When you need to call a locksmith, it’s usually because there’s a stressful situation happening. You’ve lost your keys, they broke in the lock, or someone’s broken into your home. So you might not always be in the best space to do you due diligence. It’s all too easy to just pick a number from Google and call. But when it comes to locksmiths, you really do need to take the time to make sure you’re calling the right person.
How to Spot a Rogue Locksmith
Sadly, the UK locksmith industry is still largely unregulated, which means anyone can advertise themselves as a locksmith. No training, qualifications or criminal background checks required. So, if you aren’t careful, you could be inviting someone unsavoury into your home. Today, we’re going to tip you off to 5 signs of rogue locksmiths, so you don’t get taken in and become a victim.
Low Starting Prices: You’ve seen ads pop up online before. They scream ‘Emergency locksmith, £39!’. It seems like the bargain of the century. But this kind of thing is almost always a bait-and-switch. Once they get to your house, a rogue trader will suddenly find reasons for that price to skyrocket. They might say the £39 is just for a call out, or come up with mysterious extras. Some will even charge £300-£500 for basic entry, when it should be more around the £90-£150 mark! This is one of the most common complaints the Master Locksmiths Association receive, so it’s safe to say it happens a fair bit.
No Uniform or ID: A professional locksmith will arrive in a uniform and carry an ID badge. This is both for practical and safety reasons, and is a good way to make customers feel more comfortable. If someone turns up in plain clothes, can’t identify themselves or is deliberately vague about who they work for, it’s a big red flag.
Unmarked Vehicles: Similar to the uniforms, most locksmiths will turn up in a branded vehicle, usually a van. Again, this is practical, and is good advertising for them! If your locksmith turns up in an unbranded van or a private car, without the proper tools, it tells you two things. One, they have no professionalism. Two, they’re likely working under the radar, which means they might not be insured or DBS checked.
Pushy Behaviour: Rouge traders are known for being overly pushy or aggressive. Often, they’ll try to pressure customers into paying mid-job, refuse to leave without cash, or even demand payment to finish work that hasn’t been done. If a locksmith won’t give you a written quote up front, or insists on cash only, walk away.
Unnecessary Lock Drilling: 9 times out of 10, we can get you back into your property without damaging your lock. The problem rogue traders have is that this takes skill, knowledge and time. Things they don’t like to spend! So instead, they’ll go straight to drilling out the lock. This not only means they can charge you for fitting a brand new lock, but it can also damage your door as well. Don’t mistake us, there are some occasions where a professional may need to drill a lock, but they’re few and far between, and the locksmith will always discuss it with you first.
No Receipts, No Spares: If someone fits a new lock for you and doesn’t hand over a full set of keys and a written receipt, it’s a big red flag. Your security could be compromised, and you need to think carefully about what to do next. We did recently have a customer who’s rogue locksmith never came back with her spare key – which meant she had no idea who had access to her home. A professional locksmith will issue paperwork, keys and even a warranty before leaving your home.
How To Protect Yourself
The good news is, you don’t have to wait until something goes wrong to take action. With a little knowledge, you can protect yourself from rouge traders.
For starters, save the name and number of a trustworthy locksmith in your phone now. Someone you’ve used before, or someone who has been recommended to you by someone you trust. That way you won’t be forced to rely on whoever turns up first online in an emergency, or have to spend valuable time doing research.
Next, avoid any locksmith advertising suspiciously low prices. If it looks too good to be true, it probably is! If you’re looking online, check reviews across multiple platforms, including places like Google, Trustpilot and Checkatrade. This will show you if a locksmith has clear local ties, and give you genuine feedback on the service. When you’re on the phone with a locksmith, ask them questions. Are they local? Are they DBS checked? Will they be able to show you ID when they arrive? And if you’re not sure where to start, ask family and friends who they’ve used in the past.
At My Locks Locksmiths, we’re always happy to help out, answer questions and provide advice. With decades of experience, we’ve seen most of the things that can go wrong with doors, locks and security systems. If you’d like to ask about your locks, about us as a company or just need some help getting into your home, we’d be happy to help. Just get in touch with one of our team today.