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Wayne Perrey's Locksmith Scam Tips

As reports have surfaced of people paying rogue locksmiths up to £1,600 for a job that should have cost around £300, Wayne Perrey joined us in studio to talk through the best way to find a locksmith if you need one

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HOW COMMON ARE LOCKSMITH SCAMS?

Locksmiths aren’t regulated, which means that technically anyone can call themselves one, charge you a lot of money and avoid being held to account.

In 2022 alone, the Master Locksmiths Association (MLA) received more than 300 reports about fraudulent locksmiths charging significantly more than they should. It also found that almost a quarter of its members had been called out at least once a month to correct the work of rogue locksmith.

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WHAT'S THE BEST WAY TO FIND A REPUTABLE LOCKSMITH?

There are websites available that you can use to verify a potential locksmith such as the Master Locksmith's Association. Some also have a list of average prices you can look at to see if you're being overcharged.

Another method is by word of mouth. Speak to family and friends and see if there are any recommendations from people who have already had work done, or even checking online reviews.

Get more than one quote so you can compare across each one.

Warning:

Be careful when posting on social media. You don't want the wider public to know that your doors are broken.

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HOW CAN I SPOT A ROGUE LOCKSMITH?

Cheap Advertising Prices

If someone is offering really low prices this can be a sign of a scammer. The MLA say that around 75% of its members say rogue locksmiths often quote an unusually low price. The most common type of scam with locksmiths is the bait and switch scam, which is on the rise across the UK. You could be lured in with the promise of a cheap price, usually something like £39 / £49 or £59, only for the final price to be much higher.

Social Media and Adverts

Social media can be a breeding ground for scam traders as they can manipulate their page to appear more legitimate. With ads, they also can pay to appear at the top of a web search page. Check that the website address matches who they say they are.


Intimidating Behaviour

This can be in a number of ways like forcing you to pay in a certain way like in cash or even being vague about what the final price will be how how long the job will take.


Calls Aren't Answered by a Locksmith

One of the most important things to look out for when choosing the right locksmith is whether they answer the phone or if it is diverted to a call centre. Genuine locksmiths would usually take their own calls for jobs.

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WHAT CAN I DO IF I'M HAVING ISSUES WITH A LOCK?

Wayne's checklist

  1. If you're locked out or your lock breaks, don't panic and don't call the first person you find on Google. Take the time to go through reputable people and choose the best one for the job.
  2. Don't try and break down the door. This could cause more harm than good and might make it more difficult for the locksmith to gain entry if you need to call one out.
  3. If you find you have a stiff lock, this can be an easy fix. Dirt and grime build up in locks over time, clogging it and making it difficult to move. Clear away any dust and dirt you can see on your lock, the keyhole and the mechanism along the edge of the door. Then use a lubricant made for locks, which you can get for as little as £3.50 at a hardware store, which should ease the lock.
  4. If your key has snapped in the lock and you can see part of the key sticking out, you can try using the top of needle nosed pliers to try and pull it out.
  5. If none of this works, it's time to call a professional.

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USEFUL LINKS

  • to visit the Master Locksmiths Association
  • to visit Action Fraud to report a rogue locksmith