Choosing a locksmith in a hurry — during a lockout, in the dark, frustrated — is exactly when you are most vulnerable to being overcharged or scammed. The good news is that a few quick questions separate legitimate locksmiths from bad actors before anyone arrives at your door.
1. “Are you licensed by the Texas DPS?”
Texas requires all locksmiths to hold a license from the Department of Public Safety. Ask for the license number. A real locksmith provides it instantly. You can verify any license at texaslocksmithlicense.com before they arrive.
2. “Can you give me a firm total price right now, over the phone?”
Legitimate locksmiths can quote most standard jobs over the phone (lockouts, rekeying, standard key programming). If the response is “we will tell you when we get there” or an intentionally vague range, that is a warning sign. You should know the price before the van leaves.
3. “What is your company name and physical address?”
A scam operation often operates under a generic name with no local address. A legitimate company has a business name, a local address, and a consistent online presence. Search their name in Google Maps and verify reviews are real and recent.
4. “Will the locksmith who arrives be the same company, or a subcontractor?”
Some “locksmith” websites are just lead brokers that sell your call to whoever is available. This is how scam operations operate — the person who arrives has no connection to the company you called and no accountability. A direct company always sends their own employees.
5. “Will drilling be necessary?”
For standard residential lockouts, drilling is almost never necessary. If a locksmith says they need to drill before even looking at your lock, that is a red flag. Drilling destroys the lock cylinder and conveniently creates a large labor and parts upsell. Ask why drilling is required and what alternatives exist.
6. “What forms of payment do you accept?”
Cash-only operations are a warning sign. Legitimate businesses accept credit and debit cards. Cash-only demands make it harder to dispute charges if you are overcharged.
7. “Will the technician show ID when they arrive?”
A licensed locksmith carries their Texas DPS Locksmith License card and photo ID to every job. If the technician refuses to show identification, do not let them work on your property.
Why We Pass All 7 Tests
We are a Texas DPS-licensed locksmith company based in Prosper TX. We quote firm prices over the phone, send our own licensed technicians, and our techs carry photo ID and license documentation on every call. Call (972) 544-4574 to verify any of these answers before we dispatch.
Looking for professional locksmith help? Contact 1st Class Locksmith in Prosper TX — available 24/7 at (972) 544-4574.