Locksmith red flags — how to spot a rogue locksmith before and after they arrive

🚩 Town name in the listing title

Richmond Locksmith, Twickenham Lock Expert, Kew Security Solutions. A genuine local locksmith does not need to advertise their town — they are already known there. The town name in the listing is an SEO tactic used by fake call centres.

🚩 020 3633, 020 8087, 020 3519, 020 3951, 020 3670, 020 8191 number

These are documented virtual number network prefixes used exclusively by fake locksmith listings in London. Not geographic. Not local. Can be operated from anywhere.

🚩 Price starting from £39 or £49

The 49er scam. That price will not be the price you pay. It is a bait price to secure the callout.

🚩 Not on the MLA register

Check locksmiths.co.uk/find-a-locksmith before calling anyone. A locksmith who is not on the MLA register has not been vetted, inspected, or assessed.

🚩 Reviews all posted in a short burst

A genuine locksmith accumulates reviews slowly over years. Twenty five star reviews posted in one week are almost certainly fabricated. Check the dates on Google and Trustpilot reviews.

🚩 Answers with just "Locksmith" or "Hello"

A genuine business answers with their company name. A call centre answering for dozens of fake listings cannot answer with a specific name — because they do not know which listing you called.

🚩 Cannot give a firm price

Vague answers about pricing. "Depends on the job." "From £49." "We will assess when we arrive." A genuine locksmith gives you a realistic estimate based on your description.

🚩 Cannot confirm the company name on your invoice

Ask "what company name will appear on my invoice?" A genuine locksmith answers immediately. Hesitation or a different name to the listing is the invoice mismatch red flag.

🚩 Goes straight for the drill

A genuine locksmith always attempts non-destructive entry first — picking the lock before drilling. Arriving with a drill and going straight to drilling is a deliberate tactic to justify a higher charge.

🚩 Shows you a website to justify the price

Showing you the Astra Security website or another branded lock website on their phone to justify a charge of £189 to £630 is a documented fraud tactic. The same locks cost £8 to £40 at trade. See the Astra Security lock scam page for full details.

🚩 Price is significantly higher than quoted

The price on arrival bears no relation to the price quoted on the phone. You are entitled to refuse and ask them to leave before any work is started. Do not let them start if the price is unacceptable.

🚩 Refuses to leave until paid

This is an aggressive commercial practice and potentially criminal under the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008. Call 999 if you feel threatened. Do not pay under duress.

🚩 Different company name to the one you called

The invoice name mismatch is deliberate fraud — designed to make chargebacks harder. Note both names and report both to Trading Standards and Action Fraud.

🚩 VAT charged but no VAT number

Criminal offence. Check any VAT number at gov.uk/check-uk-vat-number. Report to HMRC on 0800 788 887 immediately.

🚩 No company address or a serviced office address

Check any company address on Companies House. A serviced office, a retirement complex, or a residential address are all red flags. A genuine locksmith business has real premises.