Over 13,000 Locksmiths in Phoenix?
That's 1 Lockmsith per 100 Residents!
Locksmith fraud is running rampant in Phoenix. The following map shows how many "local locksmith" are returned when searching Google Maps or their Local Business Listings. That's over 13,000 locksmith shops in Phoenix! Now obviously, these businesses don't really exist and if you call one, you're likely going to be in for a nasty surprise.
First, you'll be routed to an out of state call center, which will route your call to a local driver, who will show up in an unmarked vehicle, who will tell you there's a big problem and it's going to cost hundreds of dollars more than they quoted, then they're going to demand cash, and they're going to leave your home in worse shape than when they started.
Does all this sound extreme? Well, it's happening all over America and thus far, Google hasn't been able to stop them.in fact, it seems to be getting worse. The phony locksmiths are now hijacking address for legitimate companies. Because of the way Google handles its map algorithms, the hijacked listings show rave reviews for the locksmith. However, the reviews are really for the business that was hijacked. Click here for more information on Locksmith Google Maps Fraud and ways to spot it so you can protect yourself. As another example, consider this reduced Mesa, AZ Google Map result for a local "Locksmith." All of those blue bubbles are locksmith listings for physical locations. At these locations I found other businesses, empty buildings, apartment complexes, and phony addresses, but I never found a locksmith. Many of these listings are the same 2-3 companies posting over and over again. Only those two red bubbles are real locksmith shops.
Unscrupulous Locksmiths post this way so that their listing shows up first, as a local company, in your internet search no matter what address you input.
Hiring a locksmith is an important decision. You are about to invite somebody into your life and trust them with your car, home, business, and depending on what you're hiring us for, maybe even your family. Would you trust a security company that has already lied to you?
The below image is just of few companies advertising phony locksmith locations in Mesa.
As a rule of thumb, stay away from any locksmith company advertising names like 24/7,24 hour, etc... Real locksmith companies use real names. Also, be wary of the following companies that have either listed fake address, fake reviews, or been reported as fraudulent
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