Complaint Review: Around the Clock Locksmith 443-534-9604 - Pasadena Maryland

 Yesterday, Horton received 3 criminal charges for his actions from locksmith services he provided to me Feb 2009.  Just google- Channel 2 news maryland=watch the video report.  He is to be sentenced tomorrow, District Court 251 Rowe Blvd, Annapolis, MD 21401 1:15pm Court room 3.  It is my wish that all those who are victims of Around the Clock Locksmith and Joseph Horton, attend the sentencing tomorrow.  Hope to see you there!

You must be kidding!  I am a locksmith and I have NEVER charged that much to open a car.  Not even on a holiday.  As far as the $550 first attempted charge, I don't use the language of what I think of that.

Readers may want to do a search for "scammer locksmiths" and see what is going on.  These scammers steal legitimate locksmith's phone numbers, and sometimes even addresses.  Locations listed in some of their ads have been empty lots, post offices, etc.  When asked, they say that they are a mobile locksmith, (so am I), and give these address as "points of service".  Barnyard fertilizer!  I still list my home address in my ads.  These "local" phone numbers sometimes go across the country somewhere and the people are dispatched from there. 

Ask for a TOTAL cost for opening a car when calling for service.  A regular locksmith should be able to give you a figure.  Unless it is something like a bad battery and you can't use the unlock button to get the door open, and the increase should only be a small one if any at all.  If they try to jack up the price, don't pay it and call the police immediately.

You may be told that your car or house has high security locks on them and they cost more to open.  You may be told that they have to be drilled, and some may, but the charge should not be higher to do so.

Have you been ripped off by this company after 8/2/10? If so, PLEASE contact Ms. Lucy Cardwell of Marylands Attorney General at [email protected]  She NEEDS to hear from YOU!  Let's FINALLY STOP THIS GUY!!

I contacted the Prince Georges Fire Chief and he REFUSED to do anything. He told me to "call the Branchville Volunteer Fire Department". I FAXED him the AG complaint against Joe Horton and our fearless (WORTHLESS) chief told me to "write a letter". I guess criminals in Fire Fighter unforms is just A-O-K in PG County.

What a WORTHLESS, LAZY, CROOKED Government we have.

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Joe Horton, the owner of Around The Clock Locksmiths is also a pretend fireman with the Branchville Volunteer Fire Company in College Park, MD. I have already contacted the boss of this group, James Crisman and told him about what kind of low life criminal he has among his ranks. He really didn't seem to give a s***. How would YOU like to have a fire or be in an accident and allow this clown Horton  to have unsupervised access to your valuables or personal items? He is a THIEF and a CON ARTIST who should have NO business in a position of trust as a volunteer Fireman. Feel free to call them at 301-474-1550. Maybe a complaint to the Prince Georges County Fire Department is in order. Horton is a cockroach and should NOT be allowed to get away with his criminal activity. There are consequences to bad acts and it is time we turned up the heat and SHAME this guy out of town.

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I was vicimized by Joseph M Horton too. I hired Around The Clock to change the locks on my house. He seemed like a nice guy at first until I caught him in the back bedroom trying to have sex with my german shephard Gunther. He 'claimed' he was only petting my dog. If that was true how come his pants were unzipped? How this Bozo stays in business is beyond me.

I am Joe Horton's neighbor at  Milestone Way in College Park. He lives in unit x and I have personally seen him peeking into windows late at night. He was once caught by the security guard sitting in his van next to where some kids were playing MASTURBATING. This guy is not only a crook but a PERVERT TOO! Why do you think he offers to unlock with kids inside for FREE? He likes to look at little boys and fantaize about molesting them. I know a guy who used to work for him who said his van was FULL of gay porn and the seats were always "sticky" from semen  after Joe had driven it. Beware - This guy is SICK and DANGEROUS. Keep your kids AWAY from him.

I hope they close that scam artist down already.

I used to live in Florida, and you have to be so careful before you hire a locksmith.

I had a car that needed a door key made. I asked over the phone how much it would cost and was quoted $175.00, which seemed fair. Remember, I was not just needing a 2 minute slim jim which I could have done myself, I needed the key cylinder to be removed from the door, and a key made.

So this around the clock place trying to get $550.00 just to unlock the door is a massive ripoff of epic abusive proportions. Even the $250.00 they got (claiming it was less), was way too much. You could have had the car towed, and stayed at the Hyatt Regency for less then what they were trying to charge.

I made the job pretty easy for the locksmith by removing the door panel before he arrived. When he was finished he handed me a bill for $350.00. I told him I was quoted $175.00 for the job, and he told me that didn't included the service call charge.

So in other words, when you call them up for a quote, they leave out what the actual total price is going to be with the service charge, and then you are stuck once they complete the job and hand you the bill. Because they know d**n well if they quoted the actual ripoff price, no one would use them.

Scammers, there needs to be some regulation as vehicle lockout situations can potentially be a public safety issue as well.

Around The Clock Locksmith charges fair and reasonable rates for their services. This is a case where a customer is mad at themselves because they had to pay for locksmith services because of their mistake. Around The Clock Locksmith provides a unique service that responds immediately to assist our customers in a time of need.

Just an FYI-

Around The Clock Locksmith didn't unlock any vehicles last night. This is a bogus post!!

I want to thank Michele for not giving up and fighting the good fight.  When I found you on here, I must say I was discouraged at the amount of resources you reached out to without response.  I too had gone through all the same channels and was concerned people were just blowing smoke.  Thank God that article was published in the Gazette and people started to listen.  Joseph preys on the elderly and women but he didn't count on meeting women like you and I.  I would love to talk with you Michele.  Email me if you would at (((ROR redacted))).  I would imagine we will meet in court. 

It is time to FIGHT FIRE with FIRE!

I locked my keys in my car last night at the local mall and called our good friend from Around The Clock to come assist me. He showed up in his 4 wheel crime mobile and just before he opened my door, I found an extra set of keys in my pocket and canceled the unlock service and thanked him for coming out but I no longer needed his services. He came UNGLUED and said I owed him money for the "service call" and I told him that there was NO CONRACT because there was no "Meeting of the minds" in regards to what he would be charging and that he never disclosed that there would be a charge for the response before he offered to come out. He theatened to call the police and I beat him to the punch, whipping out my cell phone and punching in 9-1-1 myself telling him that he was committing the felony of FALSE IMPRISONMENT by blocking me from leaving. I also told him that the cops would LOVE to hear about how he scammed and cheated our military personnel. I told him i hoped all his permits and licenses were in order and that there had better not be any equipment violations on his truck since Im sure the police would impound his truck it it was found to be unsafe.

His room tempature IQ finally kicked in and he drove off, calling me every name in the book.

A few more "dry runs" like this and he might get the hint that he is not welcome in our town.

Well, well Mr. "We Charge A Resonable Rate" Horton you got NAILED! It takes a pretty low snake to get the attention of the Attorney General's Office. It is amazing how you sleep at night scamming and cheating people. I bet you voted for McCain and are a member of the Tea Bagger's Party complaining about all this Government regulation that is hindering your business (illegal operation). You need to be in JAIL.

Attorney General Gansler Issues Cease and Desist Against Maryland Locksmith Company
Around the Clock Locksmith Allegedly Overcharged Consumers

BALTIMORE, MD ( April 7, 2010) - Attorney General Douglas F. Gansler announced today that his Consumer Protection Division has issued a Cease and Desist Order against a Maryland locksmith, ATCL-MD, Inc., T/A Around the Clock Locksmith and its owner Joseph M. Horton. The Consumer Protection Division has charged Around the Clock Locksmith and Horton with billing consumers exorbitant fees, such as more than $4,300 to replace a lock and deadbolt, and fees as high as $1,400 simply to respond to a consumers request for locksmith services. According to the Divisions Statement of Charges, Around the Clock Locksmith refuses to give consumers an estimate of its fees or provides extremely low estimates. When consumers balked at paying the undisclosed fees, the company allegedly charged the consumers credit card without prior authorization.

In addition to overcharging consumers, Around The Clock Locksmith and the companys owner, Joseph Horton, are accused of falsely using a competitors name to steal the competitors customers and misrepresenting that the company is a member in good standing with the Better Business Bureau. The Consumer Protection Division ordered the company and Horton to immediately cease and desist from engaging in these and other unfair or deceptive trade practices. A hearing is scheduled for June 28, 2010, after which the Division will determine the amount of any restitution, penalties and costs that Around the Clock Locksmith and its owner must pay.

You cant provide a low estimate to get your foot in the door and then charge multiples of that estimate to perform the service, said Attorney General Gansler. The Order requires the company to provide realistic estimates and to stick by them.

Consumers should always ask for price estimates before requesting any service and be wary of companies that will not provide estimates. Consumers may contact the Consumer Protection Division to find out if there have been complaints filed against a business by other consumers. For more information, consumers may call the Consumer Protection hotline at (410) 528-8662 or 1 (888) 743-0023 toll-free.

Around The Clock Locksmith charges fair and reasonable rates for their services. This is a case where a customer is mad at themselves because they had to pay for locksmith services because of their mistake. Around The Clock Locksmith provides a unique service that responds immediately to assist our customers in a time of need.

I cannot tell you how happy I am today to Read "Attorney General Issues Cease and Desist Against Maryland Locksmith" Around the Clock.  That's you Joe.  In case you haven't seen the articles, look in the Sun paper from yesterday and today.  Looks like its finally time for you to be accountable to the citizens you've ripped off.  I was getting gas at Safeway yesterday and saw your van at the store on the corner that does taxes, I guess your getting things in order, huh?

Around The Clock Locksmith charges fair and reasonable rates for their services. This is a case where a customer is mad at themselves because they had to pay for locksmith services because of their mistake. Around The Clock Locksmith provides a unique service that responds immediately to assist our customers in a time of need.

So fair and reasonable that he stole from "real" men that serve our country.  Stay tuned because there are many more you will answer to soon.

Around The Clock Locksmith charges fair and reasonable rates for their services. This is a case where a customer is mad at themselves because they had to pay for locksmith services because of their mistake. Around The Clock Locksmith provides a unique service that responds immediately to assist our customers in a time of need.

Joe keep repeating yourself and maybe you will start to believe your lies.  Again, I refuse to even address your lies.  Michele and I are not alone, others are coming forward.  You didn't count on the article in the Gazette getting you this publicity. You are a scam artist.  Yes, Irvine, between myself, husband and two grown children, I have needed Pop A Lock "several" times over the past 10 years.  If I didn't, there wouldn't be a need for their service, so apparently, I'm not alone.  Regardless, Pop A Lock has always provided great, quick service with a charge of $60 - $80 and that's why I chose their service. Thanks for the AAA tip.  I've used Pop A Lock 5 times in the past 10 years at a for less than $350.  This scam artist wanted to charge me $375 for the service call alone.  I called him at 2:30pm and he shows up after 5pm so that he can charge after hour rates, just another part of his scam. 

Around The Clock Locksmith provides quality locksmiths services at fair and reasonable rates. $195.00 to respond immediately and unlock a vehicle is a fair price. GE charge $275.00 just to ring your door bell. I believe that most people would agree.

If you have had to use a locksmith "several times" over the last 10 years.  Perhaps you need to seriously look into getting an Auto Club Membership(you know the one with the 3 letters at the beginning of the alphabet or similar company).

Because for about $60 a year, they provide that same service and it does not matter if it is after hours or not.  In fact unless it is an extreamly busy day I would not even think you would have had to wait the 3 hours. 

Just in this case even at the $100 you were expecting you would still be about $40 ahead.  Since they generally allow you multiple calls per year you would only be more ahead if this ever came up again, and in your case it sounds like it might.

Another side thing is that while I am not defending this company.  A lot has changed in 10 years.  So if you are comparing the price today with what you payed even a few years ago, that may be no longer a valid comparison.

Joe I promised you when you scammed me that I would cost you more than you stole from me, and judging by these responses it appears I've already accomplished that with your attorney's fee.  But, more than that, I want women and the elderly to know that you are out there and you will take from them.  I'm not even go to argue your lies.  Your dirty business practice is falling down around you and the proof will be in the pudding.  I will be happy when everyone you've hurt comes forward and you go to jail for what you've done.  Your obviously getting very nervous with the recent Maryland Gazette article "Army Bans Use of Pasadena Locksmith, and my complaint, because before now you've never responded to any of the truth posted about you on the internet including Michele.  I believe your attempt to clean up your mess is a little to late and soon you may have to earn an honest living.

You tried to collect $550.00 to unlock a car door! When you were not able to collect her credit card, you collected $250.00 cash for your service and you still try to lie with the statement that you collected only $195.00? You take advantage of people in vulnerable situations, how do you sleep at night?

You have a POP-A-LOCK Mountain Rd, Pasadena, MD listing on the internet! Can you not read? POP-A-LOCK was who she thought she was calling, due to your FALSE listing! You are such a snake!

This guy's My Space page reads like a "want to be COP!"

His My Space page: "I'm The Only John Wayne in this Town".

Ha, Ha! You are not MAN ENOUGH to EVER be a REAL Police Officer. You prey on people in vulnerable situations and break the law!

I am a new Pop-A-Lock franchise owner in Florida. Let me start by saying that I am not speaking on behalf of anyone else associated with any other Pop-A-Lock. The comments and/or opinions are mine alone.

Contacting Tim McMullen with ALOA is a good idea. ALOA and Pop-A-Lock, as well as many legitimate locksmith companies in Florida, have been working very hard to lobby the state Senate to pass legislation requiring locksmith registration in our state. As it is, and MOST FLORIDIANS don't know this, there is absolutely NO regulations for locksmiths in our state. This has opened the door for hundreds of "scammers" and rip-off artists in Florida. My point is simply that Maryland is not alone in this!

ALOA and all of their supporters, Pop-A-Lock etc., have had a lot of success lately in our efforts to drive these scammers out of business! Several have already been put in jail for various charges.

I don't know if Maryland has any regulations, but I'd be willing to bet that your state is much like ours. Locksmithing in Florida is, by all accounts, not even a recognized profession. You have to have a license to cut hair and nails, but you can be a convicted felon and still locksmith here.

Call you state legislature. They'll listen. It will take a lot of work, but it's worth it to keep yourself and others from the financial and emotioanal harm caused by these individuals.

Thank you for your loyalty to Pop-A-Lock. Remember that you can always find us at www.popalock.com.

This customer was told exactly how much it would be to unlock her vehicle. We are not affiliated or associated with Pop-A-Lock whatsoever. We have never have been or claimed to have been.

Our vans are clearly marked with Around The Clock Locksmith all over them. Unless you have trouble reading it would be hard to not notice the difference.

The $195.00 that this customer was charged was agreed to. The customer paid for the service that was rendered.

We believe that the $195.00 that this customer was charged was a fair and reasonable fee for unlocking a vehicle after normal business hours.

Please feel free to email us at: [email protected] should you have any further questions.

Please contact Ms. Lucy Cardwell, Assistant Attorney General at: [email protected] and file a complaint. 

Joseph Horton is not a POP-A-LOCK employee. I reported his false listing to POP-A-LOCK and they have requested twice that he remove this false listing. POP-A-LOCK met with the Attorney General on Tuesday, 3/30/10.

Please contact Tim of the ALOA and file a complaint. The ALOA= Associated Locksmiths Of America. [email protected]

Please check out the March 31, 2010 Maryland Gazette Article   Section: Money

"Army bans Pasadena locksmith"

Good luck trying to get the media to listen to us everyday folk! I was ripped off by Joseph Horton on February 9, 2010. Since then I have done the following:

Filed a complaint with the BBB- Mr. Horton refused assistance from the BBB for resolution.

Filed a claim with my Bank- Card Member services denied my claim as a "Rate Dispute"

Filed forgery and false documents charges- The State's Attorney refused to prosecute, (I refused to sign his receipt and Joseph Horton sent two forged receipts to the bank and the BBB)

Filed a complaint with Consumer Protection Division, Federal Trade Commission, and the ALOA.

Sent letters to the Maryland Gazette, The Capital, Governor O'Malley, Sen. Barbara A. Mikulski, WBAL (NBC-11), WBFF (Fox 45/WB54), WJZ (CBS-13), WMAR (ABC-2)

Filed complaints and poor reviews on every link I can find for Joseph Horton. I search daily for he has added new addresses and phone numbers.

I will now file a Civil Case for I'm not sure what will be accomplished thru the Attorney General's Office, if anything.

GOOD LUCK!