Rogue Locksmiths

[Mups]

I was reading earlier,  about the increase in fake, or rogue,  locksmiths. 

It seems 350 cases were reported in 2024,  an increase of 25% on 2023.  And that's just the ones who got reported.
They quote a price over the phone,  but when they do the job, they say it was more involved and therefore demand a lot bigger fee.

I never gave it a thought until now,  but the article said Locksmith's are 'unregulated.'

Average prices seem to be around £65-ish,  but out-of-hour emergencies often charge another £50-£100 call-out charge as well.

Some 'businesses'  also state they are 'Police Recommended.'  Avoid those, and keep looking,  as the Police do not recommend locksmiths,  so you know they are fake.

Usually safer to go through these people.

Here's a link if anyone wants to know more.


https://www.moneysupermarket.com/news/increase-in-locksmith-scams/

[Scrumpy]

I have an outside safe with spare key inside.. 
 
So many rogue traders.. Interesting about locksmiths...

[Mups]

I have an outside safe with spare key inside..
 
So many rogue traders.. Interesting about locksmiths...

I thought so too, Scrumpy.

It says people panic when they are suddenly locked out, or have their keys stolen,  and that's what these nasty people play on.

[dextrous63]

One trick is to have a bogus bit of pipework outside which could be legit, but in fact is never used and can hold spare keys in the event of an emergency.

[Alex]

I have an outside safe with spare key inside..
 
So many rogue traders.. Interesting about locksmiths...

Not sure I trust a wall safe, my friend has one and when I used to go feed her cat I was always worried someone would look over my shoulder and see the code I put in        I'm fortunate to have a locksmith who is a friend of my son.  He helped me when the front door handle came off in my hand !   

[Scrumpy]

Not sure I trust a wall safe, my friend has one and when I used to go feed her cat I was always worried someone would look over my shoulder and see the code I put in        

'Look over my shoulder and see the code I put in'

I would notice if someone was looking over my shoulder in my garden..
It's not a thoroughfare that people use to go to the Co-op..

[Alex]

'Look over my shoulder and see the code I put in'

I would notice if someone was looking over my shoulder in my garden..
It's not a thoroughfare that people use to go to the Co-op..

What about binoculars then ?          

[JBR]

One trick is to have a bogus bit of pipework outside which could be legit, but in fact is never used and can hold spare keys in the event of an emergency.

That's a jolly good idea, Dex.
We have an outlet pipe outside from one of our toilets.  I could, I suppose, cut out a section and make it removable, then use it to hide spare keys.
Hopefully, no-one would think to pull it out in the hope of finding spare keys, and even if they did they'd probably decide not to use them anyway.