Riverdale Locksmith Superlative Services to Fix Lock Issues


There are various types of problems that you might come across with your lock. In most of the cases, you have the knowledge of what the problem is about, though you might need the services of a professional Riverdale locksmith to help fix the issue. Following are few of the common issues that you might come across with your lock.

Door Handle Works but Doesn’t Open

A spring-loaded latch is used in a doorknob or handle. On turning the handle, the spring is pulled -in and compressed, causing the latch to retract. When the lock is in the resting positing, the spring gets elongated. With the locking of the doorknob, no turning of the handle takes place, and that stops the retraction of the latch. This is true as the doorknob turns without opening; the issue occurs when there is no proper interacting of the handle with the latch spring. As per the issue, the fixing of the stuck door latch depends.

To fix the doorknob, you need to find out the section where the links have faltered.

• Remove the handles from the door, along with the through the spindle.
• Work with a tool like a flathead screwdriver and use it to move in the gap of the through the spindle.
• See if the handle is retracted.

If there is a retraction of the latch, then the handles and through spindle are not properly secured. This needs to be fixed. The problem could lie with the handle, the spindle, or the pressure that work to keep them together. Check the various parts and replace the damaged ones. If no damage is found, secure the handles to the door with correct pressure so that turning could move the spindle as well.

If retraction of the latch does not happen, then the problem could be with the latch housing. It must be something to do with the spring or another small component. Instead of replacing such tuned part, it would do well to change the complete latch housing while carrying on with the knobs.

Fixed Deadbolt Lock in Locked Position

A deadbolt lock getting fixed in the locked state is similar to a door lock getting fixed in the open state. The diagnosis methods could be same as that listed above.

Similar solutions should be adopted when dealing with broken lock issue. If the lock is broken due to the application of too much force, and the lock in the locked position gets jammed, it is likely to do with the wear. Due to jamming up of items on one another, proper retraction of them becomes difficult.

Source: Google Image Search

Source: Google Image Search

The issue is quite serious as opening the door becomes difficult. Unlike a deadbolt that is not spring loaded, it is necessary to actuate the lock for it to start working. You need to take the lock apart and wangle for its removal before opening the door.

Fixed Door Lock in Open Position

If the door lock gets stuck in an unlocked state, there are good chances of your home becoming vulnerable to intruders. Depending on the type of lock you have and the severity of the issue, the solution depends. The most problematic will be when the lock of your deadbolt gets stuck in an open position, as the real security for the house is provided by the deadbolt.

 

 

To find out what is wrong, you need to consider few factors and how they could cause the issue.

• With older lock, there are chances of the rusting into positions of the bolt or internals or else there is gumming up.
• The key could be damaged or worn, so it will fail to work in the cylinder. Check out the working of the different keys, or else, if the bolt is actuated by the thumb-turn if it exists.
• The lock cylinder could be broken, in which case, the key or anything else could not be used to move the lock into the locked position.
• Due to misalignment of the door, the door could be ajar when closing the door and the door would seem “locked”.

There are many other solutions that are there for various instances of a broken lock. It must be noted that the security remains limited till the issue is dealt with well.

Fixed Door Knob Lock Button

The lock button is likely to be particular to the interior door handles. This is often quite easy to resolve. There are few quick fixes available for a doorknob lock button that is stuck. These include:

• Begin by pushing the lock button and holding it in and quickly releasing it.
• If that fails to resolve the issue, do rapid depressing of the lock button.
• If the lock button still remains stuck, turn the handle as you keep changing the pressure on the button.
• Do vigorous jiggle of the handle.

This method should be applied if the lock button gets stuck in, which happens to be the common type of button getting stuck. On the contrary, if the lock button is stuck out that prevents you from pressing it, then the jammed parts are likely to shape together with jiggling of the handle while moving the door.

If this fails, the likely reason could be that the stocking of the lock is related to the latch bolt freezing, and it becomes difficult to benefit from spring-loaded latch through space in between the frame and the door. It is simpler to take the door lock than to take the deadbolt or knob lock of the exterior door. If the stuck lock button could be seen and interacted, it becomes possible to fix the screws or the rose. Remove the knob from the door after taking the latch and clean them. There are good chances of rusting or gumming up of the lock. In all likelihood, the lock does not need complete replacement. If it is not possible to clean the lock well, it would do well to replace it completely.

Conclusions

If you are unable to resolve the issue of your own, do not delay in calling One Stop Locksmith, a Riverdale locksmith. Fixing the door lock issue yourself may not always be the best choice for you. The cost involved in getting the services of a professional locksmith may vary depending on the extent of work required, but make sure that the prices charged should be competitive enough. At One Stop Locksmith, our locksmiths are ready to offer services, 24/7, 365 days a year.

Why Should You Hire A Pelham Gardens Locksmith in Break-Ins?


Although it is improbable to be confronted with burglary happening in your Pelham Gardens home when a house is vacant, it would make sense to be ready for the worst case happening. In most of the cases, a burglar will try to get in and out in the quickest possible time, and to this end, they would look for the easiest exit route available. As per studies, burglars usually try to make their exit clear from the rear of the property by making use of the back door before moving upstairs and check the bedrooms upstairs. This remains as the likely route for you to confront the burglar, though there are chances of a violent reaction to start, and your life could be in danger.

You are likely to use an alarm system if you have already installed one from a Pelham Gardens locksmith, especially one with a panic button. If no alarm system exists, you could use the alarm button that exists on the keys. Anything that gives out a loud noise and gets the attention of people around will spook the burglar, and would likely to make good their escape.

You need to get hold of your mobile phone, if possible, and get to a somewhat safer place, like somewhere where you can either barricade yourself or lock the door. Next call the emergency telephone number 911 as soon as possible, and explain to the person at the other end that a burglar has broken into your property. Try to remain calm while explaining the happenings in concise words. However, if it is found that making any kind of sound would likely to endanger your life or betray your hiding to the burglar, then stay silent and try contacting the police for help. Keep the phone line open to help the police know what is happening in your place, and wait for the police to arrive.

Source: Google Image Search

Source: Google Image Search

In the unfortunate event of meeting the burglar face-to-face, it is important to stay calm. Do not scream or shout, on the contrary, try keeping a normal voice. Instead of making a sudden movement towards the burglar, keep your hands high above the head, and be submissive. Ask the burglar to take whatever they prefer, and tell them about your cooperative attitude towards them. Irrespective of the burglar’s face covered or not, try not to make any eye contact with the burglar. This might be interpreted by the person as a sign of aggression, and the burglar could think that you have identified them from the face.

However, there could be instances, where all these fail and you have to go for defense against the burglar. By law, you certainly do not have to wait for the burglar to attack you or other lives in your home before you use defensive force. However, the general rule is to use ‘reasonable force’ to defend yourself. As part of your defense, you could use items around you as weapons to protect yourself like furniture, keys, or anything that could be effectively used for defense purpose.

Attacking a Burglar

The law permits the use of reasonable force to protect yourself or anyone while a crime is being carried out. The law considers it okay if you are found to be doing something to protect you, even if that means the use of weapons. The law also allows the use of reasonable force to execute a citizen’s arrest. Any kind of attack will likely be investigated by the police, but in cases where a person’s house has been burgled, the investigation will be sympathetic and is likely to be short. If there are no signs of serious injuries or clear facts available, the investigation will be completed quickly.

After a break-in

Soon after a burglar intrusion, you should call the police. You should also make sure that you stay away from touching or moving anything, as there could be a need to search for fingerprints or footprints by the forensic team. Usually, for non-urgent cases, the police arrive at the site within a few hours; they will get a statement from you as well as others whom they thing are worth considering. Before leaving, they will issue a crime number, which is mandatory to make an insurance claim.

As soon as the police leave your property, you should call a reputable Pelham Gardens Locksmith. One Stop Locksmith is a well-known service provider in Pelham Gardens. They provide their services 24/7, which means they are ready to provide their services whenever they are called out, day or night. They provide guaranteed service in Pelham Gardens for every security need. It is found that around 28 percent of people are likely to get their houses burgled for the second time, and that makes it necessary to secure houses as early as possible. Due to ease and familiarity, burglars will likely to intrude the same house that they have burgled previously. Hence, it is important to employ a fully-accredited and trustworthy locksmith to bolster the security of your home.

Top Co-Op City Locksmiths Can Help Property Owners


If you own several properties and are on rent, you are likely to be aware of various issues related to the properties. In addition to the monthly administration tasks, there are the tenant call-outs, which could be both expensive and take up a good amount of your valuable time. Fortunately, with the availability of Co-op city locksmith services, it is possible for you to group together several potential issues, and allow them to just one service provider. With the contact details of a reliable Co-op city locksmith, you not only save your valuable time and money but ensure you and your tenants with the peace-of-mind knowing that a service is just close at hand whenever an emergency crops up.

Following are top 5 issues that any professional locksmith can resolve easily, with a timely services and almost no hassle for the owner’s end.

Lock Replacement and Repairs

A common reason that requires the services of a locksmith is lock repair that usually occurs due to usual wear, and which happens time and again. Perhaps some of the locks are in original features, but they have turned dull and make it operation difficult. After all, prospective tenants will not find it appreciative to be shown around a house where operating a lock needs some special technique. When the need is to deal with deadlocks and Yale locks, your tenants expect them to be strong and easy to operate. And in the untoward event of losing their key near their home, tenants require lock changes, even if that means a lost copy of it existing close-by, just to feel safe. Calling a Co-op city locksmith will be easiest and safest thing to do in this situation.

Hassle-Free Entry

This is a regular feature happening to us at some point in time. As we close the door behind, we realize to have left the key inside. The mistake is quite unfortunate, but surprisingly it occurs with monotonous regularity. And if you happen to be traveling or on a holiday, there are good chances of getting a call-out. There may not be copies of keys at home as part of security; if the services of an estate agent are used, it will be restricted to business hours. Irrespective of the time of call-out, with the availability of contact details of a locksmith, you can be sure that the issue will be resolved satisfactorily without causing any damage to the property.

Source: Google Image Search

Source: Google Image Search

Fixing Window Locks

The above-mentioned points are equally true when it comes to window locks. The good thing about locksmith is that in addition to tending your door locks, these professionals are skilled in proper maintaining of windows as well. From ill-functioning mechanisms to lost keys, you certainly would like that the issue is resolved quickly.

 

 

 

 

Alarms and CCTV

A great way to bolster the safety of tenants, and reduce the possible costly damages done to the property, intruder alarms and CCTV are excellent security features. Although alarms are widely used for single properties and houses, CCTV is specifically installed in large properties like flats and apartment blocks where there are regular footfalls. Whichever security feature you would like to install, hiring the services of a professional locksmith would be the best step you could take.

Now A Reliable Co-op city Locksmith is Close at Hand

Here at One Stop Locksmith, our trusted Co-op city Locksmith professionals are ready to help you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. All our locksmiths are fully insured, and we offer emergency services as well as break-in repairs and other property security services.

The Role of Morris Park Locksmith When Your Car Fails to Start


The different reasons for your car not to start are not always obvious. This article discusses ways that a Morris Park locksmith would be able to help you when you find your car won’t start.  The common issues could be with the keys or the ignition cylinders. And to deal with these issues, you may need the services of the Locksmiths to turn over your car.

Troubleshooting When Your Car Fails to Start

If after doing the basic troubleshooting you are unable to make the car move, you can navigate the various issues that you might be facing and find the right solutions for them. Some common issues could be a dead car battery, the engine having some vapor lock, etc. However, this article discusses issues that require the services of a Morris Park locksmith from  for their solutions.

Instances Where the Services of a Locksmith is Required

A Worn Car Key

Over the passage of time, there are chances of the car key getting worn down. This issue is not always considered and it becomes difficult to troubleshoot unless a sparely used key is used. Make use of a spare key and find out if the car turns over. If the spare key used is relatively unused, and still, the car does not start, it is a proof that the issue is not with a worn out key. The reason for a worn key not functional is due to change in shapes and depths of the grooves as a result of repeated use. The solution to this issue lies in replacing the key. The key could be made by a key cutter that a locksmith uses to make a new key by code.

Ignition Switch Issues

A common problem for a car not to start is its ignition switch. Often this problem is mistakenly taken as an issue with the car battery. To find the right cause, you can use your headlights and find out if a faulty ignition switch is a reason behind the car not starting.  Without the car is on and without inserting the proper keys, it is possible to switch on the headlight. If the lights are on, though the dashboard lights are not, it is a good proof of the battery working fine.

Source: Google Image Search

Source: Google Image Search

Either the full ignition switch needs to be replaced, or else an issue with wiring is there for the car not to start. For proper working, there should be a connection between the ignition switch and the battery. Often due to manufacturing errors, these connections get severed. There could be additional issues cropping up if the ignition switch is replaced after changing the battery.

Ignition Cylinder Problems

If the key does not turn a car but works for door locks and not the ignition cylinder, it is certainly not an issue with the ignition switch, but there are chances of a worn out ignition cylinder. If there are many keys to an old car, there are good chances of the ignition cylinder requiring replacement. Chances are there of the key wearing out quicker compared with the cylinder, though the cylinder could also wear down.

To rescue your existing ignition cylinder, you could rekey the ignition. This will lower the costs that you would otherwise have to bear in cutting keys, programming new keys and even door lock cylinders replacement. It would make sense to hire the services of a professional to assess your car’s conditions because issues concerning ignition cylinders can actually be due to key problems. The possible problems could be sending wrong or no signals by the car key to the car’s computer. It is only an experienced eye that can detect the reason for the car not to start.

Invalid Signaling

Some cars are available that makes the existing keys invalidated as soon as the battery is changed. Some issues could come up if new keys are made, which is usually found in aftermarket electronic car keys. Electronic keys and transponder chips could get damaged without any signs of them not working. If you own a new car key recently, it may not be known to have a transponder key programming. All these factors could affect how the car key is sending a signal to the car’s computer or the transceiver of the car.

The best solution for all these various types of issues is to find a reliable Morris Park locksmith  service provider like One Stop Locksmith specializing in auto locksmith services. They should have knowledge of using programming and key cutting machines and also be able to access the diagnostic port of the car to work with the onboard computer.  The process involved is more complex compared to duplicating car keys.

Key Fob Battery Dead

With modern cars, a common issue that is found is the car failing to start when the ignition button is pressed on a keyless start system. The likely issue could be with the battery in the key fob, and all that is needed is to change the battery and make it work again. If no spare car key is available, or else there is no battery replacement, it is really going to be a hard time.

Conclusion

There are many good reasons for a car failing to start. You have come to know few of these things that when investigated would help to solve the issue at hand and get your car moving again. If you find fixing ignition or car key problems difficult, you need to get the services of professional Morris Park locksmith.

Kingsbridge Locksmith Tips for a Successful Realtor’s Experience


There is a general notion in Kingsbridge that the job of a realtor is mainly to find the rightly priced property that meets the needs of their clients. Although that could be the primary function of the Kingsbridge realtor, the main focus should however be to see the best interest of their clients while fulfilling all the buying and selling requirements of their home. Even as performing this task effectively, the realtor needs to be aware of 4 important pieces of information related to locks. After all, locks exist in every home and securing the locks with the help of Kingsbridge locksmith remains the primary task to secure the homes.

Knowing Rekeying Locks

It is a known fact that changing locks is a wise decision one makes when moving into a new residence, especially when the home was occupied by a previous owner. However, not everyone knows that replacement of locks is not the only means to beef up security. Getting the locks replaced could be a costly and time-consuming proposition, as the task requires buying the entire hardware and installing it. A simpler and cost-effective alternative is rekeying.

Source: Google Image Search

Source: Google Image Search

 

In rekeying, there is a reconfiguration of the inner mechanisms of the existing locks, and cutting of new keys are done that matches with the new configuration. The old locks are as good as the brand new one, as the old keys become useless. It is important for the homeowner as well as a realtor to be aware of rekeying. And realtors would do well to provide rekeying to their clients, instead of asking them about rekeying. Realtors would make the perfect gift to their client by providing rekeying, which is affordable, practical, and memorable. Undoubtedly this gift would make a lasting impression on your clients.

 

 

 

 

Strengthen Deadbolts

Deadbolts are generally taken as the primary item to secure most doors, though they can give way if the pressure applied is strong enough to split open the screws from the door frame. To bolster the strength of a deadbolt, it is important to use longer and stronger screws, because they reach to the studs that exist in the door frame, and make the door stronger against excessive force.

By making sure that the deadbolts that exist in the client’s doors are fitted with above average screws, you actually protect their property and get across your concern for the well-being of the client. The next time the client plans to move, he or she is likely to consider you first as their realtor.

Using a Single Key for Everything

Rekeying could be an excellent solution for a client who owns many homes at the same time. It would be so nice for the client if they could use a single key to use for multiple properties. Rekeying the mother or grandmother’s house to the same key as one’s own residence, the client would be extremely pleased as there will be no need to search out the right key every time they reach any property. And when it comes to rekeying, there will be no need to replace all the locks to make them ready to work with the same key. No confusion will arise due to managing different keys for locks in various properties as it will be easy to reconfigure the locks for a single key. Realtors would make a great act of passing this important piece of information to their clients and prevent them from facing sheer annoyance with their keys. Clients find the availability of important information helpful, which acts in developing a better relationship, and often brings in return business.

Decode the Lock with No Key

Sometimes, you may find locks that are without a key, and which the owner would find quite annoying as the locks could be guarding something valuable. Keys are vulnerable to misplacement while on the move, and there could be instances when it fails to turn back. The keys for desks, cabinets, mailboxes, garage doors and utility boxes often get misplaced, and that requires the client to install a new lock every time it happens. Many people fail to understand that it is possible to decode the lock and create new keys as a replacement for the lost ones. Licensed and certified Kingsbridge locksmith of One Stop Locksmith make use of advanced tools to decode and cut a new key for that lock to open. Passing this valuable piece of information to clients would save a considerable time, money and frustration, if ever they misplace key.

Realty & One Stop Locksmith

Clients depend heavily on the realtors when it comes to selecting a new home. By being well-informed about the various locks and lock security, you can actually help your client know the proper way of securing their new home. One Stop Locksmith would love to work along with realtors in Kingsbridge so that their clients get the best security in their new home. We provide affordable lost keys replacement, and rekeying of locks to new homeowners as well as high-security locks, creation/maintenance of master key system, emergency lock picking services, patio locks, burglary safes, and home security surveys. Call us today and provide the best closing gift to your clients.

Throgs Neck Locksmith to Beef Up Your Home’s Security


If you are a new homeowner in Throgs Neck, you may feel a little excited at the future prospects. You love the extra space of the new home and look forward to meeting new faces in your neighborhood. But you also feel a little scared at your new home. This is because the huge investment that you made in owning the home makes you a bit worried about possible damages that could occur to the property. This could be in the form of theft and vandalism to your home, and fixing them could cost you thousands of dollars, which may be prohibitive.

Fortunately, following few easy steps you could prevent theft and break-ins happening in your new home. Here are these steps that will beef up the security of your home without costing you an arm and a leg.

Get Services of Professional Removalists

When it comes to saving money, you find it worthwhile to get the help of friends and family when you move house. And when the moving van reaches your new home, your neighbors are likely to offer help. However, not everyone has good intentions, and there are chances of someone making use of the situation and try stealing items like costly electronics, antique jewelry, etc. Hence, it would make sense to hire the services of a reliable removalist that provides services that include insurance as well. If you find something missing during the move, you can make a claim.

Quick Changes of Locks and Keys

Once you ink the deal with the seller, you may feel positive about your new home.  And after receiving your keys from the seller, you feel a little thrilled knowing that you finally own the home. But there are chances of the seller leaving spare keys with their family or friends. And this friendly act could compromise the security of your home, as anyone having the spare keys could open the front door when you are not at home.

Source: Google Image Search

Source: Google Image Search

Hence, at your new home, it would do well to hire the services of professional Throgs Neck locksmith to make changes to your locks and rekey all of home. If a garage door opener is there for your home, do a reprogramming of the opener also.

Go for Good Window Treatments

Your home looks like a blank canvas for the first time you enter your home. You could do a painting of the rooms, put in tasteful hangings, etc, wherever you like to place them. Within few days and months, your home will reflect your taste and personality. You make new blinds, drapes, and curtains as you start settling into your home. These you do to prevent passers-by see your rooms through bare windows and come to know about all the valuables that are worth grabbing. With the installation of solid window treatments, you make sure that your house has more of a home feel as well as prevent prying eyes of passers-by.

Have a New Safe

At the time of buying your house, you make use of your personal documents, from bank statements to tax forms. All these forms make it easy for the lender to close the deal, and making sure that the required funds necessary to purchase the house are available.

However, after you move to your new house, you require a safe place to keep these documents in a secure manner. The traditional cardboard box might not be the best thing to protect your documents. If ever anyone finds these documents, they could make use of the valuable data to steal millions of dollars in credit.

The best thing you could do is to get in touch with a professional Throgs Neck locksmith and discuss installing a modern burglary safe in your new home. The sooner you make your personal information secure, the better it is for you to rest peacefully.

Feel Safe and Secure

These are few important steps that you could make use of to beef up the security of your new home. With little imagination, you could find newer ways to improve the security of your investment. Contact One Stop Locksmith for for better security of your property.

Consider the Nature of Services before Hiring a Riverdale Locksmith


The nature of services that are provided by a Riverdale locksmith depends on the type of services for which the locksmith is hired to successfully execute the task. The various types of locksmiths available include auto locksmiths, emergency locksmiths, residential locksmiths, commercial locksmiths.

Auto locksmiths are well-known to provide emergency auto lock services. Among the services they offer are car lockouts, resolutions of lost keys, servicing the locking keys, removing a key off in the ignition, or keypads access. The service provider makes use of auto locksmith tools to work on the vehicular issue. Other services provided by auto locksmiths include lock or cylinder change, key making and key replacing for ignition and door of the vehicle.

The emergency locksmiths assist homes and businesses when some lock related issues occur. There could be instances where the owner of the home or business gets locked inside their home or business. In situations like these, the owner needs to call the emergency lockout services. This type of services is also required if there is any burglary attempt on the property. This service has a major role to play in the repair of broken doors or locks. The emergency locksmiths of One Stop Locksmith are reputed for their quick response to emergency calls in their toll-free number at any time of the day or night. So getting their services is just a call away.

The standard locksmith services are meant for the residential and commercial locks. The locks in this category keep changing over time and the locksmiths who are providing such services have to keep themselves abreast of the latest development in lock technology. Often these locksmiths can provide advice on the right type of lock that is appropriate for your home or business. These locksmiths also provide other services like repairing, upgrading, changing locks at the householder or commercial establishment.

Riverdale Locksmith

Source: Google Image Search

When looking for a trained and skilled locksmith, in addition to having expert knowledge and experience in carrying out the job successfully, the locksmith should be licensed and has the BBB A+ rating that ensures that the locksmith has expert knowledge and experience in carrying out the job successfully. In this respect, you could get in touch with certified locksmiths of One Stop Locksmith who are adept at providing their services during an emergency.

A trustworthy Riverdale locksmith company will be providing their contact details on their official website, and likely their location map as well that shows their location or the areas that they serve. The website will also have a list of services they provide, and possibly emergency call-out services for residential and business needs. However, not all providers offer automotive locksmith services, and hence it would do well to check if the locksmith company has a segment to provide auto locksmith services also. Finally, one should check the presence of Accreditation by Better Business Bureau (BBB) and references on the website of the locksmith company. After all, their presence is a good sign that they have the necessary expertise and experience.

One Stop Locksmith is a Riverdale locksmith Company accredited by Better Business Bureau (BBB), and offering 24 hours emergency locksmith services all through the year. You can learn more about their services by visiting https://www.nyonestoplocksmith.com or call to speak with their customer care number 718-548-0666.

Alarming Facts about Lock Bumping


An experienced intruder can get into your home in as little as 15 seconds.  Today there are many tools available online (or even tools that thieves can make themselves) that allow intruders quick access into your home or place of business.

Intruders today are using a process known as lock bumping to gain access to locked doors. Lock bumping is high security pluga popular technique used by criminals to open cylinder locks and deadbolt locks by using a specially designed key called a bump key. Lock bumping has gained popularity in the past few years due to the simplicity and effectiveness of this technique. Originally used by locksmiths, this technique has come to the attention of criminals who can simply search the internet for topics like, “How to Create a Bump Key”, and they are given step by step instructions on how to create a bump key and how to “bump open” a lock!  There are countless videos on You Tube that demonstrate the entire process as well! If this is not a greenlight for crime – I don’t know what is!

What is a bump key?

Bump keys are special keys that are cut to take advantage of the mechanics of pin tumbler locks.  It is basically a standard key that has all the cuts (or valleys) at maximum depth so that it can fit it into all locks. If the bump key physically fits into a lock, there is a good chance the key will open the lock.  Many sites on the internet sell a complete bump key set for about $20.00.  This key will open virtually any lock.  In addition, homemade bump keys can be easily made with an old key and a triangular file.  Lock bumping can be learned in under an hour and requires almost no skills. With bump keys and tutorials so readily available online, lock bumping has become one of the most effective tools in the criminal’s arsenal. According to the Crime Reports.com, “Researchers estimate that over 95% of conventional home and business locks are vulnerable to a bump key attack.”

What can you do to protect your home?

high Security

Today, more than 90% of American homes have doors with old style cylinder locks which are extremely vulnerable to lock bumping.  Even brand-new locks from big box home improvement and hardware stores are also vulnerable to lock bumping.

The best option is to purchase a high security cylinder lock that can protect your home. These locks are known for their strength and resistance to tampering.  They are secure locks that are bump and pick resistant and they offer a significant defense against picking, drilling, and unauthorized key duplication.  Made of solid metal such as brass or steel they also offer an added defense against forced entry.

One Stop Locksmith has a large selection of the strongest, high security locks and keys for your home.  They can install these locks on any door in your home; giving you the protection and peace of mind you want for the safety of your home and family. Give them a call at 888-599-5625 and they can inspect all of the locks on your home or place of business. Protect your home, family or place of business with a high security locks today.

Avoid the Locksmith Scammers


Avoid the Locksmith Scammers

24 hour locksmithIf you are in need of a locksmith, especially in an emergency situation, the whole experience can be alarming, overwhelming and even cause anxiety. A friend of mine recently found herself in that situation and unfortunately, her unlucky experience of being locked out her house – became even more disastrous when she was scammed by a phony locksmith company.

My friend had just returned from vacation and after a long day of traveling across the country, she was finally home.  When she tried to get into her front door, she realized she had lost her house keys. Whether they were in the taxi, the airplane or her hotel didn’t matter at this point as it was late and dark and being alone, she wanted to get inside her home!   Of course she had her cell phone with her so she searched for a locksmith and was happy to find a locksmith that offered 24 hour services at very reasonable prices. This locksmith claimed that the cost would be under $20.00 to get her into her home and they would also be able to make her a new key right on the spot!  (Sounds too good to be true – right?) But at that moment it was a great sense of relief to my friend and it sounded like a great deal to her, so she gave them her address.

Within a half hour, someone did show up at her home and they did get her into her house.  However, (and this is a big “however”) – they broke the entire knob and handle off of her door, which required a replacement that they could provide immediately.  The cost of course, was nowhere near $20.00 as promised, the entire service cost $300.00 and they demanded to be paid in cash!  Now I won’t go into the rest of the story – but the point is that my friend was scammed!  In this case the so called “locksmith” used what is known as a “Bait and Switch” technique.  In this shameful scam, locksmiths advertise unreasonably low prices to attract business and can charge as much as 400 to 500 percent more after completing their work!  In addition to the bait and switch tactic, the following are some other scam tactics that these phony locksmiths may use:

Cash Only Scam: Scammers pose as locksmiths, and, after “fixing” a customer’s lock, they claim they can only take cash payment due to a broken credit card machine or some other illegitimate excuse. This prevents the customer from disputing the charge later.

Identity Theft:  In this tactic, the customer usually receives decent service and pays the expected price but the criminal providing the service steals their private information to either sell or utilize for themselves.

New Handle or Door Knob Scam: The alleged locksmiths will claim that the only way to gain access to a customer’s home is by breaking the handle or wrenching it off. This requires the customer to buy one of the scammer’s overpriced replacements, but the customer doesn’t know this until after the damage is done.

As I review my friend’s story and some of the scams that are out there – I see that she was a victim of more than one type of scam. So what can you do to prevent this from happening to you?  According to the Better Business Bureau there are several things to be aware of when hiring a locksmith.  You should always lookout for warning signs like suspiciously low prices, a locksmith in an unmarked vehicle with no company uniform, cash-only policies, a collection of negative reviews online, or the demand for upfront payment. By taking just a few extra minutes to stop and evaluate your situation, you can stop from making a rash decision and prevent yourself from becoming the next locksmith scam victim.

For a reliable and trustworthy locksmith, you can count on One Stop Locksmith for all of your locksmith needs.  For experienced locksmith services call us any time at 718-548-0666 or 914-966-0666.   Or call 888-599-LOCK (5625) .

 

 

 

How to Remove a Broken Key From a Door Lock


A do it yourself tip from One stop Locksmith. Breaking a key in half always seems to happen when you’re in a hurry. You may have turned the key too hard or too forcefully, causing in to split. With one half of your key in the door lock and the other in your hand, you may wonder what to do next. First, spray the lock with lubricant and then go to your garage to locate a pair of needle nose pliers. Using the pliers to hold the key in place, move it slowly to see if you can pull it out. If the key resists, try turning the lock tumbler to loosen it. If you can’t do this on your own contact us at 888-599-5625 For a residential Locksmith in the Bronx or for a commercial locksmith


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