LOCKSMITH SCAMS RISE 147% AS CUSTOMERS REPORT INFLATED CHARGES

Locksmith scams in the United Kingdom increased by 147 per cent between January and March compared with the same period the previous year, according to reports. The frauds typically involve locksmiths charging vastly inflated prices for routine work, often targeting vulnerable customers in urgent situations. One woman reported being charged £2,209 to regain entry to her flat after she became locked out with her three-month-old daughter.

The woman, identified as Sarah, used a Google search to find a locksmith after discovering she had left her keys at home during a walk. The company she contacted advertised starting prices of £45 and displayed claims of over 4,500 five-star reviews on its website. Upon arrival, the locksmith informed her that her lock was high-security and required drilling to open. After forcing entry and replacing the lock, he claimed he had damaged an internal mechanism requiring further replacement. He then presented a bill for £2,209 and deployed a card machine, pressing her repeatedly to pay whilst she was alone in her flat with her baby.

Sarah stated she feared the locksmith's behaviour could escalate to aggression, prompting her to authorise the payment. She later recognised she had been defrauded despite considering herself generally aware of scam tactics. The incident demonstrates how scammers exploit time-sensitive situations and parental anxiety to pressure victims into authorising disproportionate charges. Experts note that such schemes have become sufficiently widespread to warrant public awareness campaigns about locksmith pricing and verification methods.