Aussies caught in a scam trap as unqualified ‘locksmiths’ pick pockets instead of locks
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As we navigate the complexities of modern life, we often rely on professionals to help us with our everyday needs.
However, what happens when the very people we turn to for help turn out to be scammers preying on our vulnerabilities?
This is the alarming situation currently unfolding across Australia, where a wave of dodgy groups has infiltrated the locksmith industry, leaving Australians hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars out of pocket.
The Master Locksmiths Association, the guild that represents qualified professionals in the locksmith industry, has issued a nationwide alert warning Australians about these scams.
They particularly target customers in distressing situations, such as when they're locked out of their homes.
It's a moment when we're most vulnerable and, therefore, more susceptible to being taken advantage of.
These scammers lure customers with the promise of cheap $50 callouts, a fee that seems too good to be true—and it is.
This fee only covers their attendance, and customers are then hit with exorbitant charges to actually carry out the service, such as picking the lock or opening the door.
The costs can skyrocket to hundreds or even thousands of dollars, leaving customers feeling cheated and helpless.
John Ellis, a trained locksmith who runs Locksmith and Barrel in Melbourne’s west, has seen the aftermath of these scams firsthand.
He's often called to repair the damage after unqualified scammers have destroyed or damaged locks.
Ellis shared his insights, revealing that many of these scammers are not trained locksmiths and often cause unnecessary damage.
‘There are a lot listed, but if you check the reviews, you’ll see it’s a scam. They come and go. People get wise to them, and then they change their name and come back,’ he said.
‘We've been to many a job where they've failed to open the door, where they've drilled in the wrong place. They’re not trained locksmiths, and that’s the problem.’
He briefly hired one of the scammers, who admitted to being an untrained backpacker; however, the individual soon departed from the business because Ellis couldn't offer the high commission he was accustomed to.
‘They’re on commission, so the more they charge, the more they get. That means they try and charge as much as possible,’ Ellis explained.
When one of the services was attempted to be reached by phone, an operator at an overseas call centre answered. She seemed to lack industry knowledge but offered to send a locksmith to assist.
Despite being informed that the service was unnecessary, she called back several times.
Martin Coote, President of the Master Locksmiths Association, stated that if scammers successfully pick a lock, they frequently employ ‘standover tactics’ and deny entry until the ‘fake charges’ are paid.
‘When you do an online search for a locksmith, you’ll immediately see paid ads for so-called emergency or 24/7 locksmiths, but Australians will be shocked to know that these are scammers,’ he explained.
‘No legitimate locksmith specialises in 24/7 emergencies or sits in cars on the street waiting for the phone to ring.’
Master Locksmiths claimed that overseas criminal organisations invest as much as $150,000 monthly to ensure their advertisements rank highly in online searches.
The guild provided images of locks damaged by untrained scammers and invoices they allege overcharged customers, stating that women and vulnerable individuals are predominantly targeted.
In one instance, a homeowner in Brisbane was billed $423.50 by a scammer who not only broke the lock but also charged for its repair.
A disabled man in Sydney faced a similar fate, paying $900, which included $150 for drill bits.
Meanwhile, a woman in Melbourne was charged $1,000 to regain access to her home, expressing her trauma from the experience: ‘I live alone and have been traumatised by this.’
An international student received an even heftier bill of $2,385 for the same service.
The guild has outlined several warning signs that Australians seeking a locksmith should look out for:
Mr Ellis noted that the impact extends beyond individuals, as scammers waste valuable resources by destroying locks.
Due to the low price of metal, these broken locks are often simply discarded.
‘It's a waste because there's no way these locks can be repaired or reused or recycled,’ he shared.
‘Even when we get a callout to rekey a lock sometimes…for time's sake, we'll sometimes replace the lock because it's quicker and easier, but still charge the same price.’
‘But then we keep the old lock, and then we'll rekey it at our leisure and then reuse it. But if you're a scammer who is replacing locks and just throwing them in the bin, then that’s a lot of wastage,’ Mr Ellis added.
As Australians grapple with the alarming rise of dodgy locksmith services, it’s clear that scams are infiltrating various sectors, including the automotive industry.
Similar tactics used by unscrupulous locksmiths can also be observed in the mechanic trade, where customers are sometimes left feeling duped after unnecessary repairs and inflated charges.
This trend highlights the urgent need for vigilance among consumers, especially as they navigate essential services.
Have you or someone you know been a victim of this scam? What are your tips for finding a trustworthy locksmith? We encourage you to share your experiences and tips in the comments below.
However, what happens when the very people we turn to for help turn out to be scammers preying on our vulnerabilities?
This is the alarming situation currently unfolding across Australia, where a wave of dodgy groups has infiltrated the locksmith industry, leaving Australians hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars out of pocket.
The Master Locksmiths Association, the guild that represents qualified professionals in the locksmith industry, has issued a nationwide alert warning Australians about these scams.
They particularly target customers in distressing situations, such as when they're locked out of their homes.
It's a moment when we're most vulnerable and, therefore, more susceptible to being taken advantage of.
Master Locksmiths has issued a nationwide alert about a locksmith scam that is costing Australians hundreds to thousands of dollars. Credit: Shutterstock
These scammers lure customers with the promise of cheap $50 callouts, a fee that seems too good to be true—and it is.
This fee only covers their attendance, and customers are then hit with exorbitant charges to actually carry out the service, such as picking the lock or opening the door.
The costs can skyrocket to hundreds or even thousands of dollars, leaving customers feeling cheated and helpless.
John Ellis, a trained locksmith who runs Locksmith and Barrel in Melbourne’s west, has seen the aftermath of these scams firsthand.
He's often called to repair the damage after unqualified scammers have destroyed or damaged locks.
Ellis shared his insights, revealing that many of these scammers are not trained locksmiths and often cause unnecessary damage.
‘There are a lot listed, but if you check the reviews, you’ll see it’s a scam. They come and go. People get wise to them, and then they change their name and come back,’ he said.
‘We've been to many a job where they've failed to open the door, where they've drilled in the wrong place. They’re not trained locksmiths, and that’s the problem.’
He briefly hired one of the scammers, who admitted to being an untrained backpacker; however, the individual soon departed from the business because Ellis couldn't offer the high commission he was accustomed to.
‘They’re on commission, so the more they charge, the more they get. That means they try and charge as much as possible,’ Ellis explained.
When one of the services was attempted to be reached by phone, an operator at an overseas call centre answered. She seemed to lack industry knowledge but offered to send a locksmith to assist.
Despite being informed that the service was unnecessary, she called back several times.
Martin Coote, President of the Master Locksmiths Association, stated that if scammers successfully pick a lock, they frequently employ ‘standover tactics’ and deny entry until the ‘fake charges’ are paid.
‘When you do an online search for a locksmith, you’ll immediately see paid ads for so-called emergency or 24/7 locksmiths, but Australians will be shocked to know that these are scammers,’ he explained.
‘No legitimate locksmith specialises in 24/7 emergencies or sits in cars on the street waiting for the phone to ring.’
Master Locksmiths claimed that overseas criminal organisations invest as much as $150,000 monthly to ensure their advertisements rank highly in online searches.
The guild provided images of locks damaged by untrained scammers and invoices they allege overcharged customers, stating that women and vulnerable individuals are predominantly targeted.
In one instance, a homeowner in Brisbane was billed $423.50 by a scammer who not only broke the lock but also charged for its repair.
A disabled man in Sydney faced a similar fate, paying $900, which included $150 for drill bits.
Meanwhile, a woman in Melbourne was charged $1,000 to regain access to her home, expressing her trauma from the experience: ‘I live alone and have been traumatised by this.’
An international student received an even heftier bill of $2,385 for the same service.
The guild has outlined several warning signs that Australians seeking a locksmith should look out for:
- Websites feature phony addresses and stock images.
- Service fees are advertised between $30 and $120.
- Locksmiths arrive in unmarked vans and are not in uniform.
- Invoices include numerous additional charges.
Mr Ellis noted that the impact extends beyond individuals, as scammers waste valuable resources by destroying locks.
Due to the low price of metal, these broken locks are often simply discarded.
‘It's a waste because there's no way these locks can be repaired or reused or recycled,’ he shared.
‘Even when we get a callout to rekey a lock sometimes…for time's sake, we'll sometimes replace the lock because it's quicker and easier, but still charge the same price.’
‘But then we keep the old lock, and then we'll rekey it at our leisure and then reuse it. But if you're a scammer who is replacing locks and just throwing them in the bin, then that’s a lot of wastage,’ Mr Ellis added.
As Australians grapple with the alarming rise of dodgy locksmith services, it’s clear that scams are infiltrating various sectors, including the automotive industry.
Similar tactics used by unscrupulous locksmiths can also be observed in the mechanic trade, where customers are sometimes left feeling duped after unnecessary repairs and inflated charges.
This trend highlights the urgent need for vigilance among consumers, especially as they navigate essential services.
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