Been Scammed — Overcharged

Locksmith overcharged me — what to do right now

Been overcharged by a locksmith? Act immediately. The sooner you contact your bank the better your chances of getting your money back. Section 75, chargeback, Trading Standards, and HMRC VAT fraud are all available to you.

📞 Call your bank now Bad Actors Database →

Section 75

Credit card protection over ÂŖ100

Chargeback

Debit card — contact your bank now

0808 223 1133

Trading Standards — free

0800 788 887

HMRC VAT fraud — anonymous

Do this immediately — before anything else

Call your bank right now

Credit card over ÂŖ100 — say "I wish to make a Section 75 claim — the price charged was significantly different from the price agreed." Your card issuer is jointly liable under the Consumer Credit Act 1974.

Debit card — say "I wish to raise a chargeback — the price charged was significantly different from the price agreed on the phone." Do not use the words fraud — use misrepresentation of price.

What Section 75 covers

Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act 1974 makes your credit card issuer jointly liable with the trader for any breach of contract or misrepresentation. If a locksmith quoted ÂŖ49 and charged ÂŖ600 — that is a misrepresentation. Your credit card company must refund you.

Section 75 conditions

Payment must be by credit card. The transaction must be over ÂŖ100. The claim must be about misrepresentation or breach of contract — which a false bait price clearly is.

Chargeback for debit cards

No minimum amount. Contact your bank and explain the price on the phone was significantly different from the price charged. Banks vary in how readily they apply chargebacks — be persistent.

What to do if you paid cash

Cash payments are harder to recover directly. But you still have options.

1

Small claims court

For amounts up to ÂŖ10,000. File at gov.uk/make-court-claim-for-money. Court fee is low. No solicitor needed. A CCJ against the company is a matter of public record.

2

Trading Standards

0808 223 1133. Even if you cannot get your money back directly — your report contributes to the enforcement case that may result in prosecution.

3

HMRC VAT fraud

If VAT was charged — check the number and report to 0800 788 887. HMRC can pursue the company regardless of how you paid.

Report to all five agencies

Each agency has different powers. Use all of them simultaneously.

Your bank — Section 75 or chargeback — do this first
Trading Standards — 0808 223 1133 — Documents the complaint — builds enforcement case
Action Fraud — reportfraud.police.uk — National fraud intelligence — NCA escalation possible
HMRC — 0800 788 887 — VAT fraud — account freezing powers — anonymous
Companies House — report.companieshouse.gov.uk — If you have the company registration number from the invoice

Full step by step reporting guide →

Been overcharged by a locksmith?

Call your bank immediately. Trading Standards: 0808 223 1133. Report Fraud: reportfraud.police.uk.

How to get your money back →

locksmithscams.co.uk — independent public interest resource — not affiliated with any organisation. View the full bad actors database →