Update on ALOA’s efforts to combat "Scammers"

There are a number of blogs, postings and general online chatter lately about the continued threat of “phony locksmiths”otherwise known as “scammers” degrading our industry. Many locksmiths have come up with ways to combat the problem.

ALOA has also taken steps to help raise the issue before the public and proper authorities.

From the beginning, ALOA has recognized that the first short-term strategy for us is to make locksmiths and the public aware of the issue. Only through education can we teach people to be wary of the 1000 listings in the phonebook when the population of their city is only 400! Websites such as ALOA’s www.findalocksmith.com are a great way for the consumer to get a legitimate security professional. Three years ago we set up a website for locksmiths http://www.aloa.org/legislation/pressroom.php and consumers http://www.aloa.org/AGMap/AG.htm to explain the problem and give them the resources to notify the proper authorities.

It must be working because ALOA gets at least two or three calls or emails a week from a consumer who has been ripped off and saw the information on our website. Of course it’s unfortunate they see this information after the fact! That is why ALOA Legislative Manager, Tim McMullen, JD, CAE has been working closely with the national Better Business Bureau to get out press releases on the subject. We are also in the process of producing a PSA and brochure for states to use.

The second short-term strategy is to work with the law enforcement agencies. ALOA has neither the time nor the financial resources to go after the phony locksmiths ourselves. The best person at the state level is the Attorney General or the licensing agency for states with locksmith licensing. Tim makes a presentation twice a year to the National Association of Attorneys General (NAAG) Consumer Protection Seminar and present the problem of phony locksmiths and solutions to solve that problem. He has done this five times and about ready to speak to them again in May. We have had success in Colorado where the AG’s office has opened up an investigation. ALOA has also met with the Federal Trade Commission, the FBI and the Department of Homeland Security.

We realize that advertising and listings has been the vehicle for these companies, which is why we’ve been working with the various directories. An ALOA member is working with Google, Tim is working with Verizon/Yellowpages.com and locksmiths in Illinois are working with AT&T. We have gotten favorable responses from them in understanding the issue and their willingness to work with us.

ALOA feels the long-term solution is found in locksmith licensing. Many of the states with current laws are changing their advertising requirements and fine structure to really address the issue of the false addresses (California and Texas). And the current locksmith licensing bills in Florida, Georgia, Maryland and Oregon also include such language.

As you can see there are many different components from many different parts of the country working on this problem. That is a good thing. There is not one thing one person can do, but many things many people can do to lift up the industry.