How the Scam Works
Step 1: The low-ball quote
You call, get quoted a price of $15–45 for a standard lockout service. This price is designed to get you to commit — it's completely divorced from what you'll actually pay. Sometimes they'll quote "starting at" prices that never apply to any real situation.
Step 2: The upsell on arrival
A technician arrives and immediately announces complications: "This is a high-security lock," "Your lock is damaged and must be drilled," "This will require a special technique." None of this is true — the goal is justifying a bill of $200–500 for a 5-minute job that should cost $50–100.
Step 3: The pressure to pay
Once they've opened your lock, you're being asked to pay before you've had time to think about whether the price is fair. Some refuse to leave until you pay. In some documented cases, they've re-locked the door and refused to open it again until you agree to the full amount. You're at your most vulnerable when you're cold, late, or holding crying children.
How to Find a Legitimate Locksmith
Before you're locked out: save a real locksmith's number
The best time to find a locksmith is not when you're standing outside your car at 10pm. Ask your neighbors, your mechanic, or your building super who they use. Check the Associated Locksmiths of America's directory at aloa.org/find-a-locksmith — ALOA members are vetted professionals who have agreed to a code of ethics. Save the number now.
Check your existing coverage before calling anyone
You may already have locksmith coverage you're forgetting about: AAA membership includes lockout service. Many auto insurance policies include roadside assistance with lockout service (call the number on your insurance card). Some homeowners and renters insurance policies cover residential lockouts. Many credit cards include roadside assistance as a benefit. Check these before spending any money.
If using a search result, verify before they arrive
Ask for: the company's full legal name and physical address (not a PO box). Search that business name on your state's contractor licensing database — many states require locksmiths to be licensed. Verify the address is real on Google Maps. If they can't give you a verifiable local address and a license number, they're a call center. Hang up and call someone else.
Get a firm written quote before they start work
A legitimate locksmith will give you a price — in writing or clearly stated over the phone — before they do anything. That price is what you'll pay (plus any clearly stated extras like after-hours fees, which are real and legitimate). If the technician says they "can't quote a price until they see it," that is your cue to say "okay, thank you" and call someone else.
When they arrive: check their ID and vehicle
A professional locksmith arrives in a marked vehicle with their company name on it, carries business cards, and can show you a license (in states that require it). An unmarked car and a technician who can't produce any documentation of who they work for is a warning sign worth acting on. You can say "I'd like to see your license and a business card before you start" — that's entirely reasonable.
If You've Already Been Overcharged
- If you paid by credit card, dispute the charge. Tell your issuer the quoted price was $X and the actual charge was $Y without prior disclosure — this is a billing dispute under the Fair Credit Billing Act.
- File a complaint with your state attorney general's consumer protection division. Locksmith fraud is specifically investigated by many state AGs — a pattern of complaints can lead to enforcement action.
- File with the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov. The FTC has brought cases against locksmith scam networks.
- Leave a detailed Google review naming the call center routing number you called — this helps others avoid the same trap.
- If the technician damaged your lock or your property, that may be an additional claim through small claims court.
Realistic Price Ranges for Legitimate Locksmith Services
These are approximate market rates for legitimate, licensed locksmiths in most US cities (2025–2026). Actual prices vary by region, time of day, and complexity:
Car lockout (standard key)
$50–$100 during business hours. $100–$150 for after-hours or weekend service. A 5–10 minute job for a skilled locksmith.
Home lockout (standard deadbolt)
$65–$125 during business hours. Service call fee + labor. Less than 10 minutes for most standard locks.
Lock rekey (per lock)
$20–$50 per lock cylinder, plus a service call fee. A standard house (3–4 exterior doors) runs $100–$200 total including service call.
Lock replacement (per lock)
$100–$250 per lock for a quality deadbolt installed. Grade 1 (residential security standard) deadbolts are $35–75 in hardware stores — labor adds $50–100.
Frequently Asked Questions
My car has a transponder key. Is a locksmith even able to help or do I need a dealership?
Modern locksmith shops can program transponder keys and smart keys for most vehicles — often faster and cheaper than a dealership. However, this is a more complex service that may require your vehicle's VIN and proof of ownership. Call ahead and confirm the locksmith has the right equipment for your specific make and model before they come to you.
Can I call a locksmith if I'm locked out in an unfamiliar city?
Yes — use the ALOA directory at aloa.org/find-a-locksmith to find vetted locksmiths in any US city. Also check Yelp with photos and detailed reviews (not just star ratings), look for businesses with a physical storefront address (not a PO box), and verify their phone number has a local area code matching the city you're in. Call your roadside assistance first — most cover nationwide.
A locksmith drilled my lock and charged $300 when the door was unlocked the whole time. What can I do?
This is a documented scam variant. File a dispute with your credit card company (if you paid by card), file complaints with your state AG's consumer protection division and the FTC. If the locksmith damaged your property without cause, you may have a small claims court case for the cost of the lock replacement. Leave a detailed review naming the call center number you dialed.
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