Notice Board
STOP THE SCAMMERS
Locksmith scams are a growing issue in the UK. In 2024, there were over 350 reported incidents, a 25 % increase compared to the previous year. Many of these cases involve customers who consider themselves cautious or informed.
» BEING SCAMMED IS NOT LIMITED TO the elderly or vulnerable. When people are locked out and under pressure, their ability to make careful decisions is compromised.
While it is the public who are directly scammed, it is reputable locksmiths who are left to deal with the long-term consequences. Every scam weakens trust in the profession, and that affects everyone in the trade …
Common tactics include:
• Using fake addresses and operating under multiple names
• Refusing to give fixed prices until the job is done
• Charging five to ten times the normal rate
• Causing unnecessary damage and doing avoidable work
• Using pressure or intimidation to secure payment
What the Law Says
It is important to understand that many of the tactics used by rogue locksmiths are illegal.
If a locksmith:
• Charges an excessive price without clear explanation
• Misleads the customer about what work is needed
• Refuses to quote before starting work
• Uses intimidation to demand payment
They may be breaking several UK laws, including:
• The Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008
• The Fraud Act 2006
• The Consumer Rights Act 2015
Some scam operators have faced fines and even prison sentences. As an industry, we need to support more enforcement by helping customers report these crimes and by collecting evidence when we come across it.
Several countries have attempted to regulate the problem, but results have been mixed.
Ireland introduced compulsory licensing for locksmiths. While it helped raise visibility of legitimate businesses, it also created significant financial pressure, especially for smaller operators. Some scammers were still able to pass the checks, as the process does not catch those without prior convictions.
In North America, companies like Google have restricted paid ads and map listings to verified locksmiths. This has reduced the visibility of rogue operators in some areas, but it has also caused problems for legitimate businesses that were mistakenly removed.
At CLS, our approach focuses on:
• Raising public awareness of the risks
• Supporting victims of locksmith scams
• Encouraging high standards within the trade
• Collaborating with enforcement agencies to bring rogue operators to justice
We also provide a service where a CLSlicensed locksmith can inspect previous work for a customer and assess whether it was needed. This can help victims seek compensation or take legal action.
What You Can Do
You can make a real difference by helping to educate customers, report bad practices, and maintain high professional standards …
1. Educate Your Customers
After completing a job, especially in emergency callouts, take a minute to explain how scams work and how to avoid them in the future …
CLS: A Simple Message You Can Share
C – Card Details Never give them over the phone. This is a common scam tactic.
L – Licence Only use locksmiths who are licensed, vetted, and endorsed.
S – Sponsored Adverts Be cautious of paid ads that promote unrealistically low prices. If it says“ from £ 49,” be sceptical.
Let them know:
• Never give card details over the phone
• Avoid sponsored ads with vague company names and extremely low prices
• Always look for a licensed, local locksmith with verified credentials
2. Support Scam Victims
If a customer has already been scammed, you can help. Offer to look over the work done and provide a comparison quote. CLS-licensed locksmiths can use this to help customers build a case or understand what went wrong.
3. Report Rogue Activity
If you see scam listings online or hear from customers who were targeted, pass the information to CLS. We use these reports to build evidence and support investigations.
Final Thoughts Scam locksmiths are harming both the public and the professional trade. By standing together, sharing information, and helping customers understand their rights, we can take back control of our industry.
CLS is here to support you. If you’ re not already a CLS-licensed locksmith, consider joining. Together, we can protect the reputation of honest locksmiths and shut down rogue operators for good.
Find out more by visiting www. certifiedlocksmithsandsecurity. co. uk / locksmith-scams /, emailing info @ certifiedlocksmithsandsecurity. co. uk or watch the video here: https:// youtu. be / zg2200igIpM
SEPTEMBER 2025
5
Issue Takeover locksmithjournal. co. uk