Identifying Baits, Switches, and Unscrupulous Lock Operators
Emergency locksmith scams are a widespread problem across North America. Scammers list fake local addresses online, quote low service dispatches (like “$15 or $29 dispatches”), and then demand hundreds of dollars once they arrive.
Common Warning Signs
- Low Initial Quote: If the phone operator refuses to give a price range and only repeats a “$15 service call fee,” they are likely a bait-and-switch operator.
- Unmarked Vehicles: Professional technicians arrive in marked service vans stocked with tools. Scammers often arrive in unmarked passenger cars.
- Insisting on Drilling: An unscrupulous operator will often claim your lock is “impossible to pick” and insist on drilling it out immediately to charge you for replacement hardware.
Warning signs before anyone arrives
A very low advertised price with no total, a listing with a local-sounding name but no street address, a call centre that will not give you the technician’s name, and an operator who pressures you to decide quickly. Be careful when the business answers the phone with a generic greeting instead of a company name.
Warning signs at the door
An unmarked vehicle, no photo ID, a price that changes sharply once work starts, an insistence on drilling a lock that looks openable, or a request for cash only. A legitimate technician explains what they are doing and why.
Safer ways to book
Look for a business with a real address you can verify, such as ours at Unit 12, 8550 Torbram Rd in Brampton. Ask for the company name and a price range on the phone, and ask for the quote in writing by text. Keep the invoice. If something feels wrong, you can stop the job before work begins and pay only for what was agreed. Our notes on choosing a secure mailbox lock show the same habit of asking for specifics before you buy.
Questions about a lock or key problem? Apna Locksmith is a Brampton-based mobile locksmith serving Brampton, Vaughan, Caledon, Etobicoke and Halton Hills. Call (289) 406-1500 or see our service areas.