A reader's letter published by the Guardian recounts being defrauded by a locksmith after booking through a company advertised at the top of a Google search, highlighting concerns about a poorly regulated industry that preys on people locked out of their homes. The letter follows an earlier Guardian investigation into the rise of locksmith scams and adds a first-hand account of how such schemes operate, including collusion between the person who takes the booking and the tradesperson who attends.

The writer, Chris Lohan from Bristol, was charged £490 for a broken lock repair, only to later discover the replacement part cost just £15 on Amazon. Attempts to complain to the advertised phone number and the technician directly were rebuffed or ignored, so Lohan ultimately fixed the lock himself after watching online tutorials and sourcing a proper high-security replacement. The letter calls for greater regulation of the locksmith trade, arguing it is rife with opportunists exploiting customers' anxiety and lack of specialist knowledge.