There are many locksmiths in the Bay Area. Most of them are legit companies that are following the laws set by the State of California. Recently there has been an influx of Companies that are popping up online and in the yellow pages that don't follow the law. In the State of California each and every locksmith company and employee must be Licensed though The Bureau of Security & Investigative Services (BSIS). It is illegal for someone who claims to be a locksmith but does not have a license to do lock work other then make keys.
If you call a locksmith and they quote you a low ball price on the phone be sure and ask the person that comes out to see a copy of there locksmith license before they preform any work and make sure they give you the cost up front to avoid getting ripped off.
If the person that is there to preform work does not have a valid locksmith license then ask them to leave. You DO NOT have to pay them anything as they are breaking the law. You can also file a complaint with BSIS at bsis.ca.gov/industries_r….
If you are unsure if the license they show you is real you can also check online through BSIS to verify there license is valid. If there is no locksmith License on the Ad DO NOT CALL THEM!!!!!
There has also been a problem with fake lock companies stealing other locksmith companies ads online. Either they change the phone number or change the name and number but leave the address. If you call a company that has an ad that says they are at a location, check to make sure they are really there. There are a few companies that try and cheat the system by using P.O. Boxes and fake address to gain more advertising space. Check these address out because it could mean that there is a scam.
Be smart about who you have inside your home. Check out the companies before you call them. Read reviews and ask friends. Don't be scared to tell the person to leave. If you don't feel comfortable with them have them leave. You can always call the police if the person becomes rude and does not leave.
To read more about the Laws that locksmith have to follow set forth in the Business and Professions Code for Locksmiths visit bsis.ca.gov/about_us/law…
Remember cheaper is not always better.
