open the door?”
If they start stuttering, saying “it depends,” or “we need to see the lock first” – hang up. A pro knows roughly what standard locks look like and can give you a solid range.
4. Cash Only? No Thanks.
Scammers love cash because it is untraceable.
If they refuse to take a credit card or demand cash upfront before doing the job, that is a huge warning sign.
Legitimate businesses accept cards and provide a proper receipt.
Why Trust Locksmith Plus?
We are not just a website; we are your neighbors. We serve Queens and Long Island (Nassau & Suffolk Counties) with pride.
We are fully licensed, we drive branded vehicles, and we will never drill your lock unless it is absolutely necessary.
Don’t wait until you are locked out to find a locksmith.
Save our number in your phone now under “Locksmith Plus”. That way, if you ever get stuck, you won’t have to panic-search for strangers on Google. You will have a trusted pro just one click away.