7 Ways to Spot a Rogue Locksmith (2025) | Lockforce UK
“Don’t Get Locked into a Scam” — that’s the message we want every UK household to hear loud and clear.
As the Managing Director of Lockforce UK — a national network of locally-based trusted locksmiths — I’ve become increasingly concerned about the rise in rogue operators who exploit people during emergency callouts.
This article shares real experiences from across our network, the red flags you should watch for, and practical advice you can act on today to protect yourself tomorrow.
If there
is only thing you take away from this today, it is to save down the phone number
of a trusted and reputable locksmith in your area.
A Growing Crisis in the Locksmith Industry
It is disappointing to report that locksmithing in the UK remains unregulated, meaning anyone can advertise themselves as a locksmith without training, qualifications, or criminal background checks.
The consequences of this lack of regulation are serious. In 2024 alone, complaints about rogue locksmiths rose by 25%, with over 350 reports made to the Master Locksmiths Association.
That’s hundreds of cases
where people were misled, overcharged, or left insecure in their own homes.
Local Victims. Real Stories.
We’ve seen this happen again and again. Take this example from one of our locksmiths, Peter Luckley (Lockforce Henley) who was called out to help a distressed homeowner. She had been locked out, contacted a locksmith online, and was quoted a modest fee. The person who arrived wasn’t local, demanded hundreds of pounds, and then threatened to leave her property unsecured when she refused to pay more. That night, she pushed a sofa against the door to feel safe.
In another case, a customer
was promised a new lock and a spare key — but the spare key never arrived. Peter
inspected the work and discovered it was a cheap lock, poorly fitted, and
entirely unnecessary. Even worse, the supposed “local locksmith” had travelled over
60 miles to get there — a clear sign of deceptive advertising and a likely
lead-generation middleman.
7 Warning Signs You’re
Dealing with a Rogue Locksmith
1. Low “Starting Prices”
That Skyrocket
You’ve seen the ads —
“Emergency Locksmith from £39!”. But these are almost always bait-and-switch
tactics. Once on-site, rogue traders inflate costs with mysterious extras. Some
charge £300–£500 for basic entry, when the job should be closer to
£90–£150.
According to the MLA, this is one of the most common complaints they receive.
2. No Uniform, No
Identification
A professional locksmith will arrive in uniform and carry an ID badge. If someone turns up in plain clothes, can't identify themselves, or appears vague about who they work for — it’s a red flag.
3. Unmarked or
Questionable Vehicles
Many rogue locksmiths show up in unbranded vans or private cars, often without proper tools. This not only suggests a lack of professionalism but may indicate they’re working under the radar — and may not be insured or DBS-checked.
4. A Suspicious or Fake
Online Presence
Just because someone appears
in local Google search results doesn’t mean they’re local. Many rogue outfits
create fake location-based websites and use call centres to farm out
leads to distant, unvetted subcontractors.
In multiple cases, we’ve seen locksmiths travel 50–100 miles to a job, posing as a local expert.
5. Pushy Behaviour or
Aggressive Payment Demands
Rogues are known for pressuring customers mid-job to pay more — often refusing to leave without cash or even demanding payment to stop work that hasn’t been done. If a locksmith won’t give a written quote up front or insists on cash, walk away.
6. Unnecessary Drilling
and Lock Destruction
Many rogue locksmiths don’t have the skills or tools to use non-destructive techniques. They go straight to drilling out the lock — which can damage the door and lead to excessive costs. A professional locksmith will explore all options available then explain and agree an appropriate action and related costs before commencement of work. There are many occasions where drilling the lock can offer the quickest and most effective action in the circumstances, but non-destructive entry will always be considered.
7. No Receipts, No Spare
Keys, No Peace of Mind
If someone fits a new lock
and doesn’t hand over a full set of keys or written receipt, your security
could be compromised. In a recent incident we handled, the rogue never returned
with the spare key — leaving the customer unsure who had access to her home.
A professional locksmith will issue paperwork, a warranty, and ensure you receive all keys before leaving.
How You Can Protect Yourself — Starting Now
You don’t have to wait until something goes wrong to prepare.
Here are five steps you can take today:
- Save a trustworthy locksmith’s number in your phone now. That way, you won’t be forced to rely on whoever appears first online in an emergency.
- Avoid
locksmiths advertising suspiciously low prices. If it
looks too good to be true, it usually is.
- Check
reviews across multiple platforms, including Trustist and
Google. Look for clear local ties and genuine feedback.
- Ask
questions: Are you local? Are you DBS-checked? Can I see ID?
- Ask for
a recommendation from a friend or family member.
Why Lockforce Cares
This article isn’t about promoting Lockforce — it’s about protecting people. We believe in our mission: Keeping You Safe.
That means calling out rogue behaviour when we see it and helping residents across the UK stay informed and empowered.
We’re proud to work
alongside brilliant locksmiths across the country. Real people. Real
professionals. Real peace of mind.
Need Help or Want to Save
a Trusted Number?
Find your nearest vetted Lockforce locksmith using our postcode search below.
Lockforce UK proudly the most reviewed locksmith company in the UK.
Written by Sean Taylor, Managing Director of Lockforce UK
(18th May 2025)
