The locksmith industry in the UK has a problem that has been growing for years and is now reaching crisis point. Fake locksmith listings — operated by overseas call centres using virtual phone numbers, fabricated reviews, and false addresses — are flooding online search results and mapping platforms across the country. Customers who have been overcharged, intimidated, or left with damaged locks are increasingly common. This post explains what is happening, how to spot it, and what you can do about it.
What is a fake locksmith listing?
A fake locksmith listing is a business profile created on an online mapping platform or search result that does not represent a genuine local locksmith. It uses a fabricated address — often a residential property, a building site, a garden centre, or a business park — to appear as though it is based in your area. It uses a virtual phone number that routes calls to an overseas call centre. And it uses fabricated five star reviews to appear reputable.
When you call the number you speak to a call handler who quotes a low price — typically £39, £49, or £59. An operative then arrives and the price increases dramatically on the doorstep. Locks are drilled unnecessarily. Replacement parts are charged at many times their retail value. Bills of £300, £500, £800, or more are presented and payment is demanded before the operative leaves. This is the bait and switch locksmith scam — and it is happening every day across the UK.
According to the Master Locksmiths Association locksmith scam complaints rose 147% in the first quarter of 2026 compared to the same period in 2025 — the sharpest quarterly spike on record. Complaints have risen 66% since 2021, from 242 to 402 per year.
How to spot a fake listing before you call
There are several specific indicators that a locksmith listing is fake rather than genuine.
The phone number. Genuine local locksmiths typically use a local landline number registered to their area. Fake listings use virtual phone numbers — in London the most commonly documented networks use prefixes including 020 3633, 020 8087, 020 3519, 020 3951, 020 3670, and 020 8191. These are virtual number blocks with no geographic connection — they can be operated from anywhere in the world. Any listing using a 0330 national rate number is also a red flag — this indicates a call centre operation rather than a genuine local tradesperson.
The reviews. Fake listings have fabricated reviews. These are typically generic — they do not name a specific locksmith, do not describe a specific job, and often contain the same phrases repeated across multiple listings. Genuine reviews name the locksmith, describe what was wrong, and explain specifically how the job was done. Since April 2025 fabricated reviews have been a criminal offence under the Digital Markets Competition and Consumers Act 2024 Schedule 20. The Competition and Markets Authority can fine platforms up to 10% of global annual turnover for non-compliance.
The address. Fake listings use real addresses that they have no connection to. In documented cases these addresses have included retirement complexes for elderly residents, active building sites, garden centres, and business parks. If you check the address on Street View and cannot identify a locksmith business — that is a red flag.
The hours. A genuine sole trader locksmith does not work 24 hours a day every single day of the year. If a listing shows open 24/7 with no days off — that is a call centre, not a genuine local locksmith.
The rogue locksmith problem in Twickenham, Richmond and west London
West London has been one of the most heavily affected areas in the country for fake locksmith listings. Towns including Twickenham, Isleworth, Brentford, Kew, Richmond, East Sheen, Teddington, Hampton, Hampton Hill, Whitton, Chiswick, and Kingston have all been targeted by coordinated virtual phone number networks operating fake listings across the TW, KT, and W4 postcode areas.
Fake locksmith listings have been documented in TW1, TW2, TW7, TW8, TW9, TW10, TW11, TW12, and W4 using virtual number blocks including 020 3633, 020 8087, 020 3670, 020 3519, and 020 8191. In Brentford alone multiple fake listings have been documented at business park addresses with no genuine locksmith business present. In Richmond and East Sheen addresses including residential streets and a garden centre have been used as fake business locations. In Twickenham and Whitton fake listings have appeared using addresses in the TW1 and TW2 postcode areas.
If you have been affected by a fake locksmith listing anywhere in the TW or KT postcode area — whether in Twickenham, Richmond, Isleworth, Brentford, Kew, Teddington, Hampton, Kingston, or Chiswick — the consumer resource at locksmithscams.co.uk has a searchable database of over 90 documented fake listings including many specifically in these areas. You can search by phone number, company name, or area to see if the operator you called has been reported before.
What to do before you need a locksmith
The single most important thing you can do is find a genuine local locksmith before you need one. Search the Master Locksmiths Association directory at locksmiths.co.uk and save the number of a local MLA member in your phone today. MLA members are assessed for technical competence, vetted, and must adhere to a code of conduct.
If no MLA locksmith is available in your immediate area Checkatrade and TrustATrader are reasonable second and third options — both verify tradespeople and reviews to a degree.
If you do find yourself locked out with no saved number — check first whether there is another way in, whether anyone has a spare key, or whether your landlord can help. If it is late at night — seriously consider booking a budget hotel for the night and dealing with it in the morning when you can find a genuine local locksmith at a fair daytime rate. A hotel room is significantly cheaper than a midnight rogue locksmith callout.
If you have already been scammed
If you have been overcharged by a rogue locksmith the first thing to do is contact your bank immediately. If you paid by credit card over £100 you have a legal right to a refund under Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act 1974. If you paid by debit card request a chargeback. Do this as soon as possible.
Report the phone number you called to Ofcom at ofcom.org.uk — this is the single most powerful action you can take. When enough reports accumulate against a specific number Ofcom can direct providers to suspend it — shutting down the entire operation at once.
Report to Trading Standards via Citizens Advice on 0808 223 1133. Report fraud to Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040. Report address misuse to the ICO at ico.org.uk/make-a-complaint. And leave a factual one star review on the listing describing exactly what happened.
The legal position
Rogue locksmith operations are breaking multiple UK laws simultaneously. Quoting one price and charging significantly more is a misleading commercial practice under the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008. Aggressive or intimidating behaviour on the doorstep is also a specific offence under the same regulations. Using a false address to misrepresent local presence is an offence under the Fraud Act 2006. Fabricated reviews have been a criminal offence since April 2025. If a locksmith is threatening or refuses to leave your property — call 999.
The regulatory picture and what you can do
Ofcom is currently running a consultation on fraudulent advertising that closes on 2 October 2026. There is also a parliamentary petition calling on the Government to strengthen rules against scam emergency trade adverts — closing on 10 September 2026. It needs 10,000 signatures to trigger a Government response. Signing takes thirty seconds.
Every report matters. File every one.
Frequently asked questions about rogue locksmiths
What is the locksmith 49er scam?
The locksmith 49er scam is where a rogue locksmith advertises a low price of £39, £49 or £59 to secure a job, then charges far more on arrival — often £300, £500, or more. The low price is designed to get someone through your door. Once there the price rises dramatically and payment is demanded before they leave. It is the most common locksmith scam in the UK.
How do I spot a fake locksmith listing online?
Key red flags: the phone number starts with 020 3633, 020 8087, 020 3519, 020 3670, 020 8191, or is a 0330 number; reviews are generic with no named locksmith and no specific job details; the listing shows open 24 hours every day; the address does not show a locksmith business on Street View; the business name includes the town name.
What should I do if I have been overcharged by a locksmith?
Contact your bank immediately — credit card payments over £100 are covered by Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act 1974. Debit card payments can be recovered via chargeback. Report the phone number to Ofcom at ofcom.org.uk. Report to Trading Standards via Citizens Advice on 0808 223 1133. Report to Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040.
Are there rogue locksmith listings in Twickenham and Richmond?
Yes. West London — including Twickenham, Isleworth, Brentford, Kew, Richmond, East Sheen, Teddington, Hampton, Hampton Hill, Whitton, Chiswick, and Kingston — has been particularly heavily affected by fake locksmith listings using virtual phone numbers. Multiple documented fake listing networks have been operating in these TW and KT postcode areas. Always use the MLA directory at locksmiths.co.uk or save the number of a genuine local locksmith before you need one.
Is there a police approved locksmith?
No. There is no such thing as a police approved locksmith in the UK. The police do not approve or recommend specific locksmith companies. Any locksmith claiming to be police approved is making a false claim — treat it as a red flag.
How much should a locksmith cost in Twickenham?
A genuine locksmith callout in the TW postcode area typically costs between £70 and £90 for the first hour during business hours, plus parts if needed. Evening and weekend rates are slightly higher. Any locksmith quoting £39 or £49 as a total price is using the bait and switch model — the real bill will be much higher.
What phone numbers do fake locksmiths use in London?
The most commonly documented fake locksmith phone number networks in London use these prefixes: 020 3633, 020 8087, 020 3519, 020 3951, 020 3670, and 020 8191. These are virtual number blocks with no geographic connection. Any 0330 number on a locksmith listing is also a red flag as it indicates a national call centre.
What is non-destructive entry and why does it matter?
Non-destructive entry means picking or bypassing a lock without drilling or damaging it. A genuine locksmith always tries non-destructive entry first. If a locksmith goes straight for the drill without attempting to pick the lock — that is a red flag. Drilling is used to force a more expensive lock replacement and is unnecessary in most lockout situations.
Where can I find a genuine locksmith in Twickenham or Isleworth?
Search the Master Locksmiths Association directory at locksmiths.co.uk and save the number before you need one. Assist Locks covers Twickenham, Isleworth, Brentford, Kew, Richmond, East Sheen, Teddington, Hampton, Hampton Hill, Whitton, Chiswick, Kingston, and surrounding TW and KT postcodes — MLA approved, DBS checked, trading since 2012. Call 07795 280621.