Locksmith Scandal: Britons Hit by 'Bait-and-Switch' Overcharging Scams
Dozens of Britons are being wrongly overcharged by locksmiths every month in a growing wave of 'bait-and-switch' scams, with complaints surging dramatically over the past five years. The Master Locksmiths Association (MLA) has reported a sharp increase in grievances, highlighting a concerning trend that is leaving vulnerable consumers out of pocket.
Complaints Surge as Scams Proliferate
Some 402 complaints were made to the MLA last year, representing a 15 per cent increase on the 350 total recorded in 2024 and a staggering 66 per cent rise compared to the 242 complaints in 2021. This upward trajectory indicates that the problem is worsening rather than improving, despite increased awareness.
Most complaints follow a similar pattern: a rogue locksmith quotes a low price, often around £49, to secure a job, but the final bill unexpectedly balloons to hundreds or even thousands of pounds. This deceptive practice, known as 'bait-and-switch', is becoming increasingly common across the country.
Undercover Investigation Reveals Shocking Practices
In one revealing example, BBC London secretly filmed a locksmith attempting to charge nearly ten times his original £40 quote. This followed numerous complaints about the company in question. The reporter initially received a quote for 'a simple door opening', but the locksmith who arrived claimed the lock would need to be drilled at a cost of £125 plus VAT.
The total bill for what should have been a straightforward job reached an astonishing £376.80, including a £40 callout fee, £125 opening cost, £110 for a new lock and three keys, £39 labour and £62.80 VAT. When confronted by the journalist, the locksmith drove away without responding, later claiming on the phone that he used 'the method that the company learned'.
Regarding the inflated price, he stated that the team handling calls did not know what lock the house would have or what work was needed. While he admitted to 'miscommunication', he firmly denied any intentional scam.
Elderly Couple Hit with £5,000 Bill
The human cost of these scams is devastatingly clear in the case of Maureen and Eric Reynolds, both 85, who expected to pay under £50 for a locksmith after being locked out of their London home. Instead, they received an invoice for £2,802.
To make matters worse, the work was so poorly executed that they needed another locksmith to replace the entire door and frame at an additional cost of £2,244, bringing their total bill to a shocking £5,046.
Mr Reynolds recounted the experience to the BBC: 'The guy pulled up and [our grandson] did ask him if he had the tool to get the key out.' He said the man replied: 'Oh no, no, no, I don't carry that.' The locksmith then insisted he had to 'drill the door' rather than attempting to enter via a side door.
After drilling the lock and replacing broken parts, the locksmith claimed the lock itself was also faulty once the couple's grandson had left, stating he needed to replace the whole thing. Mr Reynolds explained his dilemma: 'I didn't know what else to do. Otherwise he was going to shoot off and I'd be left with an open door, and couldn't shut it.'
Mrs Reynolds added: 'It was cheaper to replace the whole door than what he charged for the lock.'
Fake Reviews and Nationwide Problem
Experts have noted a concerning rise in fake online reviews for locksmiths, warning consumers to be wary of those which are overly generic or lack specific details about the work performed. These deceptive reviews make it increasingly difficult for consumers to identify reputable tradespeople.
The MLA has confirmed that overcharging reports have come in from numerous areas across the UK, including London, Bristol, Edinburgh, Maidstone, Aylesbury, Rickmansworth, Coulsdon, Banbury, Sutton, Fareham, Hemel Hempstead, Wickham, Barrow-In-Furness, Bedford, Dunfermline and Orpington. This indicates a nationwide problem rather than isolated incidents.
According to the MLA, some individuals are being charged more than £1,000 for a simple lockout, with one extreme case reaching £1,800 – despite many being initially quoted between £49 and £89.
Industry Calls for Action
Steffan George, the MLA's managing director, told the Daily Mail: 'These scams don't just harm customers - they also make it harder for honest locksmiths to be found online. Reputable businesses are being pushed down the search results by rogue traders using misleading tactics, which damages trust in the whole industry.'
He called for search engines to restrict or completely ban locksmith advertising, noting that similar bans in countries like Germany, Belgium, the Netherlands and Sweden have helped reduce fraud and protect people who need urgent help.
George added: 'We always recommend that people find a reputable locksmith in advance - ideally more than one - and save their details for emergencies. We recommend that they pass this information onto friends, relatives and neighbours – especially those that are vulnerable.'
Protection Advice for Consumers
The MLA advises people to avoid getting ripped off by saving the phone number of a local locksmith approved by their organisation. Those who believe they have been misled by an online advert are advised to report it to both the Advertising Standards Authority and the Competition and Markets Authority.
As these scams continue to proliferate, consumers are urged to exercise extreme caution when searching for emergency locksmith services and to research reputable providers before an emergency occurs.
