My son and his young babysitter were trying to open my door when the lock hit the lock. The babysitter searched online and called out the locksmith citing a call out to the £49 callout fee.
The locksmith claimed he could not extract the key, and that the entire locking mechanism had failed and that it would have to be repaired at his workshop for a cost of around £400.
He later returned with his peers to restock the mechanism and presented a bill of £1,406. They refused to leave until they were paid.
TrustPilot reviews go back 18 months ago and report the same thing, i.e. It claimed that the mechanism had failed.
EA, London
This was horrifying for young women and children. Locksmith scams are on the rise. Master Rocksmith Association (MLA) figures have increased by 20% over the last 12 months.
It's no surprise that rackets are attractive to con artists. Anyone can set up as a locksmith without training or regulation. This job allows access to the head of the household keys and they can deny entry to their home until they are paid.
According to the MLA, most reputable locksmiths do not charge a call-out fee, and their average hourly wage in emergencies ranges from around £80 to £100 depending on the time of day.
To avoid fraud, be aware of low prices with advertising prices below £60, or ambiguity about costs. If the locksmith starts by digging the lock, it's a red flag. This is a last resort and is always expensive. Make sure your trader has the MLA logo. The MLA logo rejects and authenticates members and has information about fraud.
The bill was paid by your babysitter mother and you refunded her. Despite evidence of fraud, her bank refused to refund her under her Consumer Credit Law And I suggest that she appeal to the Financial Ombudsman service.
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