Notes from the Trenches (Ask the Locksmith Blog!)

Another epic Medeco(r) "fail"

2008-08-08T14:47:00.000-07:00

From Wired.com and the 2008 DefCon Conference in Las Vegas: LAS VEGAS -- Life takes Visa, says the credit card company's catchy and ubiquitous TV ads. And now, according to a group of security...

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Failed Ford Focus Ignition Replacement Service

2008-03-10T14:07:00.000-07:00

Ford Focus Ignition Problems (Welcome all Ford Focus Forum Folks!) Failed Ford Focus Ignition Replacement Service *** Be Proactive & Save $$$ *** Call or e-mail us when it starts to stick,...

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ATL: Ford Focus Ignition Problem!

2008-03-06T12:46:00.000-08:00

Ask The Locksmith Question: The key won't turn in my 2000 Focus SE wagon's ignition switch. The ignition switch collapsed 3 years ago and was replaced. The key will pull out but not turn. After...

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ATL: How do I keep my teenagers out of my bedroom?

2007-12-31T15:41:00.000-08:00

Ask The Locksmith Question: I have double doors leading into my bedroom. I need to keep our teenagers out when we are not home. I installed a keyed interior lock but all you need is something slim to...

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A timely repost - Locked out? What now...?

2007-12-06T20:50:00.000-08:00

I thought it time for a repost, with an added addendum - An article that directly applies to why we are as strict as we are. In addition, in this holiday season, with out-of-town visitors having keys...

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Buying Medeco(r) because they're "bump proof"? Think again...

2007-11-16T14:36:00.000-08:00

No real commentary today, just the following. I mean, really, what's to say? Hope they drop that "bump proof" claim soon tho'... Medeco® Biaxial - Bump by 12 year old (Related...

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BBB Warns Consumers of Nationwide Locksmith Swindle

2007-07-13T15:14:00.000-07:00

What can I say? These guys are everywhere. The ones I highlight prominently on the Locksmith Scams page as practicing illegally in San Diego are the same people / companies mentioned in this...

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Did Alice feel like this when she was stepping through the Looking Glass?

2007-07-12T17:35:00.000-07:00

An actual conversation I just had: Customer: Do you do mobile locks? me: Excuse me? Customer: Do you do mobile locks? me: Well, we're a mobile locksmith company... (?) Customer:...

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$8870 to rekey 40 doors???

2007-07-12T09:49:00.000-07:00

Muscatine Journal Wapello school to get new locks By Jim Rudisill Muscatine Journal Correspondent WAPELLO, Iowa - It's been at least 16 years since teachers and staff at the Wapello Elementary...

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ATL: Do wood doors splinter when being drilled for a Deadbolt?

2007-06-16T10:53:00.000-07:00

Ask The Locksmith Question: We have a new deadbolt lock that needs to be installed in a fine solid wood front door. A hole needs to be drilled for the deadbolt. One locksmith refused to do this...

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ATL: Do I have to be licensed to work as an Institutional Locksmith?

2007-05-10T14:43:00.000-07:00

Ask The Locksmith Question: I work for the (a California) County Superintendent of Schools and do all the lockwork. I am registered. However, I'm not getting recognized for my trade. I'm the only...

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Lock Bumping now "Lock Panic"?

2007-03-09T12:48:00.000-08:00

The following article is, without a doubt, the best researched, evenly written, calmest, balanced, and honest article I've seen on lock bumping yet. I'm working on permission to post it here in its...

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Not even remotely about locksmithing... :)

2007-02-27T17:15:00.000-08:00

Not intended to turn into a commentary about religion... Just a cool "girlyfan" type of experience (Yes, I have my "girly" moments). Meant for those folks of a certain age group who may have fond...

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Lock Bumping, a nicely balanced report or two...

2007-02-14T13:07:00.000-08:00

I'm finally starting to see a few of these more balanced, less panicked reports crop up. Here's a good example from NCB6 in South Florida: "Who's Got Your House Key?" While they still get a plug in...

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Lock Bumping! OMG! Should I panic? The news says I should.... Ack!

2007-02-07T15:56:00.000-08:00

Lock Bumping / Bump Keys: A few of the flaws and realities in the rather hysterical information being disseminated by the news media... I'm seeing a flood of news reports on the rather old and worn...

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A random MySpace Blog entry about locksmiths...

2007-01-04T11:57:00.000-08:00

How locksmiths are sometimes perceived: ...Does it seem like a locksmith is one step away from being a criminal? Like learning to be a locksmith would be a great way to learn how to be a crook? ...

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A "Fairytale" Mr. President?

2007-01-01T16:29:00.000-08:00

Remarks of Illinois State Sen. Barack Obama Against Going to War with Iraq | October 02, 2002 at the Federal Plaza, in Chicago, IL (Two weeks before Congress voted to authorize war in...

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I'm locked out of my house/business, now what?

2006-12-13T11:20:00.000-08:00

I'm locked out of my house/business, now what? Time and time again we get calls from understandably desperate folks who've locked themselves out of their homes or businesses, and have no way to...

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ATL: Is it legal in California to carry a slim jim...?

2006-11-24T09:44:00.000-08:00

Ask The Locksmith Question: Is it legal in California to carry a slim jim car lock tool in your car? It's a slippery slope in California as regards locksmithing tools. The short, and completely...

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"Taser no substitute for car keys"... Well, yeah... :-/

2006-11-18T12:17:00.000-08:00

Thought this was a particularly good example of not thinking things through: Charleston Post & Courier Taser no substitute for car keys Saturday, November 18, 2006 A few selected tidbits from the...

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ATL: I think I was ripped off by a locksmith...!

2006-09-23T03:38:00.000-07:00

Ask The Locksmith Question: I requested the service of a locksmith and was charged $254! I was charged $115 just for removing a deadbolt lock. Is this the typical price for this procedure? Hi...

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The Pin Code Panic - Ad Nauseam...

2006-06-21T08:58:00.000-07:00

From a AAA Press release regarding Senate Bill 1542: "We have tried to resolve this issue voluntarily with the car manufacturers, but they have dragged their feet for the past two years as we have...

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Grass Valley, NV Police Blotter... Is it really stealing?

2006-03-24T17:15:00.000-08:00

Police Blotter Grass Valley/Nevada City,CA,USA March 23, 2006 Nevada County Sheriff's Office Tuesday ■ At 5:22 p.m., a caller said a locksmith stole the keys to the...

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ATL: I have to jiggle my Ranger key for it to work, do I need new locks?

2006-03-10T13:48:00.000-08:00

Ask The Locksmith Question: I like your website - good information. I assume you have a locksmith license? :) My 2000 ford ranger is having a problem with the door locks - someone tried to jimmy...

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ATL: How do you use a Slim Jim to open a car?

2006-03-03T21:45:00.000-08:00

Ask The Locksmith Question: Locked my keyes in my car while working on it in the garage. It is a 1988 Eagle Premier made by AMC. Will a slim jim work on this car, and does the opening in the slim jim...

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