Locksmith out to reclaim his name

Ed Walters is trying to get the word out that his Raleigh Locksmith company was not involved in the network of locksmiths operating fraudulently in North Carolina.

Tuesday, a Superior Court judge barred 704 Locksmith of Charlotte from doing business in the state. 704 Locksmith was doing business in the Triangle as Raleigh Locksmith, Durham Locksmith, Apex Locksmith and Smithfield Locksmith.

Walters' Raleigh Locksmith company has been in business in Raleigh since 1981. It is family-owned and operated. And it is not affiliated with 704 Locksmith. The state Locksmith Licensing Board confirmed that Walters is licensed with the state and has not been the subject of any disciplinary actions.

Though Walters is happy about the court's ruling, he said the fact that 704 Locksmith was operating using a business name identical to his company's has caused confusion.

"You can't control what your name is," said Walters, a North Raleigh resident. "I just have to deal with it."