English Living
Britain, Scotland, Wales & Northern Ireland
Homes, Interiors & More
english-living.com
Emergency Locksmith Scams:
How Doing This One Thing Could Save You Thousands
Adobe
‘Bait and switch scams’ are on the rise. This is when the unrealistically low price you saw in a Google Ad (the bait) isn’t honoured when the work is carried out (the switch). When the final bill comes, it is much higher than expected - perhaps hundreds or even thousands more.
And people calling out emergency locksmiths are falling victim to this style of scam more and more, ultimately being denied access to their homes until they pay up.
The locksmith claims the job is more complicated than originally described, adds hidden fees like parts or labour, or says you need extra work, such as replacing the whole lock mechanism, when you don’t. Suddenly, the cost goes from a £49 call-out charge to a thousand-pound bill.
Home security expert, Rich Quelch, Managing Director of Nothing But Padlocks, offers his top tips for avoiding a ‘bait and switch’ locksmith scam…
“Unlike other skilled trades, locksmiths don’t need any qualifications to work safely and legally, so it’s easy for those with ill intentions to take advantage of people having a bad day.
“My number one piece of advice to avoid being overcharged by an emergency locksmith is to remove the emergency from the equation.
“Scammers are relying on the fact that you’re locked out and desperately need their help. One way to reduce your odds of being stung is to prepare for a lock out before one happens.
“Everyone should know who they would call for help and roughly what they can expect to pay. This preparation removes the stress and pressure that often leads to bad decision making in the moment and agreeing to higher prices.
“Without the panic, it’s easier to spot ‘too-good-to-be-true’ prices and find a reputable local locksmith. Do your research in advance - read local business directories and review platforms, check with industry bodies like the Master Locksmiths Association, and ask neighbours, family and friends, or community groups for their trusted recommendations.
“You can also give a locksmith a call to find out exactly what their call out quote includes and what you could expect to pay for a replacement lock. Red flags would be cash-only payments, vague answers and avoiding a detailed estimate for common scenarios.
“As a general rule, avoid clicking on sponsored ads, too. Scammers often use paid online advertising to appear legitimate, even copying genuine business names. They may also show addresses or map listings that don’t actually exist. A better approach is to scroll past adverts to the organic Google rankings.
“Once you find a locksmith you trust, keep their contact details. That way, if an emergency strikes, you won’t need to rely on a quick search that might pull up fraudulent operators.
“And please, save their details on your phone or keep them in your wallet. If you’re locked out, you won’t be able to find them in the back of a drawer!”.
Rich Quelch, Managing Director
