Articles â Mandatory Warning Proposal
The proposal is simple. Before a consumer calls a locksmith from Google â they should see a mandatory warning. The same mechanism that requires a risk warning on crypto ads can require a consumer protection warning on locksmith searches.
When a consumer searches for a locksmith on Google â distressed, often in a hurry, often locked out â they see a list of results with no indication of which are genuine and which are fraudulent. A mandatory consumer warning at the top of every locksmith search result page would reach consumers at exactly the right moment.
Example mandatory warning â as proposed
"Warning â fake locksmith listings have been documented across the UK. Before calling any locksmith from search results â check they are MLA registered at locksmiths.co.uk. Do not call any number quoted below ÂŖ80 for a standard job."
Financial advertising
Google requires FCA registration before any financial services ad runs. Mandatory risk warning on all investment advertising. Implemented after FCA pressure.
Cryptocurrency advertising
Mandatory risk warning since October 2023. The FCA required it. Google implemented within weeks.
Gambling advertising
Mandatory BeGambleAware warning on all gambling ads. Required by the Gambling Commission.
The same mechanism that required a risk warning on crypto ads can require a consumer protection warning on locksmith search results. The FCA compelled Google to act on financial ads. The CMA â under the DMCCA 2024 fair ranking conduct requirement â has equivalent powers to compel a mandatory locksmith warning. The will to use those powers is what is currently missing.
locksmithscams.co.uk â independent public interest resource â not affiliated with any organisation. View the full bad actors database â