Coventry Master Locksmith Association Member Urges Awareness of Rogue Locksmiths Amid Spikes in Complaints
-- Eydens Locksmiths and Security, a long-established Coventry-based locksmith and security solutions provider, has warned residents and businesses to be cautious amid a reported 25% rise in complaints about rogue companies and traders.
The family-owned firm, established in 1998 and now operating across the broader West Midlands, has shared advice and tips to help homeowners and commercial clients verify the credentials of any locksmith they may be considering.
Documented Rises in Rogue Traders and Locksmith Scams
Reports from the Master Locksmith Association (MLA), a membership organisation which Eydens is a part of, indicate that:
- It received 350 complaints in 2024, although the true number of instances is expected to be significantly higher
- Issues with consumers being scammed or tricked have risen 25% year on year
- Most occur when rogue traders exploit vulnerable victims who may not recognise they are dealing with an unscrupulous or fraudulent person.
So-called ‘bait and switch’ scams are among the most commonly reported, where locksmiths often advertise via social media, respond to an emergency enquiry with an unfeasibly low quotation, leveraging urgency and desperation to encourage a homeowner or business to agree.
Once the trader arrives on site, the price can increase multiple times over, with the victim either left with no option but to pay the demanded amount or intimidated into paying for substandard service that could leave their property or premises vulnerable to break-ins.
Concerns Within the Locksmith Sector About Scams and Fraud
The Eydens Locksmiths and Security team advise that the rise in incidents could be linked to several factors, including:
- A greater reliance on unverified social media advertising to find local tradespeople
- The lack of industry regulation, with MLA membership strongly advisable but not mandatory
- The ease with which fake traders can steal the name, logo and information of a credible locksmith, or purport to be ‘police approved’ without this information being checked
Company owner Rob Eyden from Eydens says, ‘Any time you need to call a locksmith can be highly stressful, but it is extremely important to raise awareness of the prevalence of scams. When you’re looking for help in an emergency, it’s easier than ever to be sucked into a poor-quality service or be one of the thousands who are tricked into hiring an unqualified and unethical tradesperson.
Whether you’ve had a burglary, lost your keys, had a bag snatched or are dealing with a broken lock, either having the number for a trusted locksmith saved in your phone, or knowing how to spot a fraudster will protect you from unnecessary stress and cost.’
Advice on Verifying That a Locksmith is Reputable and Reliable
Rob says, ‘The best starting point is to have a quick check that a locksmith is registered with the MLA. You can do this on the organisation’s website by clicking on the ‘Locksmith Near Me’ button and entering your postcode or location, it takes just a minute or two.
Another is to ensure you speak to a real person over the phone, and to be wary of any pressure, vague promises, guarantees of a ‘good price’ or a lack of transparency about what you’re going to be charged for a callout and for the key cutting or lock replacement services you need.
If you’ve already been a victim of fraud, you may also be able to get support to try to recoup some or all of your lost funds, depending on how you’ve paid. You are protected by the Consumer Credit Act, even though the UK locksmith sector isn’t subject to compulsory regulation.
Consumers and businesses can also get in touch with Action Fraud, Trading Standards and Citizens Advice and are encouraged to report incidents to the MLA to aid in ongoing work to combat the rise in fraud and scams.’
About Eydens Locksmiths and Security
Eydens has been trading for 28 years and is still today led by founder Robert Eydens. It offers a comprehensive range of locksmith services, from emergency callouts and commercial security advisory to alarm installations and access control systems.
Those looking for locksmith assistance or security guidance can contact the firm by phone, request a callback through the company’s website, or visit Eyden's premises at Wallace Road, Coventry, which is open Monday to Saturday.
Read more about Eydens Locksmiths and Security - Security Specialists at Eydens Locksmiths Clarify Why Quality Locks and Alarms Are Vital for Coventry Businesses
About the company: Eydens Locksmiths and Security have over 20 years of experience providing professional, fast and reliable locksmith and security solution services to residential and commercial clients in Coventry, Rugby, Nuneaton, Bedworth, Kenilworth, Leamington, Stratford upon Avon and Warwick, and are members of the MLA.
Contact Info:
Name: Rob Eyden
Email: Send Email
Organization: Eydens Locksmiths and Security
Website: https://www.eydens.co.uk/
Release ID: 89181498
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