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Where is Georgia’s attorney general?
Over the past few years several state’s attorney generals have sued the illegal locksmith companies and AT&T. At least in those states the citizens can rest a little easier and the honest locksmiths can continue to work and provide for their families. But I beg to ask…Why hasn’t the attorney general of Georgia done anything? Are we more interested in bass fishing here in Georgia instead of shutting down illegal crime syndicates? I like to fish but not that much.
Many Georgia residents have been victimized by these illegal locksmith companies. I am sure that at least a few have complained to the attorney general or to the governors office. We have had legislation pending for a few years now that would regulate the locksmith industry and require locksmiths to be licenced. Passing this law would be a good first step in combatting these thieves but our legislators will not act on it. Maybe they are spending too much time at the lake catching bass?
In the mean time, If you need a locksmith, feel free to call us. We live and work here. Our company and its subsidiaries have been in business for over 30 years. We have a Texas Locksmith licence(#B15724) and a Georgia Low Voltage Licence(#LVG105098) That is the closest that Georgia has to a “security” license.
Whether you need an automotive locksmith, commercial locksmith, or a residential locksmith, you can trust that our locksmith service will be the best, most detailed, and the most professional.
MO attorney general goes after AT&T and illegal locksmith
Missouri Attorney General Files Locksmith Lawsuit
Mo. AG Targets Phony Locksmiths, AT&T Yellow Pages After KCTV5 Investigation
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Another KCTV5 News investigation got real results. The Missouri attorney general has launched a campaign to stop fraud by phony locksmiths after KCTV5 exposed a scam.
KCTV5 exposed a network of so-called locksmiths who are flooding a Kansas City phone book with fake addresses.
Missouri Attorney General Chris Koster filed a lawsuit to try to stop the fraud and get locked-out victims their money back.
On Thursday, three days after the KCTV5 News investigation aired, Koster announced what is believed to be the first legal action of its kind in the country, going after locksmith fraud and the Yellow Pages, as well.
“Clearly the Yellow Pages has made lots of money off of this,” said Koster.
The state is suing Dependable Locks Inc., out of Florida, a company accused of flooding the phone book with dozens of company aliases and hundreds of phone numbers.
And the attorney general’s office has given the AT&T Yellow Pages five business days to shut off hundreds of phone numbers linked to the fraudulent companies.
“We view that as the most practical solution to the problem. We’ll check back in five days and see,” said Koster.
Sammye Guenther called one of those phone numbers when she locked her keys in the car, but the number that looked local in the phone book wasn’t local at all. She ended up paying more than originally quoted to a technician who said he had to use an expensive device to open her door.
Because of the special device, the technician charged Guenther $176, three times the going rate for local locksmiths.
Koster said his office moved quickly after the KCTV5 News investigation aired. He said AT&T is making money off the fake listings, leaving locked-out customers to pay the price.
“KCTV5 talked extensively about it. The story raised awareness, and now our office is following up to get money back — and more importantly, to shut down the practice,” said Koster.
The lawsuit lists 20 company aliases pointed out in the KCTV5 News investigation and demands the parent company and all of its aliases stop doing business in the state of Missouri.
Koster’s office also demanded AT&T hand over billing records connected to the locksmith network so that his office can get a better idea of how the tangled network of so-called locksmiths set up shop in the first place.
The attorney general’s own investigator went undercover. She said Thursday that she was quoted a price of about $55 and ended up paying $109.
KCTV5’s Dana Wright called AT&T again Thursday for a comment about the attorney general’s actions but got no reply.
The attorney general wants money back for some of the Kansas City customers who have been overcharged. Anyone who believes he or she has been a victim of Dependable Locks Inc. is asked to contact the attorney general’s consumer hot line at 800-392-8222.
Previous Stories:
* March 31, 2009: KCTV5 NEWS INVESTIGATION: Beware Locksmith Listings
Copyright 2009 by KCTV5.com. All rights reserved.
The Attorney General’s listing of related companies had a familiar ring to it and many are still present in Google’s index. “The following are the alternate business names used by Dependable Locks, Inc.”:
–A#1 24 Hour Locksmith
–A 24 Hour Locksmith
–AAA 24 & 7 Day Locksmith
–A Always Available 24 Hour Locksmith
–A Emergency A Locksmith
–A Locksmith Always 24 Hour
–A Locksmith A 1-24 Hour
–A Locksmith 00 24 Hour
–A Locksmith O Always 24 Hour
–A Locksmith Service 24 Hour
–A Locksmith 24 Hour Emergency
These are only a few of the names used by this and other illegal companies. Conusmers need to beware when shopping for a locksmith in Georgia. As other states crack down, these crooks are flooding our state.
