Bait and Switch Rogue Locksmiths

🚨 Beware of Bait-and-Switch Locksmith Adverts 🔑

Ever searched for a locksmith and clicked a sponsored advert showing a low call-out price, only to be quoted something completely different once the locksmith arrives?

This can be a warning sign of bait-and-switch advertising — where an attractive price is used to generate the initial enquiry, but the final cost may be significantly higher.

Before booking a locksmith:

🔎 Check the company name and reviews carefully.💷 Ask for the full call-out price and likely total cost before agreeing to the work.📞 Ask whether the person answering the phone actually works for the advertised company.🧾 Request an itemised invoice.⚠️ Be cautious of adverts that make unusually low price claims without clearly explaining what is included.

Sponsored placement on a search engine doesn't necessarily mean the business is recommended or endorsed by the search engine.

If you've experienced a locksmith advert that you believe was misleading, keep screenshots of the advert, messages and invoices. These can be useful if you decide to report the matter to the relevant consumer-protection or advertising authority.

A cheap-looking advert can become an expensive call-out — check the details before you agree to anything. 🔐