I got scammed by a locksmith — what do I do now?
If a locksmith overcharged you, deceived you, or refused to leave until you paid an inflated price, you have options. Here is exactly what to do — step by step.
Step 1: Dispute the charge with your credit card company
If you paid by credit or debit card, call your card issuer immediately and explain that you were charged an amount significantly higher than the quoted price. This is a valid basis for a chargeback. Have the original quote ready if you have it — a screenshot, email, or even a note of what you were told on the phone. Most card issuers will side with the consumer when there is clear evidence of bait-and-switch pricing.
Step 2: File a complaint with your state attorney general
Every state has a consumer protection division under the attorney general’s office. Filing a complaint creates an official record and, when enough complaints accumulate against the same operator, can trigger investigations. Search for your state attorney general consumer complaint online — most have an online form that takes about 10 minutes to complete.
Step 3: Report to the Better Business Bureau
File a complaint at bbb.org. While the BBB cannot force a refund, the complaint becomes part of the company’s public record. Enough complaints will lower their rating and warn future consumers. The BBB also contacts the business and gives them an opportunity to respond — sometimes this alone results in a partial refund.
Step 4: File a police report
Price gouging and deceptive trade practices are illegal in most states. File a police report at your local department or online if available. Be specific: you were quoted X dollars on the phone, the locksmith arrived and charged Y dollars, and refused to leave without payment. Include the phone number you called, the time of the call, and any details about the vehicle or person who arrived. Even if police cannot act immediately, the report creates a paper trail.
Step 5: Report to the FTC
File a report at reportfraud.ftc.gov. The Federal Trade Commission tracks locksmith scam complaints nationally and uses aggregated data to pursue enforcement actions against large-scale scam operations.
Step 6: Submit a report here
Submit your experience on LocksmithScam.com so we can warn others in your city. The more reports we collect about specific operators, phone numbers, and areas, the more useful this site becomes to the next person searching for a safe locksmith.
How to avoid this happening again
The best protection is finding a verified locksmith before you need one. Save a trusted local locksmith’s number in your phone now — before an emergency happens.
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Frequently asked questions
What should I do if a locksmith scammed me?
Document everything (the invoice, photos, and any texts), dispute the charge with your card issuer, and file complaints with your state attorney general’s consumer-protection office and the FTC. An honest review also warns the next person.
Can I dispute a locksmith charge on my credit card?
Yes. If you were grossly overcharged or pressured into work you didn’t agree to, contact your card issuer to dispute it as a billing dispute, with your documentation. Paying by card (not cash) is exactly why this option exists.
Where do I report a locksmith scam?
Your state attorney general’s consumer-protection office, the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov, and the Better Business Bureau. Reporting helps shut down repeat offenders who target the next victim.
Need a locksmith you can trust? Don’t gamble on a panicked search — every locksmith in our directory is screened, and Verified pros have submitted license and insurance for our team to review.
Related guides: What a locksmith should cost · Is your locksmith licensed? · Red flags of a fake locksmith · How locksmith scams work