One look at the statistics will tell you what we’re talking about. More than 2 million burglaries occur in the United States annually and out of these 66% are residential break-ins.

Unprofessional Locksmiths

When it comes to fixing door locks, it’s imperative that you hire the right people for the job. The problem is, there are a lot of unprofessional locksmiths in the market who use false marketing to attract customers.

They make claims about offering services at cheaper rates but you can take our word for it, their services are never up to the standard. Let’s look at some of the reasons why you should avoid these people:

They Don’t Offer All Kinds of Services

Door locks consist of different components; problems with any one of these can prevent the lock from working properly. Only a professional locksmith has the skills to identify the actual issue and fix it.

The thing about unprofessional locksmiths is that their skill set is limited. They might know how to replace the lock but what if the problem lies with the door instead? This is why you should always rely on professionals to get the job done.

Majority of Them Are Scam Artists

Unprofessional locksmiths are expert con artists. They initially make false promises to customers only to tell them later that the problem is bigger than they thought and the customers would need to pay more money to fix the issue.

If you refuse to pay the additional amount, they might even leave the work unfinished. This will only increase your overall costs because of which we suggest that you avoid such service providers in the first place.

They Only Cause More Damage

Unprofessional locksmiths only do more harm than good. Just to give you an example, initially, the problem might be with the lock but because they had no idea what they were doing, they damaged the door as well. Now you wouldn’t have to just get the lock fixed, you’ll also need to buy a new door.

They Don’t Have Insurance

Nobody is perfect. Even a professional locksmith can make mistakes but their services are insured so the customers get compensated in case problems arise in the future. However, that wouldn’t be the case with unprofessional locksmiths.

These are just some of the reasons which you should get in touch with us. We offer 24-hour locksmith services in New York City. You can count on us for reliable commercial as well as residential locksmith services. Contact us at 347-753-9043.

<p>The post Why Unprofessional Locksmiths Are a Bad Choice first appeared on New York Locksmith Networks Inc.</p>

Calling a locksmith over to help save the day seems to be the only option in such scenarios. However, trustworthy locksmiths are hard to find.

Here are a few tips to steer clear of unreliable locksmiths.

Find A Local Locksmith Service

Look for locksmith services near you so you can visit their office in case of issues. Finding a locksmith in your area will help you avoid scams. Many online locksmith services sub-contract the work to local locksmiths. These then charge their customers excessively for their commission.

Get Recommendations

When hiring a locksmith service provider, consult your friends or relatives. You can get good recommendations on online forums and social media for finding local locksmiths. Online reviews can help select a suitable local locksmith.

Find An Insured Locksmith Service

Make sure the service provider you’re hiring is insured. This helps if any damage is caused to your property.

Find An Accredited Source

Look for companies that are certified and accredited to a trusted association. Many companies have websites that you can visit to see the credentials. Make sure your service provider is reliable before you invite them over to your property.

Professional Locksmith For Your Need

There are three major types of locksmiths: automotive, residential and commercial.

Before hiring a locksmith, make sure they serve your particular need. You can end up having damaged property if incompetent individuals are hired. You can reach out to us at 347-753-9043 to have our trained locksmiths cater your particular need.

Keep An Eye On The Charges

Once you select a locksmith service provider, ask them for a breakdown of the quote. Reliable locksmiths will be more than happy to inform you about the charges. If you feel your locksmith is beating about the bush on this topic, consider looking for other options.

Asking For Their ID

Always ask for the locksmith’s ID before letting them inside your property. You may also ask them to show you a business card. Look for the vehicle they arrive in. Many companies have their details printed on their cars.

Confirm The Quote

Before the locksmith starts its work, confirm the quote you’d been given over the phone. This way, the locksmith can’t change the quote after their work is completed.

With over 22 years of experience in commercial, automotive, industrial and residential locksmith services, we at New York Locksmith Networks ensure customer satisfaction and timely service. We offer 24 hour locksmith in Brooklyn NY. Our company is certified, accredited and bonded.

<p>The post How To Avoid Being Conned By A Locksmith first appeared on New York Locksmith Networks Inc.</p>

Statistics

Between January 2016 and February 2017, more than 7000 claims were filed against the TSA for property loss and damage.

The numbers are staggering to say the least and this highlights the importance of having luggage locks.

What Are Luggage Locks

As the name suggest, these types of locks are used with the luggage. The goal is to ensure that the bags wouldn’t open in the middle of the flight. In addition to that, these locks also protect luggage from thieves.

Why Are These A Good Option?

As stated earlier, luggage locks are actually deterrents that ensure that curious airport staff and handlers are not able to gain access to your belongings. The locks also hold the chains together and prevent the bag from opening.

Some people live in hostels or share rooms with strangers during their trips and it’s only natural that they want to make sure nobody is able to open their bags. Luggage locks can do the trick.

Limitations

Luggage locks have their fair share of limitations as well. Just a cursory glance on YouTube will give you an idea regarding some of the ways in which these locks can be opened.

This is why it’s also preferable that you keep valuable items in your carry-on bag. Also, know that TSA does not always accept liability for damaged or lost items so it’s important that you practice caution.

TSA Guidelines

Make sure that the locks you use are approved by TSA. Airport personnel are very strict when it comes to security and cut off locks that are not TSA approved or if they feel extra screening is required.

With TSA approved locks, that’s not a problem since airport personnel have the master keys.

What’re the Alternatives Available

In addition to luggage locks, you can also use zip ties. These are so cheap that you won’t be bothered if airport personnel decide to cut them off.

Some travelers also wrap their suitcases in plastic. This service is available at majority of the airports around the country.

Looking for a high quality locks that protect your luggage? Get in touch with us. Our number locks are ideal for travel. In addition to that, we also offer 24 Hour Locksmith Services NYC. Dial 347-753-9043 to avail our residential and commercial locksmith Brooklyn services.

<p>The post Travel Safe: Ways to Protect Your Luggage first appeared on New York Locksmith Networks Inc.</p>

Majority of burglaries happen in residential areas and while the financial losses are bad enough, the trauma can leave its mark for a long time. Such events leave families feeling unsafe in their own homes.

We share some of the most common ways someone can break into your home.

Windows

Most windows are fragile and provide a perfect point of entry for burglars. Not to mention the sound of breaking glass is often ignored by neighbors. Since most windows have poor locking systems, they are easy to force through. The problem is further worsened by the fact that most people leave their windows open during summers, which is really an invitation to any potential intruder. For this very reason, you should install secondary locking mechanisms in your windows. Also make sure to lock them every time you decide to leave your home, if even for a short while.

Shrubbery

This one goes both ways. Apart from providing aesthetic beauty to your backyard, shrubs can act as the first line of defense. Pyracantha or Osmanthus are the types of hedges which have prickly thorns and can deter burglars from taking cover. If you do not have these plants, then it is advisable to trim the shrubbery especially the one near your windows and doors as these can provide cover for burglars to break in.

Man’s best friend

Since time immemorial, dogs have been known to hunt for and protect humans. Having superior hearing capabilities means they can easily spot sneaky intruders. They can also be trained to bark at strangers, securing your property from all potential break-ins. They also prove to be cute companions!

Home Security systems

Having an old, worn-out lock won’t do any good in deterring burglars. Most burglars are on the lookout for houses with weak security systems. Technology has come a long way, and with it, advancement in home security systems. Most modern-day systems are highly sophisticated in nature and prove near impossible to break. They are also equipped with silent alarms, which alert the law enforcement forces without letting the intruder know. This greatly increases the chance of the burglar being caught. The security systems also come with photo and audio logs to keep a track of all the people who have entered your premises.

Don’t rely on your old locks for home security. Contact our experienced 24-hour locksmiths in NY for state-of-the-art security systems in your home today.

<p>The post Most Common Ways Someone Can Break Into Your Home first appeared on New York Locksmith Networks Inc.</p>

They keep a copy of your key

This is the most common myth that comes to mind. Just because they make an extra copy of your key doesn’t turn them into potential offenders. Your locksmith will make the copy in your presence and will hand in your original key once done.

Once the original is in your possession, it’s very challenging making a copy of a key with another copy. Each copy is inferior to the original with its accuracy minimized.

They are restricted to residential services

Many locksmiths offer a wide range of services from automotive locksmith to industrial and commercial locksmiths. They are well equipped with all tools necessary providing you with the solutions. This can happen to be repairing a car ignition to installing commercial grade locks.

All Locksmiths are trustworthy

An “out of town” locksmith will be the first to respond to your call. They will offer to perform the service in a short span of time and will quote a relatively low price. They then proceed to take hours to perform the service, and end up charging hundreds of dollars.

Do your research before-hand. Ask for credentials; having a locksmith license is required in most states. Your research may cost you more time but will get you legit services.

Break a window, it’ll be cheaper

Unless you have money to burn or glass supplier at the ready, calling a locksmith is definitely cheaper than breaking in. Prices for locksmith services vary greatly from region to region.

Most locksmiths in NYC offer 24-hour emergency locksmith services Call them up and get a quote.

They all use the same grade of tools

If every locksmith company was using the same grade of tools, there would be no difference in services. There are two factors that matter: a) the quality of the equipment they use; b) the expertise, skill and the experience of the locksmith. It’s never just one over the other. It’s both!

The next time you find yourself needing a locksmith; just remember to contact New York Locksmith Networks to avail the services of the best in the business.

<p>The post 5 Common Myths Surrounding Locksmiths first appeared on New York Locksmith Networks Inc.</p>

Thanks to advancements in technology, we now have digital and wireless keys. Here are some keys you might have come across or already have in your possession.

Deadbolt Keys

These keys are usually made for home security purposes. Locksmiths are asked to make these kinds of keys (and originals) for people who do not have the more advanced electronic or digital locking system in their homes. These keys are made for three types of deadbolts: single cylinder, double cylinder, and lockable thumb-turn.

Knob-lock Keys

These keys are often requested as an alternative to the above-mentioned. Because knob-locks are becoming a thing of the past, such types of keys are no longer commonly requested. Their design is pretty basic, and their locks are one of the easier to pick.

Padlock Keys

Padlocks are usually an area of expertise for most locksmiths. In order to enhance security, some padlocks are made in a way so that their keys cannot be copied.

Laser-cut Car keys

Laser-cut car keys are designed to be “face-up” on either way of the ignition. These keys are far more popular because they have the same grooves on either side which makes copying them infinitely harder for criminals. Its effectiveness lies in the fact that far more replicated copies will turn out to be inaccurate.

Whether or not such keys are ‘better’ than mechanically cut keys is up for debate. If you do, however, want the extra level of security, then this is the key for you.

Transponder Keys

By finding the code that is necessary for your transceiver, a locksmith can program a transponder key for your car without the need for an existing one. For vehicles manufactured after 1995, transponder keys are the answer to accessing your vehicle if you’ve lost your original keys.

Valet Keys

Unlike conventional keys, valet keys are like ‘bare-bone’ key duplicates. They enable the user to open the vehicle locks and start the ignition, but do not open the trunk or glove boxes. This is obvious as the valet spends little time within the vehicle and their duty is limited to car-parking. These kinds of keys hold special importance for business and restaurant owners.

Car Keys

The need to duplicate car keys exists everywhere around the world. Unlike other keys, these are hard to duplicate. The model, year, and make are all variables taken into consideration by the locksmith when making a copy.

Now that you know the types of keys made by locksmiths, the importance of hiring a professional locksmith can hardly be understated. Contact our automobile locksmith in New York City now to avail the latest branded car keys and more at the most reasonable prices.

<p>The post Your Keys to Success first appeared on New York Locksmith Networks Inc.</p>

Research for a Good Locksmith Company in Advance

This is the best and easiest thing you can do to avoid a locksmith scam. Don’t wait until it’s an emergency. Look up a legitimate locksmith company in your locality. Proper companies will have active web sites or social media pages. Call them for information and ask them questions regarding their services and pricing. We at New York Locksmith Networks will provide a free service price estimate over the phone! Another safety measure you can take is visiting the advertised address of a locksmith company to confirm their legitimacy.

Ask for Identification

It’s not against the law to be wary and suspicious up front. Before you allow any technician to start work, ask them to show identification. Ideally, the technicians should have certification, an id card and a business card which prove that they really are what they claim to be. Our technical staff always carries valid identification and can be relied upon for any services.

Avoid Suspiciously Low Quotes

We are all familiar with the saying, “If it looks too good to be true, it’s too good to be true”. This applies to locksmith services as well. Lower than normal advertised rates is a classic sign of a fraud company. The rates will automatically increase once the technicians are on site.

Avoid Companies That Insist On Cash Payments

Another sign of a fraudulent locksmith company is that they will insist payment in cash. All legitimate companies nowadays offer various payment methods such as cash, bank checks and credit cards to make it convenient for customers. A company that insists on cash payment is not legitimate. Payment options are also one of the first things you should ask prior to scheduling an appointment.

If you are looking for a trustworthy locksmith company in NYC, contact New York Locksmith Networks today!

<p>The post How to Prevent Fraudulent Locksmiths from Ripping You Off first appeared on New York Locksmith Networks Inc.</p>

Unfortunately, there are no guaranteed ways to prevent your motorbike from getting stolen. Motorcycles don’t offer the security standards that cars do for obvious reasons. If a skilled thief has his heart set on stealing your beloved motorbike, there are no locks, alarm systems or garage doors that can’t be defeated. However, there are a variety of precautions you can take to make the prospect of stealing your bike less appealing for thieves.

Locking Up Your Bike

Many riders lock up their bikes to protect them. However, not all of them do it adequately. The ideal way to lock your bike is to fasten its front and rear wheels to an immovable anchor. Now there are three factors here that determine how secure your bike really is. First is the strength of the lock or chain you are using. Make sure you are using a high quality lock or chain. It would be a pity if your 15k dollar motorbike was stolen because the twenty dollar lock and chain you put on the wheel were compromised. Secondly, the part of your bike which you secure it from is of importance. Securing your bike from the wheels is well and good. But remember, it’s not too difficult to remove the wheels of a bike. If your bike allows it, secure it from the frame. Last but not least is the anchor you secure your bike to. If you are using a 500 dollar titanium chain to fasten your bike, it won’t be able to do much if it’s anchored to a measly chain fence. Make sure the immovable anchor is strong.

Ignition Cut-Out Switch

There are two ways your bike can be stolen. Either thieves will load them into a van or truck, or attempt to hotwire them and just ride away. Ignition cut-out switches can certainly prevent the latter from happening as they stop the engine from starting. Thieves often damage the ignition of a motorbike when they attempt to steal it. You may park your bike somewhere and come back to find a ruined ignition switch.  If this happens anywhere in NYC, you can call upon New York Locksmith Networks. We will come to your location to fix or replace your motorcycle ignition.

New York Locksmith Networks offer mobile emergency locksmith services to anywhere in NYC. Contact us for any issues regarding the lock or key of your home, office or motor vehicle.

<p>The post Tips on Preventing Your Bike Getting Stolen first appeared on New York Locksmith Networks Inc.</p>

If you are heading somewhere, you want to get inside your car as fast as you can and crank the heat up. But what do you do when the locks on your car are frozen shut and you can’t get in?

Moisture can enter the key hole and settle in the nooks and crannies of the locking system. The cold weather freezes the moisture and it prevents the lock mechanism from turning.  New York Locksmith Networks is always ready to help you out with any auto lock or key issues. However, there are a few things you can try yourself to get that frozen car door open.

Check the Doors

There is a chance that your door lock is working fine but it’s the door sills that are frozen. Don’t apply excessive force to pry the doors open. Avoid using tools as well. You will probably end up scratching the paint on your car. Firmly push on the edges of the door with your hands until the ice around the door cracks. Scrape away the ice around the door and open it.

The Lighter Method

Use a lighter or a match to heat your car key. However, be careful that you don’t burn your fingers or any of the plastic parts of the key. Insert the heated key inside the lock. Be gentle and don’t use force to turn the lock. You may end up with a broken lock or a broken key. Only one attempt might not be enough to melt the ice inside the lock. You might have to repeat the procedure a few times.

The Hand Sanitizer Method

This is a tried and tested hack of opening a frozen car lock. Hand sanitizers contain alcohol which can melt the ice. Pour the sanitizer on the car key and insert the key into the lock. Try to get as much sanitizer as you can inside the lock.

Use a Commercial De-Icer

A commercial de-icer can be utilized to melt the ice inside the locking mechanism of your car. Make sure you don’t keep the de-icer inside the car. You don’t want a situation where your car lock is frozen and your de-icer is inside your car.

Tried everything but just can’t get that damn door open? Your car lock might be broken. New York Locksmith Networks provides mobile emergency locksmith services can reach you in no time to fix or replace your car lock!

<p>The post Dealing With Frozen Car Locks first appeared on New York Locksmith Networks Inc.</p>

Well, you don’t need to panic. This situation is not as uncommon as you think. New York Locksmith Networks is always present to help you out with any lock or key problems. However, there are a few methods you can try yourself to extract that broken key from the lock. But it’s important to know that there are a lot of different types of locks and keys, and you may have to try different methods before you succeed.

Lubricate the Lock

First thing you need to do (after finding another bathroom) is find a lubricant for the lock, so it’s easier for the broken key to slide out of the lock. WD-40 spray would be most appropriate and convenient. It is important that the broken part of the key is not pushed even deeper into the lock. That can complicate matters. Also, do not throw away the top half of the broken key. If this is the only key you have, your locksmith will need the broken pieces to make a replica.

Use Pliers or Scissors to Pull Out the Broken Key

You will require an extraction tool, such as thin nosed pliers, to grab and pull the broken key from the key hole. You can also use sharp pointed scissors, but they will not provide the same amount on grip on the broken key as the pliers will.

However, if the broken key is lodged in deep, there won’t be enough key protruding for you to grab on to and pull out. Then you will have to apply a different method.

The Super Glue Method

This method is only to be used as a last resort because it very rarely succeeds and there is a chance you might damage your lock. You can only try this method if a portion of the broken key is clearly visible in the lock.

Apply a drop of glue to the end of your extraction tool. Then, you gently press the glued area to the edge of the broken key protruding from the lock. Be very careful that glue doesn’t get inside the lock!

If that happens, you will definitely need your lock replaced. Wait for the glue to dry up so that your tool and the key have bonded. Now gently pull on the tool and hopefully the broken key will start to come out of the lock.

Broke your key inside the lock? You can try taking out the key yourself, but you’ll probably end up damaging the lock. Just call New York Locksmith Networks! We offer emergency locksmith services and cater to all areas of NYC. We’ll have your key out in no time without damaging your lock!

<p>The post What To Do When The Key Breaks Inside A Lock first appeared on New York Locksmith Networks Inc.</p>