The Locksmith
On this weeks show we had Mark from A Marks Lock and Key join us in the studio for another episode of The Locksmith Show. We first discussed an issue with old disconnected phone numbers from legit local locksmith companies on the AT&T network . If a company decides to change its number or disconnect a number that is no longer being used AT&T is playing a recording letting customers know that the phone number to that business is no longer valid and then refers them to other business in the area. In the recorded call that Charley made you can hear them referring customers to potential scammers. We also discussed a few other websites we know are misleading consumers in to thinking they are legit local locksmith companies when in fact they are not. Mark shared some of his history as a Phoenix Locksmith. His family has been involved in the locksmith industry since around the 70's. He has been a locksmith in the valley for over 30 years. He has owned physical shop locations and is now strictly a mobile service. We talked a little about Charley and Andrews experiences with physical shop locations as well as experiences with employees. We talked a little bit about the struggles of working with herculite doors. These are doors primarily found on commercial properties. Although these doors can be challenging to service an experienced locksmith should be able to handle them. There was also some talk about methods for securing holiday decorations. Although most people don't think about securing their holiday decorations it is something worth thinking about. Charley had some pretty unique ideas on how to handle bad drivers which hit a nerve with Ryan and offered to hand his paintball gear over to Charley to implement his idea. Andrew had some constructive criticism for Ryan and his driving habits in the work van. Andrew tried to explain what drifting is to Charley. We brought up some products that might be good for customers to install on their home. One common security flaw on most homes is the sliding glass door. We discussed some different types of locks available to the consumer to help secure their sliding glass doors. We brought up different methods and hardware used for mounting locks. Ryan asked the guys about the difference in the build quality between older locks and newer locks. This weeks show covered a lot of different information that is great for the consumer.
AT&T and EXTORTION?
This week I've been researching the website that Andrew discovered just before last week's show and I ended up making an unusual discovery.
In Southern California I found a listing and a phone number for "METRO LOCK" that had an address identical to an ALOA member.
I dialed the number on the listing and heard a recording: "Press 1 to be connected to another locksmith as the number you have dialed is not in service..."
I pressed "1" and was immediately connected with the call center for one of the scammers. That exact scenario happened on 2-3 phone calls.
On another call I made the recording said "At no additional charge AT&T can help you find a similar business in the same area since the number you called is not in service please stay on the line for alternate businesses or for an additional charge you can call directory assistance...
There are 4 listings in your area...
1-locksmith in your area
2-a local locksmith
3-24/7 Locksmiths LLC
4-your local locksmith"
I was able to find a phone number for the ALOA member who told me "I called AT&T to disconnect the number and the AT&T rep said 'we want you to pay us to refer calls to your other number, otherwise we will forward the calls to another locksmith'"
Now I'm not a lawyer, but it seems to me "Pay me for protection or something bad will happen to your business..." sounds like extortion to me.
The way I have always understood things, a disconnected number, by law or rule or something, was to remain unused for 6 months or a year before being re-issued to anyone. I'm not sure what is going on with this but it doesn't seem good...
The website Andrew and I was talking about last week.... If this pops up on your cell phone, the green box causes the calls to go to the scammer's call center instead of Andrew or Charley, or whoever you've searched for...
From ALOA's weekly newsletter:
| SensorSphere gets the home security ball rolling |     |
Gizmag
Home security devices like the Canary, Sentri and Angee provide useful two-way audio and video links to a room in your home. That's great unless the elephant is in another room. The SensorSphere has similar functionality, but can roll around your home and be controlled remotely. SensorSphere says its ball is designed to help users protect their home without having to shell out on multiple security cameras or devices. Despite its unique proposition, the firm says the ball will be still be affordable when compared to similar products, although pricing has yet to be released. READ MORE
| Lark-Wi launches Blueguard-E smart lock solution | |
Electronic House
There are a lot of smart lock options out there. It's definitely an easy security solution, but it's not always an affordable one. A company named Lark-Wi is hoping to change that, by introducing the Blueguard-E. This upcoming smart lock uses Bluetooth to pair up with your favorite iOS and Android devices, so you can enter the house without keys. READ MORE
| . | PRODUCT SHOWCASE |
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| 2 Women caught on camera stealing holiday decorations in New York | |
WCBS-TV
Grinches were at work on Long Island stealing holiday décor from front lawns recently, but cameras were rolling. As was recently reported by the media, police had images of a pair of female thieves. The offenders struck in the dark, but the clear-as-day surveillance video caught them dashing up to a decked out holiday display on a Massapequa, New York, lawn. "Two girls came along and decided that they wanted it," said victim Jean Aiello. READ MORE
| Inside the canary: The security camera designed to live with you | |
Forbes
Building a security camera comes with a serious design challenge: Since these things are always watching us, their makers better be darn sure we feel comfortable having them around. Which is why I was so interested in talking to the team behind Canary: An Internet-enabled security camera that has designs on living in your home with you — and even aims to be a sort of hub for the smart home (it hooks up with the Wink smarthome platform, and contains other abilities, such as air quality detection). READ MORE
| . | PRODUCT SHOWCASE |
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| 7 marketing trends that will dominate 2016 | |
By Mayur Kisani 
The online marketing field is a constantly changing and complex industry. Relevance and context are crucial aspects to stay in the game, as marketing constantly adjusts and reacts to changes in technology and attitudes. Companies and brands need to look beyond the usual channels to stay ahead of the pack, rather than just jump on the bandwagon. So here are a few trends that will change the face of marketing and give you a look at what marketers should be leveraging in 2016. READ MORE
| Lessons in termination: Being proactive | |
By Catherine Iste 
Welcome to the time of year when it becomes ever so clear who you wished no longer worked here. In Part 1 of our series on terminations, we learned from the ghosts of the past. In the second article, we learned to take advantage of the present. In our third article, we will discuss the future. With the budgeting process wrapped up and the strategic plan disseminated, you are ready for 2016. You can practically taste the increase in efficiency and revenue that await. READ MORE
| How to perform a year-end social media audit | |
By Emma Fitzpatrick 
The end of the year is quickly approaching. As you're striving to reach your sales goals for the holiday season, be sure to plan for 2016 as well. After all, you want to enter 2016 knowing you've got the best marketing plan to grow your business. You should even be able to prove why your plan will work using your company's data. Before 2015 ends, perform a social media audit. A review of your social media details the most important statistics to illustrate how your plan is performing. READ MORE
Stuff left over from last week....
http://wate.com/2015/12/04/doorbell-camera-security-system-helps-catch-suspected-knoxville-burglar/
Keeping Hackers Away from Your Car, Fridge and Front Door
Augusta parents sound alarm over school security
Review: Master Lock Bluetooth smart padlock
Review: Canary security camera learns your habits as it keeps watch
Security flaw: Top selling line of safes vulnerable to thieves
Thanks for looking and if you need a locksmith please feel free to call either of us anytime!
I Posted 8/14/2015 - Channel 3 on Your Side
Ami Hanan / First 24/7 / 24/7 Locksmith / Precision Local Locksmith is at it again...
This time raising a 17yr old Skye Johnson's simple car lockout from $55 to a whopping $289.00!I challenge the AZ Attorney General's office to tell the public why they insist on doing nothing!
Now Kristen's post says "3 days ago". I got the e-mail from YouTube on 11/20 @ 10:18AM so that seems about right...
I really want someone to do an undercover sting operation on this guy. Hello MESA PD? PHOENIX PD? TEMPE PD? A.G. BRNOVICH? Why can this same guy trick people over and over, causing financial CHAOS in their lives while no one other than media people look out for them?
UPDATE: 12/13/15 I've reached out to Kristen - no response yet.
Skye Johnson has not replied yet either.
I have been telling y'all for months now to look out for advertisements with unrealistically low service call prices. Just think about it a minute. The price of a vehicle, the price of gas, the hourly rate of an employee (or just yourself)... if it takes them 30 minutes to get to you, it is an hour round trip for them...
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. Disclaimer: THE LOCKSMITH CHARLEY SHOW is a private production of Charles Eastwood and the views of Mr. Eastwood and his guests are his own and do not necessarily represent the views of INDEPENDENT TALK RADIO 11OOKFNX, the station's owners, managers, or crew or, the national association that he is a member and Southwest Director of: ALOA Security Professionals Association, Inc.
ALOA-SPAI President Tom Foxwell may join us one of these nights or he may call in, but for now he's sent me this e-mail.
ALOA's official positions that I am allowed to restate are as follows: 
All comments made on the Locksmith Charley Show are those of the person making the comments and not necessarily representative of ALOA-SPAI or KFNX's owners or managers.