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You searched for a locksmith on Google.
Most top results are shell companies — not genuine local locksmiths.

When you search "locksmith near me" on Google — the sponsored ads and local listings that appear may not be genuine local businesses. Many are shell companies using fabricated company names, virtual phone numbers, and false addresses to appear local. Check before you call.

Search the database — enter a company name or phone number

Fuzzy search — typos are fine. Try a company name, phone number, or area.

Already been overcharged? You may be able to get your money back. →

SAW A PAID ADVERTISEMENT?

Report this ad to Google — tap the three dots ⋮ on the ad and select Report this ad → Scam or fraud

⬇ REPORT TO TRADING STANDARDS & AUTHORITIES →

SAW A LOCAL BUSINESS LISTING?

Report this listing to Google — scroll down on the listing and tap Report a problem → This place doesn't exist

⬇ REPORT TO TRADING STANDARDS & AUTHORITIES →
147%
Rise in complaints Jan–Mar 2026
£3,300
Highest confirmed charge for a lockout
40+
Fake listings in west London alone
6
Coordinated virtual phone number networks documented
Report a fake listing → How to spot one
If you have been overcharged — report it here. Your report could shut down the number and stop it happening to someone else.

Been scammed? Take action right now

📞 Report to Trading Standards 0808 223 1133 🚨 Report to Action Fraud 0300 123 2040 ⬇ SEE ALL REPORTING OPTIONS AND HOW TO GET YOUR MONEY BACK ⬇

Paid by credit card? Call your bank now — Section 75 gives you a legal right to a refund on payments over £100

Why does this site exist?

locksmithscams.co.uk exists because Google, Apple Maps, Bing, and other search platforms have allowed rogue locksmith operations to dominate local search results — pushing genuine established local locksmiths into invisibility. Genuine operators who own property in the area, are physically based there, and have built their reputation over years cannot be found. Fake listings created last week by overseas call centres rank above them.

Apple Maps banned home services — specifically naming locksmiths — from its new paid advertising platform in July 2026, citing the category as too high-risk. Apple Maps organic listings for fake locksmiths remain completely unaddressed. Google continues to rank fake locksmith listings above genuine local operators while collecting advertising revenue from both the fake operators gaming the organic results and the genuine operators forced to buy ads because organic results are blocked.

"If search platforms had implemented the verification standards that Nextdoor, Checkatrade, and Google’s own US Local Services Ads already apply — this site would not need to exist."

⚠️ UNLESS YOU COMPLAIN — NOTHING WILL BE DONE ⚠️

COMPLAIN.
EVERY. SINGLE. TIME.

Most victims suffer in silence. That silence is exactly what keeps these operations running. Regulators only act when they see the scale of the problem. They only see it when you report it.

One report

Adds to the evidence file. Creates a timestamp. Proves you were defrauded.

Ten reports

Flags the number to Ofcom. Triggers a Trading Standards review. Puts the listing under scrutiny.

A hundred reports

Shuts down the phone number. Removes the listing. Opens a formal investigation. Stops others being scammed.

REPORT IT NOW →

Your complaint is not pointless. It is evidence.
The authorities need to see the scale of this problem before they will act on it. You are the evidence. File the complaint.

The Online Safety Act 2023 · The Digital Markets Competition and Consumers Act 2024 · Ofcom · Trading Standards · Action Fraud
All have powers to act. None of them will use those powers without your complaint.

Share this website. Someone you know will need it.  |  Facebook  |  X / Twitter  |  WhatsApp  |  Nextdoor  |  📋 Sign the Petition

Why your complaint matters — even if nothing happens immediately

Here is what actually happens when people report. It is slower than it should be — but it works.

Report the phone number to Ofcom

Multiple complaints against the same number trigger Ofcom to direct the telecoms provider to suspend it. The listing stays on Google Maps — but nobody can call it. The operation stops.

Report the listing to Google

Each report is logged. When reports accumulate on a listing Google's systems flag it for review. Leaving a review as an address owner or local resident is the single fastest way to get a listing removed.

Report to Trading Standards

Trading Standards build case files from individual complaints. A pattern of complaints against the same operator triggers a formal investigation. Under the DMCCA 2024 fabricated reviews are now a criminal offence.

Share your story publicly

Leave a review on the fake listing. Contact an investigative journalist. Post on Nextdoor or local Facebook groups. Every public account of what happened warns another consumer before they call the same number.

The Online Safety Act 2023 — new powers, slow implementation

The Online Safety Act gives Ofcom significant new powers to hold platforms like Google accountable for fraudulent content. The Digital Markets Competition and Consumers Act 2024 makes fabricated reviews illegal. These laws exist — but the regulatory structures to enforce them at scale are still being built. The more complaints regulators receive, the faster those structures are built and the more pressure there is to use them. Every complaint you file today helps build the case for enforcement tomorrow.

Honest practical advice

Locked out? Here is what to actually do — before you call anyone

The advice nobody gives you — because it is not in anyone's commercial interest to say it. If you are locked out late at night, calling a locksmith is not always your best or cheapest option. Here is the honest picture.

Before you call anyone — check these first

1

Is there another way in? Back door. Side gate. Window you left open. Garage. If you share a building — does a neighbour have a spare key or can a building manager let you in? Try everything before calling anyone.

2

Does anyone else have a key? Family member. Friend. Neighbour. Landlord. Estate agent. Someone who looked after your pet. Call them first — even if it is late. A taxi to collect a spare key is far cheaper than a midnight locksmith callout.

3

Are you renting? Your landlord or letting agent may have a legal obligation to help you gain access. Call them before calling a locksmith.

4

Is it late at night? Seriously consider booking into a local hotel for the night. Deal with it in the morning when you are calm, it is daylight, and you can find a genuine local locksmith at a reasonable rate. A budget hotel room is often cheaper than a midnight callout — and infinitely less stressful than dealing with a rogue operator at 1am.

The hotel option — seriously worth considering

If you are locked out late at night and cannot find a trusted locksmith — booking into a nearby hotel is often the smartest financial decision you can make. A budget hotel room costs £50 to £80. A midnight rogue locksmith callout can cost £300 to £800 or more. The maths is simple.

At the hotel you can charge your phone, think clearly, contact family or friends, and find a genuine local locksmith through the MLA directory in the morning. You arrive rested, in daylight, with a vetted locksmith who will do the job properly at a fair price.

Rogue operators rely on your panic. Removing yourself from the panic removes their advantage entirely.

If you must call a locksmith at night

If you have no alternative and must call a locksmith late at night — do not search Google. Use the MLA directory at locksmiths.co.uk on your phone. If no MLA locksmith answers, try Checkatrade. Always get a written price via WhatsApp before anyone comes out. And be aware that legitimate locksmiths may not be available at midnight — and if they are, a fair night rate will be higher than a daytime rate.

A genuine locksmith who quotes £120 for a midnight callout is being honest with you. A locksmith who quotes £49 at midnight is not.

The best defence against being locked out

Give a spare key to someone you trust

Family member, neighbour, close friend. The single most effective prevention. Costs nothing.

Never leave your key in the lock inside

If you have a back door — make sure you can access it. Two ways in is always better than one.

Save a locksmith's number now

Find a genuine local locksmith via locksmiths.co.uk today. Save their number as LOCAL LOCKSMITH. Do it now — not when you need them.

Check your home insurance

Many home insurance policies include lockout cover. Check yours before you need it. Your insurer may have approved locksmiths they will send at no cost to you.

Most searched on this site

Received an invoice from one of these companies?

These are the most commonly searched company names on this site — confirming multiple victims have received invoices from them.

Most searched ⭐

Definitive Trading Ltd

Co. No. 11440699 — previously COSAT Ltd — connected to ontimelocksmith.co.uk — £580 invoice documented

See full profile →

108 Trustpilot reviews

BS Security Maintenance Ltd

Also trading as Your Local Locksmith Company, LRS Locksmiths — 91 year old victim documented

See full profile →

Police intervention documented

Locksmaster / General Services Ltd

Advertises as Locksmaster — invoices as General Services Ltd — £838 documented

See full profile →

Documented scam tactic

Astra Security — Overpriced Branded Locks

Rogue locksmiths fitting their own branded Astra locks and showing you the website to justify charges of £189 to £630 — for a lock that costs £10 at trade

See full page →

View all 92 documented companies in the bad actors database →

Everything you need — on one of these pages

🚨

Report It

Trading Standards, Ofcom, Action Fraud, get money back

🔍

Spot a Fake

Red flags, phone numbers, diagrams, what to look for

📋

Bad Actors Database

90+ documented fake listings — search by name or number

🔑

Find a Genuine Locksmith

MLA directory, Certified Locksmiths, hotel option

📰

Articles & Research

Investigation, media coverage, regulatory proposals

ℹ️

About Us

Who we are, privacy policy, disclaimer

Before you need one — read this now

How to find a legitimate locksmith in the UK — before you are locked out

The most important thing you can do is find your local locksmith before you need one. Save their number in your phone today. When you are locked out at 11pm in the rain is the worst possible moment to start searching Google — because that is exactly when the fake listings are designed to catch you.

The honest truth about finding a locksmith in London in 2026

If you are searching for how to avoid a rogue locksmith, how to find a legitimate locksmith in London, or how to check a locksmith before you call — you are in the right place. Genuine local locksmiths in London are becoming increasingly hard to find — not because they do not exist, but because fake listings have so completely dominated online search results that legitimate businesses have been pushed out of view. The playing field has been so skewed by fake paid adverts and virtual number networks that many genuine locksmiths have simply stopped trying to compete on Google.

If something is not done — through licensing, through regulation, through enforcement — the same hollowing out that has happened in London will spread to every town and city in the UK. The genuine local locksmith who trained, who invested in tools, who built a reputation over years, is being driven out of their own market by operators who have no qualifications, no local presence, and no intention of doing a good job.

Where to look — in order of reliability

Master Locksmiths Association MLA

First choice — most reliable

locksmiths.co.uk — Master Locksmiths Association directory

The MLA directory is the most reliable place to find a genuine, vetted locksmith in the UK. MLA members are assessed for technical competence, vetted, and must adhere to a code of conduct. This is the place to look first — before you need a locksmith, not after.

The number of MLA members in London has fallen significantly in recent years — a direct consequence of fake listings making it impossible for genuine locksmiths to compete on Google. If you cannot find an MLA locksmith in your immediate area, search the nearest town and ask if they cover your postcode. Many do.

Find an MLA locksmith near you →  •  LockFind London → (75+ London locksmiths, 56 MLA approved)

This website is not affiliated with the MLA. The link is provided as a public service.

2. Certified Locksmiths and Security

Certified Locksmiths and Security is a directory of vetted and certified locksmith professionals across the UK. Unlike general trade directories that accept any applicant, this directory applies specific criteria to ensure every locksmith listed is genuinely qualified and operating to a professional standard. A useful second resource alongside the MLA.

Find a certified locksmith →

This website is not affiliated with Certified Locksmiths and Security. The link is provided as a public service.

Second choice

Which? Trusted Traders

Which? Trusted Traders is backed by the consumer champion Which? and applies an endorsement process including trading history and customer reference checks — making it a more rigorous option than standard trade directories. The Which? brand also gives consumers additional confidence that listed traders have been properly assessed. Search for a locksmith at trustedtraders.which.co.uk. Backed by the Which? consumer champion — a trusted and well known third option for finding a vetted local locksmith.

Find a locksmith on Which? Trusted Traders →

Checkatrade — checkatrade.com

Checkatrade vets tradespeople and verifies reviews — though its vetting process is less rigorous than the MLA. It is a reasonable second option if no MLA locksmith is available in your area. Look for locksmiths with a significant number of verified reviews describing specific jobs — not generic praise. A named locksmith in the reviews is a positive sign.

Note: Checkatrade is more reliable than Google Maps but is not as thorough as the MLA directory. Use it as a second option rather than a first choice.

Find a locksmith on Checkatrade →

Do not rely on search engine results for a locksmith when you are locked out

The top results on Google for "locksmith near me" are overwhelmingly fake listings. This has been documented and reported repeatedly — and the listings remain.

If you are already locked out and have no saved number — use the MLA directory at locksmiths.co.uk on your phone. It takes sixty seconds. It is infinitely safer than calling the first Google result. The sixty seconds you spend finding a genuine locksmith could save you hundreds of pounds and a very unpleasant experience.

The single most useful thing you can do right now

Find your local locksmith today.
Save their number in your phone.

Go to locksmiths.co.uk right now. Find the nearest MLA locksmith to your home. Call them during business hours — introduce yourself, confirm they cover your area, get their number. Save it in your phone as LOCAL LOCKSMITH. That thirty second phone call today could save you £500 and a very distressing evening in the future.

Find your local locksmith now →

If you are searching for any of these — you are in the right place

Dodgy locksmith? Cowboy? Been done over? Ripped off?

Whatever you call it — this site is for you. Here is every way people describe what happened to them.

dodgy locksmith cowboy locksmith rogue locksmith rip off locksmith been done over by locksmith locksmith scammed me locksmith overcharged me locksmith ripped me off locksmith extortion locksmith daylight robbery locksmith con artist locksmith conned me fake locksmith Google locksmith 49er scam locksmith quoted £39, £49, £79 or £80 then charged hundreds locksmith bait and switch locksmith drilled my lock unnecessarily locksmith refused to leave locksmith threatened me locksmith aggressive locksmith won't leave until I pay locksmith invoice wrong company name locksmith invoice different name locksmith no receipt locksmith cash only locksmith charged for parts not needed locksmith changed lock without asking bandit locksmith locksmith not local locksmith fake address locksmith fake reviews locksmith chargeback locksmith get money back locksmith virtual number locksmith not MLA locksmith turned up and drilled locksmith shyster locksmith crook locksmith taking liberties locksmith taking the mickey locksmith on Google Maps fake locksmith con locksmith fraud locksmith robbed me locksmith price gouging locksmith taking advantage locksmith not genuine emergency locksmith scam locksmith overpriced lock locksmith showed me website price Astra Security locksmith locksmith charged £300 for a lock locksmith charged £400 for a lock locksmith own brand lock expensive locksmith parts markup

If any of these describe your experience — or if a locksmith showed you an expensive branded lock website to justify their price — see the Astra Security lock scam page. Or search the bad actors database or find out how to get your money back.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about fake locksmith listings

Based on the most common searches reaching locksmithscams.co.uk from consumers researching rogue operators.

Yes. The documented bait price has evolved. Originally £39 to £49 — widely documented in ASA rulings, Trading Standards guidance, and consumer protection articles. As those figures became associated with scam complaints, operators shifted to £59, £69, £79 and £80. In September 2026 a consumer in west London rejected a genuine locksmith quoting £95 for non-destructive entry on a Sunday in favour of a competitor quoting £80. No genuine mobile locksmith can cover fuel, van maintenance, tools, insurance, and Sunday premium rate for £80 in London in 2026. Any quote of £80 or below for a Sunday callout in London is almost certainly a bait price — regardless of whether it sounds more reasonable than £49.

No. BS Security Maintenance Limited (Companies House No. 15170909, director Bogdan-Florin Stoica) has 108 Trustpilot complaints for systematic overcharging. It also trades as LRS Locksmiths, Freedom Lock, Your Local Locksmith Company, and SPL Locksmiths. If your invoice says BS Security Maintenance Limited — call your bank immediately for a Section 75 refund (credit card over £100) or chargeback (debit card). Full profile at locksmithscams.co.uk/bs-security-maintenance-limited-fake.html

No. LGSD Ltd is a documented rogue locksmith operation connected to the Tudor Gabriel Cerneanu network — eight shell companies all registered at the same NW9 address. It generates over 100 clicks per month on this database from victims searching for the company name after being overcharged. Full profile at locksmithscams.co.uk/lgsd-ltd-fake.html

Documented fake locksmith virtual number networks in London include: 020 8087, 020 3633, 020 3519, 020 3951, 020 3670, 020 8191, and the newly confirmed 020 3983 network (September 2026). These are VoIP numbers with no geographic connection to the areas they claim to serve. Search any number at locksmithscams.co.uk before calling.

Yes. 020 8087 is a documented fake locksmith virtual number prefix used by multiple fake listings across London including ABS Locksmith Twickenham (020 8087 0743), BobAckerman Locksmith Teddington (020 8087 0056), KeyTurn Locksmith Kew (020 8087 0073), EliteKey Locksmith Brentford (020 8087 1744), ADK Unlocking Experts Brentford (020 8087 0982), and Lupus Locksmiths Hampton (020 8087 1206). Do not call any number starting 020 8087 for locksmith services.

Yes. 020 3633 is a documented fake locksmith virtual number prefix. Confirmed fake listings using this prefix include Choice Locksmith Richmond (020 3633 7561), Guardian Lock Kew (020 3633 7854), Fortress Key Locksmith Twickenham (020 3633 7946), Right Guy Locksmith Teddington (020 3633 2390), and Swift Locksmiths Ltd (020 3633 9367). Do not call any number starting 020 3633 for locksmith services.

Yes. 020 3983 is a newly confirmed fake locksmith virtual number network discovered in September 2026. Four listings confirmed: Twickenham Locksmith Service (020 3983 7092), Islworth Locksmith Service (020 3983 7029), Rapid Richmond Locksmith (020 3983 7668), and The Best Locksmith SW6 (020 3983 2485). This network appeared simultaneously across TW1, TW7, TW9, and SW6 — confirming coordinated creation.

Credit card over £100 — Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act 1974. Call your bank and say the price charged was significantly different from the price quoted. Debit card — chargeback within 120 days. Same argument. If your bank refuses — escalate to the Financial Ombudsman Service at financial-ombudsman.org.uk. Also report to Trading Standards on 0808 223 1133 and Action Fraud at reportfraud.police.uk.

In most cases — no. A skilled locksmith can open standard euro cylinder locks non-destructively using picks. Drilling is a last resort for damaged or seized locks. Rogue locksmiths drill immediately because it requires less skill, allows them to charge for a replacement lock, and destroys the evidence of whether picking was possible. If a locksmith drilled without attempting to pick first — the drilling was almost certainly unnecessary and you have grounds for a refund claim. Full guide at locksmithscams.co.uk/locksmith-drilled-my-lock.html

A genuine MLA approved locksmith in London charges £60 to £120 for a standard domestic lockout including non-destructive entry. If a replacement cylinder is needed — an additional £80 to £150 supply and fit. Total for a standard lockout including parts: £80 to £200. Any quote significantly above £200 for a standard lockout warrants investigation. Charges of £300 to £800 — documented across hundreds of Trustpilot complaints — are grossly inflated.

A fake locksmith listing is a Google Maps business profile created by a call centre to appear as a genuine local locksmith. It uses a virtual phone number with no geographic connection to the area, a residential or ghost address used without the owner's consent, a keyword-stuffed business name containing the town name, fabricated reviews, and 24-hour opening every day. When a consumer calls the number they reach a call centre which dispatches an operative who charges dramatically more than the price quoted.

Five signals identify a fake listing: the phone number starts with a documented fake prefix (020 8087, 020 3633, 020 3519, 020 3951, 020 3670, 020 8191, 020 3983); the business name contains the town name as a keyword (Twickenham Emergency Locksmith, Kew Locksmith 24/7); the listing shows Open 24 hours every day; the reviews have no named locksmith and no specific job detail; and the address shows no locksmith business on Google Street View. Search any number at locksmithscams.co.uk before calling.

No. Definitive Trading Ltd is a documented rogue locksmith operation with two County Court Judgments registered against it in 2026. Director: George Cristian Hosu. The company systematically overcharges consumers using bait and switch pricing — quoting a low price on the phone and charging dramatically more on arrival. If your invoice says Definitive Trading Ltd — call your bank for Section 75 or chargeback. Full profile at locksmithscams.co.uk/definitive-trading-ltd-fake.html

Call 999 immediately. Threatening behaviour or refusing to leave a property until payment is made is a criminal offence. You are not legally obliged to pay an amount you did not agree to before work started. A locksmith who becomes aggressive when you dispute a price or ask for an itemised invoice is using intimidation to extract payment — this is a criminal matter not a consumer dispute.

Three reliable routes: the Master Locksmiths Association directory at locksmiths.co.uk/find-a-locksmith — search by postcode for MLA approved locksmiths who have passed technical examinations; Checkatrade and Which? Trusted Traders — genuine verified reviews from real customers; and personal recommendation from a neighbour or previous customer. A genuine locksmith trades under their real name, arrives in a sign-written van, quotes a firm total price before starting, and is MLA registered or equivalent.

No. Locksmithing is not regulated in the UK. Anyone can call themselves a locksmith without any qualification, training, licence, or registration. This absence of regulation has enabled organised criminal operations to flood Google Maps with fake listings. The Master Locksmiths Association (MLA) provides voluntary professional regulation but membership is not legally required. Mandatory locksmith licensing — proven to work in several US states — has not been implemented in the UK. Full article at locksmithscams.co.uk/is-locksmithing-regulated-uk.html

020 3670 is a documented fake locksmith virtual number network operated by TWC Locksmiths Ltd (Companies House No. 15559707, director Thomas William Coombs, South Croydon CR2 8NY). Doorway page websites confirmed include tw1locksmithtwickenham.co.uk, tw2locksmithwhitton.co.uk, tw7locksmithosterley.co.uk, tw7locksmithisleworth.co.uk, tw13locksmithhanworth.co.uk, and nw2locksmithwillesden.co.uk. The network has expanded into W5 Ealing. Do not call any number starting 020 3670 for locksmith services.

Astra Security is a website — astra-security.co.uk — that lists overpriced lock cylinders at £189 to £630 each. Rogue locksmiths show consumers this website on their phone to justify inflated parts charges. The same locks cost £30 to £80 at trade. The Astra Security website exists specifically to provide a false price reference for rogue operatives. If a locksmith shows you astra-security.co.uk to justify a parts price — refuse and call a genuine MLA locksmith. Full article at locksmithscams.co.uk/astra-security-lock-scam.html

Open the listing on Google Maps. Click the three dots menu. Select Report a Problem. Select Fake business. Submit. For batch reporting of multiple fake listings — use the Google Business Redressal Complaint Form at support.google.com/business/contact/business_redressal_form — which accepts a spreadsheet of multiple listings at once. Also text the phone number to 7726 to report it to Ofcom. And report to Trading Standards on 0808 223 1133.

Yes. Go to gov.uk/check-uk-vat-number and enter the VAT number from your invoice. If the number is missing, invalid, or belongs to a different company — call HMRC on 0800 788 887. Free and anonymous. Charging VAT without a valid VAT registration number is a criminal offence. HMRC can freeze company bank accounts without a court order. This is one of the most effective actions a victim can take.

Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act 1974 makes your credit card provider jointly liable with the merchant for any breach of contract or misrepresentation. If you paid a locksmith by credit card and the charge was over £100 — and the price charged was significantly different from the price quoted — you have a legal right to a full refund from your bank. Call your bank and say: the price charged was significantly different from the price quoted and the service was misrepresented. The bank cannot hide behind a shell company. This right applies regardless of whether the locksmith company is dissolved or ignores your complaint.

No. Astra Security locks listed on astra-security.co.uk at £189 to £630 are not worth those prices. A quality Sold Secure rated euro cylinder — the British Standard for genuine security — costs £35 to £80 at trade. Brands including Yale, Ultion, Avocet ABS, and Mul-T-Lock offer superior security ratings at a fraction of the Astra Security price. Astra Security locks have no independent Sold Secure or British Standard certification publicly listed. The website exists primarily as a price reference tool for rogue locksmiths to justify inflated parts charges to distressed consumers.

Astra Security locks are listed at inflated prices — £189 to £630 — because the website is designed to be shown to consumers by rogue locksmiths to justify overcharging. The operative shows the consumer the astra-security.co.uk website on their phone and points to the listed price as evidence the charge is standard market rate. It is not. Equivalent or superior quality cylinders from Sold Secure rated brands cost £35 to £80. The Astra Security price list is a props document for consumer fraud — not a genuine retail price guide.

Astra Security locks have no publicly available independent security rating from Sold Secure, the Master Locksmiths Association, or any British Standard testing body. A genuine high security euro cylinder carries a Sold Secure Diamond or Gold rating — the industry standard for anti-snap, anti-pick, and anti-drill resistance. Genuine high security cylinders from Ultion, Avocet ABS, and Mul-T-Lock carry these ratings and cost £40 to £120 supply only. If a locksmith has fitted an Astra Security cylinder and charged £189 to £630 for it — call your bank for a Section 75 refund. You were overcharged for an unrated lock.

The Astra Security scam works as follows: a rogue locksmith arrives at a callout and says the lock must be drilled. They then show the consumer the astra-security.co.uk website on their phone, pointing to a cylinder listed at £189 to £630, and say this is the replacement lock required. The consumer — in distress, locked out, and presented with what appears to be a legitimate price list — agrees. The actual cylinder fitted may cost the operative £15 to £30. The consumer pays £189 to £630 plus labour plus callout. Total charge: £300 to £800 or more. Full article: locksmithscams.co.uk/astra-security-lock-scam.html

Go to gov.uk/check-uk-vat-number and enter the VAT number shown on your invoice. The check is free and instant. It will tell you whether the number is valid and which company it is registered to. If the VAT number is missing from the invoice — the company is charging VAT without being VAT registered, which is a criminal offence. If the VAT number is valid but belongs to a different company — the VAT is being collected fraudulently. In either case call HMRC on 0800 788 887. Free. Anonymous. HMRC can freeze company bank accounts without a court order.

Yes — and you should. Call HMRC on 0800 788 887 (free, anonymous) and give them the company name, the VAT number on your invoice (or note that no VAT number was shown), the amount of VAT charged, and the date of the job. HMRC takes VAT fraud very seriously and has powers that Trading Standards and Action Fraud do not — including freezing company bank accounts and seizing assets without a court order. Given that fake locksmiths charge £300 to £800 per callout and add VAT to every job — the unreported VAT across thousands of callouts represents substantial tax fraud. Your report adds to the intelligence file that triggers investigation.

A locksmith invoice that shows VAT being charged but does not display a VAT registration number is a significant red flag. All VAT-registered businesses in the UK are legally required to show their VAT registration number on any VAT invoice. A missing VAT number means either the company is not VAT registered and is pocketing the VAT illegally, or the company is using a fake or stolen VAT number. In either case — report to HMRC on 0800 788 887 immediately. Also check the VAT number at gov.uk/check-uk-vat-number. The VAT you paid — typically 20% of an already inflated bill — is being stolen from the UK tax system.

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