How To Avoid Locksmith Scams
The BBC has published an article exposing a rogue trader posing as a legitimate locksmith. In the report, the ‘locksmith’ was caught charging an elderly couple more than 50 times the original quote, leaving them with a bill of over £2,000 simply to gain entry to their home. Unfortunately, this is not an isolated case. Rogue traders are repeatedly caught offering low-cost quotes over the phone, only to dramatically increase the price once the work has been completed.
With the locksmithing industry largely unregulated, finding a fully trained and trustworthy locksmith can be challenging. However, there are several steps you can take to check a locksmith’s credibility and avoid being charged excessive or unfair prices for essential work.
Website Trust Signals
If you are looking online for locksmiths, it’s good to look out for trust signals. These are visual things you can look for on a website, the easiest of these to spot are things like a Trustpilot score or logos from trusted platforms like Which? and Checkatrade.
You can also look at the website itself, is the website secure? Does it have an SSL certificate? Are there any security badges such as Norton? You can also tell a lot by the contents of a website, it’s easy to make a website look professional, but look at the details. Is there comprehensive contact information, a privacy policy or an about us page? Are there lots of team photos and other images that are high quality? All these things point to a company being legitimate.
Assurances
When looking at a locksmith or locksmithing companies, look for assurances, such as the locksmith being DBS checked (meaning they have a clean criminal record) or proof of official training from bodies such as Highfield and the NCFE. There is no legal requirement for a locksmith to be trained, or DBS checked, but companies or individual locksmiths that do these things voluntarily, are likely to be more trustworthy than those that don’t.
Reviews
One of the most effective ways to check a locksmith’s reputation is by looking at customer reviews. A locksmith or company with very few — or no — reviews may not be trustworthy. Instead, look for businesses with a strong track record of positive feedback on platforms such as Google, Trustpilot, Checkatrade, or Which?.
Reviews from previous customers can give you valuable insight into the level of service, pricing transparency, and professionalism you can expect. It’s also worth checking social media. Search for the company or individual locksmith to see if there are any negative comments, complaints, or warnings from other customers.
In today’s digital world, most legitimate businesses maintain at least some form of social media presence. While not every locksmith is highly active online, having no presence at all can be a potential red flag and may indicate a rogue trader.
Transparency
A reputable locksmith company should be clear and transparent about pricing from the initial phone call. If a quote sounds too good to be true, it usually is. For example, quotes of £40–£50 are typically unrealistic, as even the most basic locksmith services usually start from around £96. You can find a more detailed breakdown of what to expect to pay on our Locksmith Prices Guide.
When getting a quote, always check whether the price includes VAT and the cost of any replacement parts. A typical locksmith quote is made up of three elements: labour costs, parts (if required), and VAT. While the person you speak to may not be able to give an exact parts price until they assess the lock, they should still be able to give you a reasonable estimate.
Some locksmiths also apply a callout charge. This doesn’t automatically mean they are untrustworthy, but it does mean you could be charged even if no work is carried out. Where possible, look for locksmiths who charge based on the time spent completing the work at your property, rather than charging simply for attending.
Word Of Mouth
If possible, it’s a good idea to get a recommendation from a friend, using someone that your friends or family can mean you’re more likely to get a good and fair service.
Locksmith Behavior | Trustwothy | Untrustwothy |
Very low price quote | ||
A large amount of positive reviews | ||
Clear break down of price | ||
No social media presence | ||
Locksmiths are DBS checked | ||
Locksmith or locksmith comapny are on Chekatrade or Trustpilot |
So, while you can never guarantee that you will end up with a trustworthy locksmith, there are steps you can take to help yourself pick the right one. Checking their website, looking at reviews and asking friends and family can mean you end up with a fully trained, reputable locksmith.
Kim Freeman
Kim is Keytek’s longest-serving security blogger, with nearly a decade of hands-on experience in the security industry. Over the past 9 years, she has built trusted relationships with locksmiths and security professionals across the UK, giving her exclusive insight into the latest trends, technologies, and best practices in home security.
From traditional burglary prevention methods to cutting-edge smart home solutions, Kim covers it all. As part of her role, she regularly reviews the newest home security gadgets on the market—including smart doorbells, security cameras, and more—bringing readers honest, practical advice on how to protect their homes.
Kim’s passion for security was sparked during her time at the University of Chester, where she learned first-hand how vulnerable student housing can be to break-ins. That early experience inspired a lifelong interest in home protection, eventually leading her to join the team at Keytek.
Today, Kim combines her deep industry knowledge with a love for writing to deliver helpful, accessible content for homeowners across the UK. You can read all of her expert advice and top security tips at Keytek.co.uk, where she shares everything from seasonal safety guides to reviews of the best security products on the market.
