When you need a locksmith: how to avoid the dodgy ones

Save a local locksmith’s number in your phone before you need one, check they’re MLA-approved, and agree a fixed price on the phone rather than at your door.

Locksmithing is one of the most scam-ridden trades in the UK, because people only need one in a hurry and have no time to check them out. A genuine locksmith charges £80 to £150 for most lock-outs. A scam outfit quotes £50 on the phone, turns up, and bills £500 in cash on your doorstep. There are locksmiths listed across the UK on WotsItCalled, and a bit of prep means you ring a good one when it counts.

How the scam works

The pattern has been running for years, and it helps to recognise it.

• Fake national “locksmith” websites that are really call centres, farming your job out to whichever subcontractor is nearest.
• A cheap quote on the phone, say a £49 call-out and £25 labour, to get you to commit.
• They arrive and immediately “find” problems. “Lock is broken beyond repair”, “needs full replacement”, “requires security upgrade”.
• The final bill is £400 to £800. It’s usually demanded in cash on the spot, for a new lock that cost them £15 wholesale.
• No receipt, no business card, no trace. They vanish back into the call centre, and the website changes its phone number every few weeks.

That’s why the best thing you can do is find a local locksmith BEFORE you need one. Five minutes now can save you £500 later.

What to look for in a real one

• MLA (Master Locksmiths Association) approval. Members are vetted, inspected and DBS-checked, and the MLA’s directory of approved locksmiths is public. Look for the logo and check them against it. It’s the gold standard.
• A real business address. A mobile number on its own isn’t enough. You want a physical office or workshop, or at least a van with a proper business name and number.
• Local phone number. 0800 numbers and national “we come to you” websites are usually call centres in disguise.
• Years in business. If they’re a limited company, look them up on Companies House. A local firm that’s been going five years beats one registered last week.
• Reviews that name the person. “Dave from [company] was brilliant” reads like a real customer. “Very quick service, excellent”, posted 30 times in a month, is a review farm.

What to ask on the phone before they come out

1. What’s the total price, including call-out, labour and VAT? You want the actual number, not “starting from”. If they won’t commit, hang up.
2. Do you charge more at night / weekends? A real locksmith may add a small out-of-hours charge, but they’ll tell you up front.
3. Do you need to replace the lock, or can you open it? A real locksmith can open almost any lock without damaging it. If they go straight to drilling and replacing, be suspicious.
4. What’s your business name and address? They should answer without hesitating.
5. Are you MLA-approved? It’s a yes or no, and you can check if you have any doubt.
6. Will I get a receipt with your company details on it? Genuine firms always say yes.

Save a number now

Do it today, while you’re not locked out. Pick one local locksmith and save the number in your phone, and you’ll never be searching in a panic at 10pm on a Sunday.

The locksmiths directory lists local locksmiths across the UK, including Liverpool, Manchester, Birmingham and Leeds. Choose one with MLA approval and specific reviews, save the number, and forget about it until the day you need it.

Locksmith work beyond lock-outs

A local locksmith you trust is useful for more than emergencies.

• Upgrading your locks to British Standard BS3621. Some home insurance policies require it, so check yours.
• Anti-snap, anti-bump euro cylinders. Lock snapping is the most common way into a uPVC door, and a proper locksmith can upgrade you for £50 to £100.
• Smart locks and keyless entry. Fitted properly, rather than bought online and bodged.
• Rekeying after losing keys. Often cheaper than replacing the whole lock.
• Security audits. A walk round your house pointing out weak spots in door locks, window catches and patio doors. It takes half an hour and is often worth it.

The short version

• Locksmith scams follow a familiar pattern: cheap quote, inflated bill, cash only, then gone.
• Look for MLA approval, a real address, a local phone number and years in business.
• Get a firm total on the phone before they come out, not a “from” price.
• Most locks can be opened without damage. If they talk about drilling straight away, hang up.
• Save a local number now instead of relying on a panicked search at midnight.

WotsItCalled is a free UK business directory. No signup, no catch. Find the place everyone’s on about, or browse the full locksmiths directory.