Prank Calls - Anyone Running a Business Ever Get Any?

by **Rulenumber3** » 16 Feb 2006 1:46

Well,

Im planning on buying the course at locksmithbiz.com, and Im not sure if they'll mention this or not, but is there any way to protect against some punk kid calling you at 3 am and having you drive out to the middle of nowhere to unlock a car, and then finding it was nothing more than a prank? Anyone ever have this or something similar happen to them?

by **Omikron** » 16 Feb 2006 1:50

Honestly, I can't imagine this really happening. That prank just doesn't have any really redeeming qualities for the prankster. It's not really all that funny, and it would take too long to execute. Prankers have better pranks to do. :-P

by **Jason13** » 16 Feb 2006 2:03

Anyway dont locksmiths gotta see to the caller first?

by **vector40** » 16 Feb 2006 5:13

Some folks collect certain information before arriving that helps make sure the caller's not going to disappear on them, identifying features like full name and the like.

by **Varjeal** » 16 Feb 2006 11:38

In this day and age, its not that hard to verify identity. Here are some tips:

1. Ask for a name and contact information.
2. Ask for a valid credit card number, or driver's license #.
3. Call the # back and verify the information you just gained.
4. Check the address they give you against a map to make sure that its a valid one.
5. Trust your instincts.

by **acl** » 16 Feb 2006 17:24

I had one this afternoon.arrived to let a guy into his flat ,nobody outside but saw someone look out from upstairs flat,heard a great roar of laughter.There was also a cab waiting outside for a "pick up".
I must admit i was too trusting and didnt take enough detail,i was in a hurry and he seemed to be also. This is by no means a regular thing though think that was only the second ive been caught out on. It wasnt far so not too much of a inconvenience. I wonder if the flat above will call me in a few months when their lock is superglued?!

by **Omikron** » 17 Feb 2006 0:30

acl wrote:I wonder if the flat above will call me in a few months when their lock is superglued?!

Superglue really isn't the worst thing you can do. A good few doses of acetone will clear it up well enough for it to operate temporarily. There are things in this world, that are worse than superglue... ;-)

by **Raccoon** » 17 Feb 2006 4:02

I've given my number out all around town, and will be listed in the yellow pages come April. This is a small college town in the middle of the desert; 25% of the population are students living here for 4 years from other cities or states. In any event, I haven't gotten any such pranks just yet, but I'll definitely mention it if I do.

by **horsefeathers** » 17 Feb 2006 18:11

Omikron wrote:
acl wrote:I wonder if the flat above will call me in a few months when their lock is superglued?!

Superglue really isn't the worst thing you can do. A good few doses of acetone will clear it up well enough for it to operate temporarily. There are things in this world, that are worse than superglue...

For UK peoples -- where in the UK can average Joe buy acetone? I have never looked for it so have never noticed it, but I hardly think it will be on the shelves at B&Q!! Is it not restricted? It is used alot in the boat building industry and it is lethal stuff. Dissolves diamonds.. :lol:

by **Shrub** » 17 Feb 2006 18:15

Disolves dimounds? are you sure? ive had it on my hands, it isnt the best of things but im sure its not that bad.

Your local chemist should have it or most car paint suppliers (proper ones not places like halfords)

by **Keyring** » 17 Feb 2006 18:23

Nail Polish Remover?

by **jimb** » 17 Feb 2006 19:41

[quote="horsefeathersDissolves diamonds.. :lol:

[/quote]

I have used this stuff for 29 years on rags without gloves. Hope it's not that bad. I have seen it melt plastic and Styrofoam cups.

Can't speak for your area but in the US it can be bought at any paint store including the paint department at a local Walmart.

by **SteveW** » 17 Feb 2006 19:48

This is a very good question. I pulled an old Invincible out of a door a few weeks back that had been squirted full of No More Nails. Luckily it was unlocked so it was a simple replacment job, but i realise now that if it had been locked i would have been in a 'sticky situation' :lol:

So what is the best way to sort out these sticky problems, is there a ''one unsticks all' solution or different solvents nessasary for diferent sticky's.

So lets see if u get stuck on this one :lol:

(Sorry no calls tonight, im just bored. So sorry for the bad puns :oops:

)

by **vector40** » 17 Feb 2006 19:54

Acetone is basically just the stuff in (most) nail polish remover, and though toxic is not exactly uranium.

It's often prescribed for removing super glue. High heat is another option. But I don't think there's anything that'll remove just anything; there's too many different formulae of adhesive out there.

by **SteveW** » 17 Feb 2006 20:19

I knew it wouldnt be that simple...

So Acetone is good stuff to have on the van. When the good lady goes to bed i will have a rumidge through her makeup stuff and conduct a few experiments. :wink:

As for high heat, i could see this being a problem on many doors, burns, melted plastic, etc. so i suspect the Acetone would be better. High heat would be ok after the lock had been removed though.

The other aspect of this is how to deliver the solvent into the lock. The mortice lock i pulled was so full of gunk that even the levers were stuck together :!:

Prank Calls - Anyone Running a Business Ever Get Any?

Prank Calls - Anyone Running a Business Ever Get Any?

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