The article reports a sharp rise in locksmith scams in the UK, focusing on people who are locked out and then pressured into paying hugely inflated charges for straightforward work. It matters because the scams appear to exploit moments of stress and urgency, while scam firms can look credible online through sponsored search results, polished websites and glowing reviews. The piece argues that even people who consider themselves alert to fraud can be caught out when they need fast help.

A central case involves Sarah, a 30-year-old mother, who was locked out with her three-month-old baby and ended up paying £2,209 after a locksmith said her supposedly high-security lock had to be drilled and then claimed extra internal damage needed repairing. The article says locksmith scams rose by 147% between January and March compared with the same period last year, and identifies a common swindle known as a “49-er”, where an attractively low starting price bears little relation to the final bill. The writer also describes nearly being caught by a similar tactic over the May bank holiday, after being quoted £45 to £80 on the phone but then told on arrival the job would cost £250, plus a £45 call-out fee.