Locks and Security News: your weekly locks and security industry newsletter
17th April 2024 Issue no. 701
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Locksmith firm ordered out
A judge has ordered a locksmith company out of Tennessee and ordered it to pay a hefty fine for repeatedly breaking the law after NewsChannel 5 Investigates exposed its questionable business practices.
"Dependable Locks did business in Tennessee with complete disregard for the Tennessee laws governing locksmiths," said State attorney Laura Betty to the judge.
It was reported that no one from the locksmith company showed up for the hearing to answer the charges.
Dependable Locks quoted one price for services and then tried to charge customers significantly more.
The state also said neither Dependable Locks nor its employees are registered as licensed locksmiths with the state. Other violations included locksmiths driving unmarked cars and employees failing to carry any sort of company identification or license.
Judge Steve Darnell presided over the hearing. "It appears that Dependable Locks is engaging not just in Tennessee but across the nation a series of fraudulent acts, and I believe the maximum fine of $5,000 per violation is appropriate," said Darnell.
With 15 violations, the judge fined Dependable Locks $75,000 and ordered the company to stop doing business in Tennessee.
In November, the two owners of Dependable Locks were arrested at the Florida headquarters of the company by federal agents. The two are awaiting trial on money laundering, wire and mail fraud charges. They're also accused of instructing employees to overcharge and deceive customers.
5th June 2010