x-sender: governor.haley@sc.lmhostediq.com x-receiver: governor.haley@sc.lmhostediq.com Received: from mail pickup service by sc.lmhostediq.com with Microsoft SMTPSVC; Thu, 4 Feb 2016 20:11:29 -0500 thread-index: AdFfsiTHnh6RnVtpSgSQzv0/RcuViA== Thread-Topic: Locksmith scams and fraud, need help PLEASE! From: To: Subject: Locksmith scams and fraud, need help PLEASE! Date: Thu, 4 Feb 2016 20:11:29 -0500 Message-ID: <11009FF338AB44D383240D0B4D4673F4@IQ12> MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit X-Mailer: Microsoft CDO for Windows 2000 Content-Class: urn:content-classes:message Importance: normal Priority: normal X-MimeOLE: Produced By Microsoft MimeOLE V6.1.7601.17609 X-OriginalArrivalTime: 05 Feb 2016 01:11:29.0838 (UTC) FILETIME=[24E6D4E0:01D15FB2] CUSTOM Mr George Lee Rice Owner Lock Monkeys 319 Swamp Fox Dr Fort Mill SC 29715 lockmonkeyfm@gmail.com 8036366337 8036366337 ECON Locksmith scams and fraud, need help PLEASE! 64.53.11.199 I have listed this under the economy b/c I believe it directly relates to our economy the most. I am a locksmith in Fort Mill SC. and own my business. I do well enough as a locksmith and really am blessed by my customers and the local support I get. I also try and bring awareness of illegal locksmiths and scammers in the area and across the Carolina's by means of local meetings and crime watch groups. It is becoming a huge problem and also may have become a avenue for illegal locksmiths from the middle east to come over under cover and fund the terrorist groups abroad. I talk to people and deal with people every day that have been taken advantage of by locksmith scammers and their bait and switch tactics. My question is this, why has South Carolina not become a licensed state for locksmiths? It does not stop scammers, but it helps slow them and gets rid of the locksmiths with criminal records. The background check alone will eliminate over half the scammers in the state. Not to mention bring in revenue for the state by means of yearly fees. I am licensed with the NCLA and would be in SC if it was a requirement. If you did a search for Fort Mill Locksmith, you would find 932 listings in Fort Mill Fort Mill is not that big... LOL. Though we can not stop all scams, wouldn't it be great to at least put a hurting on them ( the scammers ) and help the local true and legal locksmiths in generating a little pay back in our pockets. These scammers are hurting not only local business, but our local residents, especially our seniors. I am a member with the NLA, NCLA and ALOA. And continue to do my best as a proud U.S small businessmen... but, so often I wonder if the American dream is more for illegals, frauds and scammers from out of country, than those like me. So, I do ask for help in this matter of scammers and frauds in the locksmith industry. My website www.lockmonkeys.com has a few blogs on the matter and info from the NY Times and ALOA investigations on exposing these frauds from the Middle East who take advantage of our people and just don't care how much they take or charge. I am not writing to you b/c of competition by these frauds, or trying to put anyone out of business. As I stated earlier, I do well enough and make a living, I just think that if I and the other legal, honest locksmiths in the area I know treat people and charge people accordingly and fairly... why shouldn't they. If I was to be caught scamming by ALOA or the NCLA I would loose my license and memberships. So please consider putting something forth that would make SC a locksmith license state and monitor the locksmiths as they should be. True locksmithing is a art form and is a honorable one. It is being tainted by the illegal, fraudulent, dishonest and hateful people who pose as a locksmith. Thank You For Your Time, George Rice Lockmonkeys 803-636-6337