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CONSUMER ALERT: Protect Yourself from Locksmith Fraud

March 15, 2012

Protect Yourself from Locksmith Fraud (PDF)

MADISON — Wisconsin’s Department of Justice (DOJ) is warning Wisconsin residents about deceptive advertising practices from locksmith companies.

Phony locksmith ads are popping up statewide, with many placed by single companies using multiple names. These companies are often located outside of Wisconsin, but list phony local addresses and phone numbers to entice consumers who prefer to work with businesses in their area.

Online reviews are not trustworthy either, as the companies post fake consumer reviews praising their business and blasting their competitors.

Because these companies are often out of state, they enlist a contract locksmith to handle the job, leaving the consumer with no idea of the identity of the company or locksmith performing the service. If the work is shoddy or the customer is overcharged, the customer will not know who did the work. Consumers can also be grossly overcharged by scammers seeking to take advantage of their vulnerable situations.

Meanwhile, legitimate locksmiths have seen their own listings drowned in a sea of misleading locksmith ads, leading to a loss of business.

Consumers should be cautious in responding to locksmith ads. To avoid being deceived by scam locksmith businesses:

make sure there is a valid street address for the business – a listing with no address (or a false address) can be a red flag
if you call the number listed in an ad, ask for the name and location of the company, and the location of the person with whom you are speaking
ask for the cost of the service in advance
beware of Internet reviews that appear suspiciously positive (for example, a batch of glowing reviews posted in a short period of time)
if a locksmith arrives in a vehicle that is not marked with the business name, ask the locksmith for identification and make sure you know the name of the entity with whom you are dealing.

If you believe you have been victimized by a scam locksmith operation, you can file a complaint with the Bureau of Consumer Protection. Download a complaint form or file a complaint online at http://datcp.wi.gov. You can also call the Consumer Protection Hotline at 1-800-422-7128.

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Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection

DATCP provides services to educate, inform, and protect Wisconsin consumers.

DATCP licenses individuals, business and locations to protect human and animal health, the environment, and consumers.

DATCP regulates and helps develop agribusinesses including farms, and also regulates some other businesses to protect consumers.

Wisconsin farms produce milk, livestock, grain, vegetables, poultry and many other agricultural products.

DATCP protects food safety in processing, sales and storage, and promotes Wisconsin foods.

DATCP houses the State Veterinarian’s office, with authority for disease surveillance and control.

DATCP provides services to educate, regulate and protect our land and water resources.

DATCP works to protect plants and crops from harmful insects and disease.

DATCP works to assure safe food, healthy people, animals, plants and environment, vibrant agriculture and fair business practices.

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