ELGIN KEY & LOCK CO., INC.

Security specialist and locksmiths 

Serving the Elgin, Illinois Area Since 1933

 

News/Events

Up
Key Bumping
Locksmiths Regulated

Sales Dept:

Vince  Forbes

Mike  Knott

Service Dept: 

  Clark Houghtby

Telephone:

847-742-7006
FAX:

847-742-1315
Postal address:

201 N. Spring St., Elgin IL 60120

* * * * CHRISTMAS SAFE SALE ! ! ! !     All safes in stock at least 10% off,  most safes 15-20% off, selected safes new & used 25% off!!   --  mention this banner and get an additional 5% through December 23, 2000.

Security specialist and locksmiths 

Other links about the Postal investigation:
bullethttp://www.tampabay.com/news/publicsafety/crime/two-owners-of-clearwater-based-dependable-locks-arrested-on-mail-fraud/1049772
bullethttp://blumenthals.com/blog/2009/11/05/federal-bust-of-dependable-locksmith-in-florida-strikes-at-heart-of-locksmith-scams/
bullethttp://www.stltoday.com/blogzone/the-savvy-consumer-blog/government/2009/11/more-on-federal-crackdown-on-locksmith-network-operating-here/
bullethttp://connect2utah.com/content/fulltext/?cid=61202

Federal Trade Commission Fraudulent locksmith http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/pubs/consumer/alerts/alt032.shtm

KEY BUMPING - What is it? What can I do?

SCHLAGE KEYPAD ENTRY LOCKS & DEADBOLTS

 

DON'T BECOME A VICTIM!

Locked your keys in the car? Or house? When You call 411 or look at your local yellow pages for a locksmith you may become the victim of a scam!!  Out of state companies are advertising in local directory services as local locksmiths. 

Companies out of New York, New Jersey and Miami are fielding many of these calls. Most operators and contract employees of these companies are unlicensed. Complaints are stacking up all over the greater Chicago area of bait & switch pricing, unprofessional conduct and work product. The most widespread complaint is the use of multiple fraudulent listings to place the scam company at the top of the directory listings. 

Most of these listings start with "A 24 hour..." or "24/7 emergency...". These ads may show multiple addresses and phone numbers under the same listing. 

HOW DO I KNOW IF I HAVE CALLED A LEGITIMATE LOCKSMITH?

bulletAll legitimate locksmiths operating in Illinois have a license issued by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation. If a locksmith employee does not have a license he must have a valid Permanent employee registration card (PERC card or blue card) issued by IDFPR and a company ID issued by the Employer. The Employer must have a Locksmith agency license. See "Locksmiths regulated.
bulletMost all locksmiths have marked vehicles with license numbers visible on the vehicle.
bulletA legitimate locksmith will notify a customer if charges may considerably exceed the quoted price before any work is done.
bullet Don ’t be afraid to ask for license and ID. 
bullet The locksmith should ask you for identification. The law requires locksmiths to recorded and keep this information for at least two years any time you are given access to a location or car that you did not have a key or combination.

If you believe you are becoming the victim of a fraud CALL THE POLICE! If you are intimidated or threatened into paying for services or parts you did not authorize CALL THE POLICE and notify your bank or credit card company as soon as possible.

LINKS AND INFORMATION:

bulletIllinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation
bulletLocksmiths regulated

 

 

Send mail to Customer Service with questions or comments about this web site.
Copyright © 2001 - 2006 Elgin Key & Lock Co., Inc.
Last modified: January 27, 2010