Ask the Security Expert

Funniest cheap customer story

2011-09-23T10:41:00.000-07:00

This week hit a new level for cheap!
A customer did not want to pay a service call to have us come out re-key his locks so we asked if he was handy and could take off the locks and bring them into our store.

One hour later we see 2 men carrying in the whole door and banging it against and chipping our newly painted walls in a narrow hallway. They said it was easier to take the door off the hinges than to remove the lock.
It cost them $20.00 to re-key the lock and $200.00 to have our wall repaired.

We all laughed and they took care of the damage with a laugh and a lesson learned.

Oh my Lord, someone brought in a bump key to dup

2011-08-23T14:33:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was another first: Someone came into our shop with a 'bump key' and actually asked us to duplicate it. She said ":this a bump key, will you duplicate it?"
When we told her no she said she was a locksmith, like so what!

For my peace of mind I have to believe this could have been a sting because if not we have a potential crime waiting to happen.

I thought we should have gotten her drivers license and name but I was outvoted by my staff who opted for safety.

What would you have done?

RIP OFF ALERT-FLAM'S IS NEW VICTIM OF SCAM

2011-08-07T10:16:00.000-07:00

PLEASE BE AWARE! ANOTHER LOCKSMITH HAS HACKED INTO GOOGLE MAPS AND CHANGED FLAM'S TELEPHONE NUMBER TO HIS. IF YOU SEE A NUMBER STARTING WITH 232---IT IS NOT FLAM'S.
OUR NUMBER IS 818-789-5024.
AS OF 8-6-2011 GOOGLE HAS NOT RESPONDED TO OUR EFFORTS TO REPORT IT OR CHANGE IT.

DO NOT GET TELEPHONE NUMBERS FROM THE GOOGLE MAP ICON.

ANOTHER EXAMPLE OF SCAMMERS-STEALING OUR BUSINESS AND LORD KNOWS ABOUT OUR REPUTATION.

THANKS,
JACK AND VIKKI FLAM

another scam victim

2010-06-11T14:18:00.000-07:00

Flam's just re-keyed the locks for a wonderful person who called because she just felt scammed by another Valley locksmith (Another one starting with an A).

She called them for a simple re-key on a Weslock handle set and the locksmith told her she needed a new lock, that what she had was no longer made and proceeded to install a new deadbolt and knob in its place.

She realized shortly thereafter that they probably took advantage of her and her friend told her to call Flam's. We told her to call and get the lock back and they returned and reinstalled it and then we went and rekeyed it. The lock was not broken, it did not need replacing and they charged her almost $300.00 of which they are only refunding $97.00.

She also said the locksmith they sent out called her back yelling and calling her names and left her so scared that she wouldn't call the police or push for a larger refund.

Like she said, this was a very expensive and harrowing lesson.

Release of 6,500 felons and your security

2010-02-07T14:25:00.000-08:00

Jack and I hope you are up to date on the recent decision of our Governor to release convicted felons onto the streets of our city.
Not only are they being released but they will not be on parole.

We at Flam's are genuily concerned, along with local law enforcement, about your security as the rate of recidivism in California is higher than any other state. This is because we spend the least on rehab in our prisons.
Add over 20% unemployment to this scenerio and it is clear our concerns are real.

With that said we urge our clients, more than ever, to upgrade to High Security Locks for your business, homes and offices and to also stay alert outside of these enviornments.

We would also like your feedback on the idea of Flam's offering a community seminar on the many ways you can secure your doors. Please send an email to www.flamskey@aol.com to express your vote and your questions.

Stay safe,
Jack and Vikki

New client but scary lesson

2010-01-10T09:57:00.000-08:00

They were locked out of their house and called AM:PM locksmith, a sponsored business on the first page of a google search.
Symptoms ? An inexpensive Kwikset knob lock, cylinder was spinning.

Their Locksmith arrived, didn't try to pick lock, charged almost $225.00 for a $25.00 lock, another $239.00 to re-key it to existing top lock, $69.00 for service call and close to another 106.00 for something else we couldn't understand on invoice.
This job was also done during regular business hours.
The locksmith also arrived in an unmarked vehicle, the invoice had no business name on it and he asked that the check be made out to him, not the company the customer called.

Thank Goodness this customers intuition told him to stop payment on his check and call around the next day to see if he was ripped off AND to call another locksmith to change his locks because he was now being harassed for stopped check.

Result?
#1- I called AM:PM and told them they were scam artists and they coughed up an excuse that this locksmith was new and they would contact him. I told them if this scammer called this gentleman one more time they would see themselves in the news.

#2- I explained that original symptoms sounded like a simple broken $5.00 tail piece which would have cost approx $95.00 to repair and worst case scenario, had a new lock been needed it would have cost approx $140.00 including service call, lock, re-key and installation.

We ended up installing a Medeco High security lock when he understood that his existing locks would be easy to pick and we also eliminated the need and cost of re-keying his 2 old locks.

We now have a trusting customer who has 'real' security and can sleep at night. But remember he is one of the lucky ones who could stop a check, most scammers require cash.

By the way, we are still not done reporting companies like this

Vikki Flam

OUR own home had first break in attempt this week

2009-12-07T17:48:00.001-08:00

WOW, we just experienced our first break in attempt after 40 years of marriage.

It happened on Thanksgiving weekend at 3:30 AM Sunday morning while we were asleep. Yes, we were home and it was scary as hell!

We always set our alarm when we go to sleep but we forgot that night. When we opened the door in the morning to get the newspaper we saw they ripped off the handle, turned off the bulb on the front porch door, tried to pry the door, pick the lock, etc.
I swear, this is not an advertisement for Medeco or any other high security lock but we know that is what prevented a successful break in.
We lived what we preach to our clients: our alarm is our SECOND line of defense, our physical security the first line. The goal is to keep the bad guys out, not defend our life or property once they are in.

Educating you is one thing, experiencing it confirms our passion for Medeco triple fold!

Real Security vs, "Feel good Security" False assumptions

2009-10-28T06:02:00.000-07:00

This topic covers a wide range of information , too much for one blog, so it will be covered in small bites in several blogs.

Because false assumptions result in the most break-ins this our first topic.

When discussing the importance of good physical security, i.e. strong locks, high security locks, etc., we often hear the following false assumptions:

1. We have an alarm
2. We have a large dog
3. We have a gun
4. We have neighborhood watch
5. I live on the upper stories of my building
6. We have a guard gated community

These are just a few and you may have answers to add to these. These are examples of "feel good" security, not "real" security.

The goal of security is the keep the bad guys from getting in from the outset not dealing with them once they are already in, which the first three assumptions do not accomplish. Nor do they keep you safe if you are at home!
Achieving good security requires different layers of defense,no different than the military that fights a war. In simple terms, your first line of defense is your Physical security, your second line of defense is your alarm, dog, etc.
We believe in the attributes of an alarm , we have them ourselves, we just don't want it to go off because we made it easy for the bad guys to get in and set it off.

Upcoming blogs will cover:

Strategies for good physical security
What is the difference between a common lock and a High security lock?
Simple and inexpensive ways to beef up your security
Securing your door, not just a lock
Why the locks at big box stores are not what you think, even when you see the same model number.
Pros and Cons of Master keying common locks
Are all keys created equal? Why your duplicates don't work.
A working key does not mean it is a "good" key, why?
Key cutters are not the same as locksmith

REMEMBER THIS IS YOUR FORUM FOR QUESTIONS AND YOUR TOPICS ARE WELCOME!

STAY SAFE,

JACK & VIKKI FLAM

Ethics can be lonely road

2009-10-06T06:36:00.000-07:00

Yesterday we got a call from a consumer telling us they bought a home and needed 4 new locks. When we asked him why he thought he needed new ones he said it was because he didn't want the old owners keys to work.

We explained that unless he wanted to upgrade to high security locks he only needed to re-key the old locks, not replace them.

He was elated on two counts:

1. Flam's was the only company that told him the truth, the first 2 companies he

called quoted him on new locks and were ready to do the job

2. The cost of re-keying was a fraction of the cost of new locks

Our ethics were about to pay off until he asked how much our service call was and when we told him $75.00 he said we were too expensive compared to the first 2 companies he called.

We just saved him from being ripped off for probably hundreds of dollars by unethical locksmiths and didn't get the work. Now he was taking our knowledge and shopping for the cheapest re-keys.

Please consider the bottom line on your bill, not the 'service call' line.

There will always be someone with a cheaper service call but fewer with integrity.

These are the times when we shake our heads and wonder what the consumer will be left with if companies like Flam's are not around to protect them in the future.

These are also the times when we remember that we can sleep at night, along with the majority of our clients.

Locksmith Credentials- Security tip

2009-09-15T20:52:00.000-07:00

Your first step in protecting yourself is to know what credentials are required and ask the locksmith to fax or email copies.
A properly licensed locksmith should be happy you are asking since the majority of companies are not compliant. We also know from experience that many locksmiths will also lie and tell you they are licensed

Did you know that in California a State Contractors license is required for locksmith's to do business over $400.00?

Ask for their license number and than check the number with the California Contractors Board to be sure it is current and in their name.
If they do not have a State Contractors license you can assume they are either working illegally or they do not have many residential or commercial clients that require larger jobs with more experience and knowledge.

Also required of all locksmiths is the Consumer affairs license issued by the Dept. of Investigative services. Any locksmith who comes to your business or home should be asked to show it to you.If they can't then send them away!

All of the above licenses are on Flam's web site on the credential page.

Remember, being properly licensed is not a guarantee of quality work or ethics but it is the first step in eliminating who you choose.

Tip #1:Locksmith Scams

2009-09-13T18:24:00.000-07:00

Complaints about locksmiths have increased by 77% since 2007 and the articles about scams are abundant to back it up.

Who are you handing your keys to and who are you letting hand you your new keys?

When you call a locksmith is your first question "how much do you charge?" OR "who are you?"

It's your life and property-do you know what credentials are required? Do you take their word for it or ask them to fax you a copy? Are they a mobile service, here today and gone tomorrow?
Do you think all locksmiths are equal?

Think about it, you wouldn't be calling in the first place if you didn't have a security concern, right? Then it makes sense that your first step in protection is the "who" not the "how much"!