How a Simple Car Lockout Turned into a $325 Nightmare
Imagine this: You’ve locked your keys in your car. Frustrated but hopeful, you do what anyone would—pull out your phone and search for a locksmith. The first company you call quotes a reasonable $25 service fee, and within minutes, a technician is on the way.
But when they arrive, everything changes. That $25 estimate balloons to $325, and suddenly, you’re trapped—pay up or stay locked out.
This isn’t a rare scam. It’s a widespread scheme that preys on unsuspecting consumers in their most vulnerable moments. But in one shocking case, it led to something even worse: a tragic loss of life.
The Bait-and-Switch Scam That Caught a Teenager Off Guard
For Evan Thomas, a teenager working at a transmission shop, the need for a locksmith came as a simple accident. He had been entrusted with the company truck for a delivery when he mistakenly locked the keys inside. Panicked, he called GA Lock and Key, the first locksmith service he found online.
They promised to arrive quickly and quoted a $25 service fee. But when the locksmith showed up, the price had mysteriously skyrocketed to $325.
How does this happen? It’s a calculated scam.
- The lowball phone quote gets you to commit.
- Once on-site, the technician uses vague language and rapid speech to avoid confirming a final price.
- After unlocking the car, they present an outrageous bill, often pressuring customers to pay on the spot.
Many feel powerless to resist. Some give in, paying far more than expected. Others—like Garrett Anderson—try to escape the trap, sometimes with devastating consequences.
When a Locksmith Scam Turned Deadly
On May 25, 2014, 23-year-old Garrett Anderson found himself in the same situation. He locked his keys in his car at a Walmart in Marietta, Georgia, and called GA Lock and Key. When the locksmith arrived, they doubled the quoted price, demanding an unreasonable sum.
Anderson, unable to pay, left the scene to withdraw cash. But the locksmith—Tansu Kanlica—decided not to wait. Instead, he chased Anderson’s car at high speeds down Barrett Lakes Boulevard, leading to a horrific crash.
Three teenage girls, Reina As-Salaam, Juliana Ferrell, and Monica Epps, were walking along the sidewalk when Kanlica lost control. The impact was catastrophic:
- 15-year-old Reina died at the scene.
- 16-year-old Juliana was critically injured and passed away 5 days later.
- 16-year-old Monica survived but was permanently injured.
At the plea hearing for Kanlica, former Cobb County ADA Jason Samuels plainly stated the facts of the horrific hit-and-run:
[Kanlica] struck the victims and left the scene... He failed to summon aid, he failed to identify himself, he failed to perform any of the acts required by Georgia law and basic human decency.
What started as a simple car lockout turned into an unspeakable tragedy.
Who Was Behind the Scam?
The mastermind behind GA Lock and Key was Yagel Amram, a man linked to dozens of similar locksmith operations across the country. His businesses routinely lured in customers with misleading pricing before ambushing them with excessive fees.
When confronted by investigators, Amram refused to answer questions. Even as his company was fined $322,000 for deceptive business practices, he continued to operate under different names, ensuring that the scam lived on.
This raises an urgent question: How many more people need to be scammed—or worse—before authorities take serious action?
How to Protect Yourself from Locksmith Scams
Locksmith scams are alarmingly common, but you don’t have to fall victim. Here’s how to stay safe:
- Ask for a total price upfront. A legitimate locksmith can provide an exact quote over the phone for basic services like unlocking a car.
- Be wary of too-good-to-be-true prices. Scammers use low quotes to lure you in before jacking up the price later.
- Verify the company’s location and reviews. Search for a physical address and check consumer ratings.
- Don’t let the locksmith start work without confirming the price. If they refuse to give a final price, send them away.
If you or someone you know has been a victim of a locksmith scam, report it to your state’s Attorney General’s office and share your experience with consumer protection organizations like TrustDALE.
Turning Tragedy into a Legacy
While nothing can undo the pain suffered by the families of Reina and Juliana , their parents have chosen to honor their daughters’ memories by establishing the Reigning Hope Foundation for college-bound seniors. Their goal? To turn grief into action, ensuring that their loss brings opportunity to others.
But the bigger question remains: How many more families must suffer before authorities shut down these operations for good?
At TrustDALE, we’re committed to exposing deceptive business practices and fighting for consumer justice. If you or someone you love has been impacted by a similar scam, share your story. Because when consumers speak out, real change happens.