Articles — The Solution

The solution to locksmith scams — what would actually work

No single measure solves the fake locksmith problem permanently. But three measures implemented simultaneously would make the fraudulent model economically unviable. Here is exactly what would work — and why the UK has not done it.

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The three-part solution

1. Mandatory government licensing — the Irish PSA model

Every locksmith must hold a valid PSA-equivalent licence before advertising or trading. Licence requires genuine identity, genuine address, proof of competence, and background check. No licence — no Google listing, no Yell entry, no website that ranks. Ireland has this. The fake listing problem does not exist there at scale.

2. Google mandatory verification — already exists in five countries

Google must verify that any phone number used in a locksmith listing is registered to a genuine business at the listed address before the listing goes live. Google has already implemented this voluntarily in Germany, Spain, Netherlands, Sweden, and Belgium. The CMA can compel Google to implement it in the UK under the DMCCA 2024 fair ranking conduct requirement.

3. Ofcom disconnection of documented virtual number networks

Ofcom can compel telecoms providers to disconnect number blocks used for systematic fraud under the Communications Act 2003. The six documented prefix blocks used by fake locksmith listings could be disconnected. New numbers can be purchased — but the disruption and cost raises the barrier significantly.

Why this combination works

Right now the total cost of creating a new fake listing is approximately ÂŖ50 and a day's work. With all three measures in place — a new fake listing requires a PSA-equivalent licence costing hundreds of pounds and weeks of processing, a verified phone number from a provider that vets customers, and a Google listing that checks the licence before going live.

The economics collapse. When the cost of creating a fake listing exceeds the return from a single fraudulent callout — the model is no longer viable. The operators move on. The market recovers. Genuine locksmiths can compete on merit again.

What you can do now

Sign the parliamentary petition. Write to your MP. Report every incident to Trading Standards, HMRC, and Action Fraud. The cumulative pressure builds the political will that forces action. Template MP letter → Sign the petition →

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