Beware the £49ers — How Rogue Locksmiths Are Scamming UK Homeowners
Within the locksmith industry — and increasingly across other trades — a certain type of rogue operator has earned the nickname “the £49ers.” The name comes from their well-known tactic of advertising an appealing £49 call-out price to get a foot in the door. For anyone locked out of their home in a panic, that figure can seem like a relief. Unfortunately, it is almost always too good to be true.
How the Scam Works
This is known as a “bait-and-switch” scam — a low price of £49 is quoted to secure the job, but once the operative arrives, the price skyrockets. There are usually several warning signs from the moment they turn up: they may arrive in an unmarked car rather than a sign-written van, and they are unlikely to be wearing any kind of uniform or carry proper identification. Master Locksmiths Association
More worryingly, many of these individuals are not qualified locksmiths at all. The UK locksmith industry currently has no mandatory government regulation, meaning anyone can buy a set of lock picks, watch a few videos online, and call themselves a professional — with no compulsory licensing or background checks required by law. What often turns up at your door is essentially a handyman with no formal training.
A trained locksmith will always attempt to pick or manipulate your lock open before resorting to drilling — it is a last resort. Rogue operators can often be identified by the fact they immediately attempt to drill your lock, causing unnecessary damage to your door and frames that would never occur with a competent professional.
The Real Cost
Once they have finally got you inside, the true sting arrives — the bill. Some victims have been charged over £1,000 for a simple lockout, with one shocking case reaching £1,800. A BBC London investigation in early 2026 found that scam locksmith victims saw their initial £49 quotes skyrocket to an average final bill of £700, with some residents reporting bills as high as £2,862 for a single door opening.
To add insult to injury, your existing lock will likely be drilled out and replaced with a cheap, low-quality cylinder — the kind that retails for around £10 at B&Q — rather than a proper British Standard lock, leaving your home less secure than before.
Why This Is Getting Worse
Reports of rogue locksmith scams have risen by 66% since 2021, according to the Master Locksmiths Association (MLA), the UK’s largest locksmith trade body. A concerning rise in fake reviews on locksmiths’ Google profiles is also being seen, making it harder than ever to spot the bad operators.
These are not one-man bands acting alone — scammers often pay for “Sponsored” ads at the very top of Google search results to catch people at their most vulnerable. The companies behind them run large-scale operations, hiring so-called operatives on a self-employed basis with little or no interest in whether they are qualified, insured, or vetted.
Websites used by these companies often make false claims of being “Certified,” “Vetted,” “DBS Checked,” or even “Police Recommended” — none of which are typically verified.
How to Protect Yourself
- Avoid sponsored Google ads with prices of £39, £49, or £59 — these are classic bait prices.
- Ask for a full quote before anyone arrives, including the cost of parts and labour.
- Check for MLA approval — the Master Locksmiths Association vets, inspects, and checks the criminal records of its members. You can verify any locksmith at locksmiths.co.uk.
- Look for a sign-written van, uniform, and ID when the locksmith arrives.
- Never let drilling begin without question — a professional should attempt to pick the lock first.
- If you believe you were misled by an online advert, you can report it to the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA).
The best advice of all is to save the number of a trusted, local, MLA-approved locksmith in your phone before you ever need one. In a stressful emergency, having that number already to hand means you will never be tempted by a suspiciously cheap Google ad.
