New Hidden Camera Report Exposes Another Locksmith Scam

Colorado is not immune to the legions of fraudulent locksmith companies, employing foreign (often illegal) workers, using the classic "bait and switch" tactics.

These companies have been running rampant across America for the last 3-5 years. The above report is from a few days ago, but clearly shows that these people will stop at nothing to rip you off.

Very few locksmith companies can afford to spend what some of these companies spend on advertising in any given month. Locally, I personally know of 2 similar companies that spend between $10,000 and $15,000 each month to be located across the top of all the search engines in the hope to pick up the unsuspecting consumer in need. $10,000 is a lot of money to spend on advertising and it's no wonder they try to charge as much as possible. They are not locals, they are not even trained in the locksmith trade. They are often foreign nationals on leave after completing their national service (of their home country), are put into private unmarked cars, with tools they do not know how to use.

The locksmith trade, across the country is reeling from the affects of these people. Many long established mom and pop companies are having to wind down operations, retrench staff and cut costs to remain solvent. This is primarily due to the influx of scam operators across the country.

In the 2000 census, there were 26,000 locksmiths known in the USA. In NYC, there are 40,000 advertisements online and in the book, this year. If you look at Google Maps, there are usually 20 or more at just about every intersection.

In Saint Louis, there are about 15 total locksmith shops across the greater metropolitan area and about 20 legitimate (known) mobile operators, yet just looking at the listings online or in the directories, you would think that there are considerably more.

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Lokk Latch Pro - Another Aussie Innovation

An Australian product is making it's mark across the world. The Lokk Latch Pro is a superb constructed product that effectively secures almost any gate on any commercial or residential property.

This product can also be keyed to Bilock Extreme Security products.

Simple effective security at affordable prices.

Door Jamb Armor - Installation difficulty

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Door Jamb Armor is a great product! No doubt. I personally do not sell it. I believe it is advertised as a DIY product, however as the above video shows, it is not so easy. Even the so called experts have trouble.

Wireless Parrot Door Bell

Now this is a product that will tickle the fancy of many a bird lover or others who like unusual and unique gadgets.

The Wireless Parrot Door Bell is something that can provide endless enjoyment and joy to all who visit your front door or entry way.

It will give off bird sounds or up to 6 seconds of pre-recorded sounds, enabling a very unique and different attraction to potential visitors.

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Facial Recogniton Technology tested by US Dept Of Homeland Security

We began selling an imported Facial Recognition device earlier this year and have been testing it for the last few months. It is surprisingly accurate.

Now, a report surfaces that the US Department of Homeland Security recently conducted it's own test of some technology produced by NEC.

In the benchmark test, the 2D technology produced results like 92% accuracy from a criminal database of 1.6 million persons and a 95% accuracy from a database of visa applicants.

NEC says they largely focus on an individual’s eyes, mouth, or nose, while largely ignoring certain other features, for example the eyebrows. The Nikkei (Japan’s leading business daily) tested the technology just recently if it’s able to recognize the face of an NEC researcher through photos that were taken in 1987 and 2010.

NEC now expects the technology to be used for crime investigations or immigration control, for example. (source...)

Our product sells for about $480 and can be used as an interface for access control. You can use it like a time clock/attendance system, control access to secure facilities or specifically to ensure your employees are arriving at work (not getting a work mate to sign them in).

ADT Employs Scare Tactics in Chile

ADT the alarm company, known worldwide as a leading vendor in monitoring services recently employed advertising company DDB in Chile to promote their products to homeowners.

DDB decided to create a cardboard box with the company's advertising slogan printed, to be slipped under prospective customers doors.

The box, folded flat, springs to life after being inserted underneath the front entry door. This is to startle the homeowner into realising that their home is not secure.

Printed on the box, "Breaking into your apartment is easier than you think"

In truth of course, no break ins occurred. But do you consider this good advertising?

Scary, how some peoples minds work!

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In & Out. A New Design For The Push/Pull Handle

Jeon Hwan Soo, a student at SADI (Samsung Art & Design Institute) recently designed an innovative adaption to the panic exit device seen widely throughout the world.

Current panic exit device hardware, produced by varying manufacturers, conforms to an industry accepted design that is over 40 years old.

This new concept, allows a user to immediately know how to operate the hardware. It is simple, yet functional and reasonably easy on the eyes.

The simplicity of this design, allows for installation into a wide variety of door styles including narrow stile door frames and regular stile frames.

Installation is to the body of the door, allowing the door's construction to house all parts.

The construction of the hardware is straightforward, using springs that effectively return the inside and outside operators to original position, efficiently and effectively.

Redesigning the age old panic exit hardware is a challenge that many designers are constantly investigating to enable all people an easier experience to operate.

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The Lockwood 001 Classic

I trained initially as a locksmith in Australia. I completed a four year apprenticeship in gruelling conditions, apprenticed in 3 different companies over the course of four years.

When I began in 1983, the most common lock found on people's doors was the common nightlatch. Key operated on the outside with a turnbutton inside.

Not terribly secure but very efficient in operation. Lockwood Australia, owned at the time by Ogden Industries, had begun to change the face of the residential door market with the introduction of the Lockwood 001 deadlatch.

Significant improvements over the last 30 years have seen this product evolve and continue to be the most sought after physical door security product in the southern hemisphere.

The current version is designed to comply with the international building code's escape laws. Using an upgraded mechanism that enables the interior knob to be unlocked with the outside keyhole and for the inside knob to display it's locked or unlocked condition with a visible notification. The lock still provides for double cylinder protection. It installs to the door rim mounted (surface mounted). Is held on with 6 screws to the door. The strike plate is also surface mounted held on with 6 long screws that actually prevent door frame casing failure.

This product is still the leading deadlock on the market in the southern hemisphere and has proven itself repeatedly as the best of brands for it's function, design, and ease of use.

Now if we just convince northern hemispherians to use the product, perhaps the crime rate here would decrease.

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