Contact police if you feel threatened or suspect criminal activity
Call 000 in an emergency
Call 131 444 for non-urgent assistance
To report a scam locksmith
Contact the Office of Fair Trading (OFT)
Phone: 13 QGOV (13 74 68)
Website: OFT Queensland https://www.qld.gov.au/law/fair-trading
Scam Locksmiths in Brisbane
There are scam locksmiths operating in Brisbane, lots of them. Most commonly found advertising their ‘services’ using Google Ads in the evening and over the weekend.
They will commonly lure customers by advertising a very low call-out fee, only for the price to change considerably once they arrive at your home or business. Often, they will not be able to open a lock using gain entry techniques, instead, they will destroy the lock or the door, or both, and demand large sums of money to fit a new lock and/or fix the door.
Common Locksmith Scam Tactics
These fake locksmiths use a range of tactics to scam home and business owners out of large amounts of money during times when they’re generally already stressed. Some common tactics include:
- Bait-and-Switch Pricing – Offering low prices over the phone but charging much higher fees in person
- Cash-Only Payments – Requesting cash payments to avoid traceability
- Intentional Damage – Damaging locks or doors to justify repairs and then adding extra charges
- Unnecessary Repairs – Pushing for extra services that aren't needed
How to Spot a Scam Locksmith
Fortunately, there are some signs you can look for to spot a scam locksmith before they cause extensive and unnecessary damage and stress.
Service Vehicles
We all know a tradies ute when we see it. A legitimate locksmith business will generally operate from a clearly identifiable service vehicle. If you book a locksmith to attend your home or business you can expect them to arrive driving an identifiable service vehicle, usually a ute or a van, displaying their business name and security license number. A legitimate locksmith will not be operating out of the boot of a passenger vehicle. A legitimate locksmith needs to carry a lot of tools, and a lot of stock, so they need a dedicated service vehicle. If you book a locksmith, and that locksmith arrives driving something other than a readily identifiable service vehicle, do yourself a favour… call another locksmith.
Uniforms
An employee of a legitimate locksmith business will generally be required to wear a uniform, and that uniform will generally display the logo or branding of the business that employs them. Furthermore, they will be required to wear footwear appropriate to their occupation. If a ‘locksmith’ arrives at your home or business wearing a casual shirt and thongs this person is probably not the person you should be trusting to ensure the security and safety of your home or business.
Advertising
All businesses want to communicate effectively with potential customers. One of the best ways for a business to achieve this is by advertising. Good advertising ‘speaks’ to potential customers using language they understand, thereby communicating effectively.
One of the ways to spot a scam business is to look at the language they use. If they incorrectly spell words, use the wrong punctuation or no punctuation at all, it’s likely a scam. (Think scam email… sorry to tell you the Nigerian king’s nephew is not related to you, and even if he was, he would be able to spell Nigeereea correctly). So pay attention to the little things, they are a good indicator as to whether a business is legitimate or a scam.
A good example of spotting the little things and one of the dead-set giveaways that you’re looking at a scam locksmith website is the use of the term ‘Licensed & Bonded’. This is a term commonly used by trade businesses in the US, referring to trade qualifications and surety bonds. This term is not used in Australia.
As someone who has worked in the Australian security industry for over 20 years I have never heard of a legitimate business that refers to themselves as bonded. Businesses in Australia are not bonded, they are insured. You will never encounter a legitimate business in Australia advertising that they are bonded. If you see a locksmith in Australia using the term Licensed & Bonded you are probably looking at a scam locksmith.
Contact Forms
A contact form on a website is pretty common, and it’s a great way to make initial contact with a locksmith business. But, consider how much information you are being asked to provide. If an online contact form requires you to provide your address, or your credit card details, you are more than likely engaging with a scam locksmith. Legitimate locksmiths will not require this information through an online form, especially not banking details. All payment information will be discussed with you in-person.
Phone Numbers
When booking a locksmith, look at the number you’re about to call. Does it look like a phone number for a local business? Most locally operated locksmith businesses in Brisbane will have a phone number that begins with 07 followed by a 3. If they don’t, consider calling another business that does.
Website
A businesses’ website is the first point of contact for many customers. A professionally developed website owned by a legitimate business should provide detailed information about the business and the services they offer. You should be able to find information detailing who the business is, where the business is located and what the business does. A legitimate businesses’ website is not solely focused on capturing your personal information and credit card details. If you’re looking at a locksmith business webpage, and every click takes you to a contact form, you’re probably looking at a scam locksmith website.
Location
Where is the business located? I mean, where are they really? A Google Maps ‘Drop Pin’ is not necessarily a reliable indicator of where a business is located. Have a look at the Google Maps ‘Street View’. Is there a locksmith business at the address? If not, there’s a good chance the business is a scam. A legitimate locksmith business wants customers to find them easily. Their business address will be clearly displayed and their business front will be visible on Google Maps. If you can’t readily identify where a locksmith business operates from, you probably shouldn’t engage with that business.
Call Centres
When you call a business, any business, they should know who they are and what they do. Often, when a call is made to a scam locksmith the call will connect to a call centre operator, often based overseas. The call centre will most likely be handling enquiries from numerous websites, all of which offer trade services, such as plumbers, electricians, locksmiths, and more, all unlicensed, all scams.
As such, the call centre operator will not necessarily know who they ‘work’ for. They will struggle to identify themselves as a representative of a particular business. They will not be able to provide specifics as to what the business does and they will push you for personal information and credit card details.
Bottom line here, if you do call a scam locksmith it should be quite obvious. Hang up immediately.
Finding a Trustworthy Locksmith
In addition to the above indicators that a locksmith is a scam, there are a few other key things you can do to find a legitimate and trustworthy locksmith in Brisbane, including:
Check for Licensing
Ensure the locksmith is licensed under the Security Providers Act 1993 (SPA). You can verify the license of any legitimate locksmith in Queensland on the Office of Fair Trading’s website: https://www.qld.gov.au/law/fair-trading
All locksmiths working in Qld are legally required to hold a Qld Security Provider license – Class 2 Security Equipment Installer. If they don’t have one they are not licensed to install security equipment in Qld.
You can search by name to find out if an individual holds a security license or you can search by license number to ensure a security license is valid. If the person’s name or number don’t appear on the register, then they are not legitimate.
It’s important to note that a person who holds a security license will not be offended or insulted if asked to produce it. Far from it. A licensed security professional will be happy to provide their license if requested. We are here to make you feel safe and secure in your home or business, and that includes verifying ourselves and our licensing.
In Queensland, an entity that employs security providers must also hold a Security Firm License. Before engaging in any business with a locksmith, ensure that they are licensed.
So, when you next contact a locksmith for support, keep two things in mind:
- In Queensland, a locksmith business must be licensed,
- AND, the locksmith, the individual, must be licensed.
Confirm both before handing over any personal information or money to protect yourself from scams.
Look for Professional Associations
Choose locksmiths who are members of reputable organisations like the Master Locksmiths Association of Australasia (MLAA). ‘Locksmith’ is not a protected title in Australia, this means that un-trained, un-qualified individuals can call themselves ‘locksmiths’. However, Master Locksmiths are the most reliable, qualified and trustworthy security professionals.
To join the MLAA, locksmith businesses must:
- Employ fully trade-qualified locksmiths,
- Pass police checks,
- Be vetted by their industry peers,
- Meet strict requirements for insurance and licences,
- Adhere to a Code of Ethics.
Master Locksmiths are able to identify themselves to the public using a Trust Badge and will be able to be found through services such as, Find a Master Locksmith. The MLAA is committed to ensuring the safety and security of communities by separating the fraudulent ‘locksmiths’ from the reliable, Master Locksmiths.
So, when you’re looking for a locksmith, make sure to choose a Master Locksmith, and remember that you can ask them to produce their trust badge to identify themselves.
Read Reviews
One of the commonly overlooked methods for choosing a trusted business is checking the reviews. For trusted locksmiths, their reputation means everything and they will stand behind it.
When searching for a locksmith online, check the reviews on multiple platforms to get a comprehensive view of the locksmith’s reputation. If there are no reviews available, they’re likely a scam. Or, if there are a few negative reviews, take notice and look for another option.
Get Quotes
Get a quote before engaging the services of a locksmith. Better yet, contact several locksmiths to compare prices and services. Avoid those who offer suspiciously low prices or those unwilling to provide a formal quote.
Legitimate locksmiths in Brisbane will be happy to provide you with a clear, upfront quote for their services and explain the cost breakdown for you. By getting multiple quotes, you can get a clear, accurate idea of how much your job should cost and why. Any quotes that land significantly outside the average quoted amount (above or below) are likely scams.
Protect Your Peace of Mind with a Trustworthy Locksmith
By knowing the leading signs of a scam business and taking proactive steps before making a call or giving away your sensitive information, you can help protect yourself and others from falling victim to locksmith scams.
If you need more specific recommendations or have any other questions, feel free to contact us. Our experienced team at Amalgamated Locksmiths have been securing Brisbane for more than two decades and are committed to promoting a safer community for all. Whether you’re locked out or just need advice, we are ready to help.