Five signs of a fake locksmith listing are below, followed by the questions to ask on the phone and what to do if you have already been overcharged.
Five red flags in a locksmith listing
- They will not give a company name, or they answer the phone with only the word locksmith.
- A very low price on the phone, then a much higher one at the door.
- No firm price agreed before they set off.
- No full name or business name you can look up and check.
- They want to drill the lock first, before trying anything else.
A real locksmith can answer all of this on the phone without fuss. Anyone who claims membership of a trade body can be checked with that body directly.
Why it matters
The Guardian reported in July 2026 that scam reports to the Master Locksmiths Association (MLA) rose 147% in the first three months of 2026 compared with the same period in 2025. The usual trick is a very low advertised price, around £49, followed by a much higher bill once the work is done. BBC News analysed 129 responses from people who said a rogue locksmith had affected them. That is people who said they were affected, not a random sample. The average first quote was £91 and the average total cost after the work was £773. There is no government licence for locksmiths, so anyone can advertise as one.
This page names no firm. It describes patterns.
What to ask on the phone
Write the answers down, or ask for them by text. It takes two minutes.
- "What is the name of the business, and the full name of the person coming?"
- "Where will you be travelling from?" A local locksmith should be able to tell you.
- "What is the total price to get me in, including VAT?"
- "What happens if the lock cannot be opened without drilling, and what does that cost?"
- "Can you text me that price before you set off?"
- "How long will you be?"
Listen to how the answers come. Be wary of answers that dodge the question.
At the door
Ask for the name you were given. Check it matches. Ask again for the price before any tool comes out. Do not let anyone drill an undamaged lock without a reason you understand, because drilling means you then need a new lock. If the price changes, you are allowed to say no and send them away. Keep what was agreed in writing.
Take a receipt with the business name and address on it.
If you have been overcharged
You have routes. Keep every invoice, receipt, text and call record first. Photograph the lock and the door.
Citizens Advice. Citizens Advice runs the consumer helpline on 0808 223 1133, and an online form. It gives advice and passes reports to Trading Standards. Citizens Advice says that to report to Trading Standards you contact its consumer service.
Trading Standards. GOV.UK has a page to find your local Trading Standards office by postcode, to report illegal sales activity.
Your card or bank. The MLA advises contacting your payment provider quickly. If you paid by credit card you may be protected under Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act. If you paid by debit card, ask your bank about a chargeback. If you paid by bank transfer, ask your bank whether the payment can be reimbursed under its scam process. Your provider will want evidence, so keep what you collected above.
Check for repeat payments. The MLA says some rogue locksmiths set up recurring payments. Look at your bank activity.
Small claims. If you were not told the cost before the work, the MLA says you may be able to claim the difference between what you paid and a reasonable charge, through a money claim on GOV.UK for amounts under £10,000.
Before you need one
Save a trusted number now, and a second one. Share it with a neighbour. For what a fair price looks like, see what a locksmith costs in London in 2026. If you are locked out right now, locked out: what to do in the first ten minutes. After a burglary, see changing locks after a burglary.
About the author
ESL Locksmiths works from south east London (SE13 and SE6). This page is advice, written so you can check a locksmith before you let them touch your door.
All advice