Dosh dilemma: Andy’s £300 rogue locksmith scam

Andy’s relaxing Saturday morning took a bad turn when he couldn’t get into his flat. His key just spun in the lock.

In a panic, he searched for a locksmith online and called the first one that came up. He spoke to a friendly chap who quoted him a fair £50.  

But when ‘Joe’ the locksmith arrived, he claimed the job was more complex and the cost shot up to £250.

After a lot of noisy drilling and damage to the door, Andy was slapped with a £300 invoice.

Feeling pressured, Andy paid and was left with a wrecked door and a much lighter wallet.

What is the locksmith scam?

Unfortunately, Andy’s experience is not a one-off. Rogue locksmiths often use ‘bait-and-switch’ tactics.

They include:

• a low upfront quote to hook you in
• a sudden, steep price hike once they’ve started
• rushed, poor-quality work and pressure to pay up

Why are locksmith scams so common? 

There’s currently no government regulation for locksmiths in the UK.

That means:

• no qualifications are required
• no ID or vetting process
• anyone can advertise as a locksmith
• no standardised pricing
• no mandatory training

In short, anyone with a toolbox can claim to be a locksmith.

What to do before you hire a locksmith

Before agreeing to a job, choose a Master Locksmiths Association (MLA) approved locksmith so you know they’ve undergone rigorous vetting and are qualified professionals.

Use the MLA price list to compare costs for different jobs. This will give you an indication of what a job should generally cost.

What to do if you’ve been scammed

Here’s what to do if you've been ripped off:

• Report the incident to Action Fraud: if false claims or impersonation were involved.
• Contact Trading Standards: they can investigate dodgy practices, though they won’t get your money back.
• Speak to Citizens Advice: get free legal guidance on what you can do next.
• Contact your bank or card provider: you might get help if you paid by credit/debit card or bank transfer.
• Leave honest reviews: warn others and help them avoid the same scam.

Can you get a refund?

Unfortunately, it’s not guaranteed as even under Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act:

• you're only covered if the service wasn't provided or was misrepresented
• since the locksmith did get the door open (albeit poorly), you might not qualify

Spotting a rogue locksmith

Watch out for:

• too-good-to-be-true prices
• vague or changing quotes
• no online presence or reviews
• not listed by the MLA
• aggressive or pushy behaviour

Andy’s story is frustrating, but sadly, not uncommon.

Always do a quick check before letting someone into your home, even in an emergency.