Picture this: You're locked out of your car or home — you panic and call the first locksmith number you can find. It turns out, this could be a bad idea!
Tiffany Czarapata of Pop-A-Lock says it could be a rogue locksmith and you wouldn't know that until they arrive.
We've had a number of people let me know they were charged hundreds to get into their car or home.
Czarapata says most of the time, those charges should be much, much less.
So, beware of companies that advertise those too low, too good to be true prices.
Too many times the locksmith will tell you they had to charge more because the job was not as described or more than they thought.
Czarapata says that usually isn't true and in most cases being let into a locked car should cost less than $100.
Make sure the companies' cars are marked and the locksmith is wearing something with the name of the business hired. Your best bet is to find a reliable locksmith before you run into an issue.
Check reputations online, call and ask about costs, and make sure they are members of the Associated Locksmiths of America. They must adhere to a code of ethics and it's added protection.
We have much more information from a live demonstration on the Let Joe Know Facebook page.
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