When you’re standing outside a locked car, or you’ve just realized your only key is gone, it’s tempting to call the first number that comes up. Most of the time that works out. But every so often people end up with a damaged car, a price that doubles once the work starts, or someone they can’t find again if something goes wrong.
The simplest way to protect yourself is to check one thing before anyone touches your car: are they licensed?
Locksmiths Need a License in California
In California, locksmiths have to be licensed by the Bureau of Security and Investigative Services (BSIS). A license means the business is registered with the state and accountable for how it works.
Hub Key Services LLC holds California locksmith license LCO-8291 and is insured. You can look it up yourself in about a minute on the state’s license search at search.dca.ca.gov. Details and all our verification links are on our licensing and credentials page.
Warning Signs to Watch For
These don’t always mean a scam, but they’re worth noticing:
- A very low advertised price that has nothing to do with your car. Real prices depend on the year, make and model and the key type.
- No clear business name when they answer the phone, just “locksmith.”
- No price before they drive out, or a price that suddenly changes once they arrive.
- An unmarked car and no ID or license number when asked.
- Going straight to drilling or breaking something on a simple lockout.
- Not asking for your ID. A real locksmith checks the car is yours before opening it or making a key.
What a Licensed Locksmith Should Do
- Tell you who they are and give you a license number if you ask.
- Give you a price on the phone based on your car’s details.
- Give you an honest arrival time. We tell you when we can get there. Most calls are reached in 20 to 30 minutes, depending on traffic.
- Check your ID and the registration or title.
- Open or fix the car without damage, and test everything before they leave.
- Stand behind the work. Our labor has a 60-day workmanship warranty.
Why We Only Do Cars
Hub Key Services is a mobile automotive locksmith based in Fremont. We don’t do houses or offices. The van is set up only for vehicles: a key cutting machine, programming tools for chip keys, smart keys and remotes, and stock of key blanks and fobs. That focus is what lets us cut and program a new key at your car instead of sending you to a dealer.
Every job is done by Adam, the owner and licensed technician, never passed to a subcontractor. The person who quotes you on the phone is the person who shows up. Meet the technician.
More Than a License
Beyond the state license, Hub Key Services is a Keyless2Go certified locksmith, verified by 1-800-Unlocks, listed by Fair Trade Locksmiths and an approved U-Haul vendor. The links are on our licensing and credentials page, and you can read what customers say in our Google reviews.
Licensed Locksmith FAQs
How do I check a locksmith’s license in California?
Use the state’s license search at search.dca.ca.gov and search for the business name or license number. Ours is LCO-8291.
Why does the locksmith ask for my ID?
To make sure the car is yours. It stops someone from using a locksmith to get into a car that isn’t theirs.
Do you give a price before coming out?
Yes. Tell us the year, make and model and what happened, and you get the price on the phone first.
Related: check our license, meet the technician and our car lockout service.
About the author
Adam owns and runs Hub Key Services, a licensed mobile automotive locksmith in Fremont, CA (California license LCO-8291). Meet the technician.