Don’t Get Scamed
How to Avoid Locksmith Scams
There are no $49 locksmiths. Here is how the scam works and how to hire a real one.
There Are No $49 Locksmiths. It Is a Scam.
When you are quoted a rock-bottom locksmith price, you will ultimately pay hundreds more than a legitimate company would charge. ACME Locksmith, a licensed Phoenix company in business since 1997, gets two to three calls a week from people taken by price gouging locksmiths. The pattern is always the same: a low trip charge was quoted, then a bill that explodes once they arrive. One woman’s $39 rekey quote became a $1200 bill after the crew claimed her locks had to be replaced with high-security locks, both untrue. The fix is simple: always get the total price, or the price per lock and key, before you hire anyone. Knowing how to choose a locksmith is your best protection, and this page shows you how. We serve Phoenix, Mesa, Scottsdale, Gilbert, and the Valley.
Were You Scammed by a Locksmith?
If several of these sound familiar, you were.
Unmarked van and receipt
They arrive in a vehicle with no company name and hand you a receipt with no company name or phone number. This is so you cannot find them afterward to complain.
The price jumps 5X or more
The low phone quote disappears. They claim your locks are high quality and cannot be picked or rekeyed, so they must be drilled and replaced. This customer was quoted $15 and handed a bill for $572.
The fake discount and review
When they present the customer with a HUGE bill, the customers often express shock.
They then offer a few hundred dollars discount in exchange for a 5-star review! Customers comply. Even after the discount the can end up paying up to 5X the normal rates.
How the Scam Works
A senior citizen searched Google for ACME Locksmith and called the first ad, which was not us.
The company answered yes when asked if they were ACME locksmith. They arrived for a one-door rekey that should cost about $125 (in 2024). They charged $328 for under 30 minutes of work, claiming they drilled and installed a new lock when no work was actually done.
Fraudulent companies answer the phone with just “Locksmith” and say yes to any company name you ask for. They will say anything to book your call.
How to Hire a Locksmith You Can Trust
Hire a licensed company
Almost everyone claims to be licensed and bonded. Ask for the ROC license number to confirm. There are fewer than 12 licensed locksmiths in the Phoenix metro.
Real reviews take time
Real reviews build up slowly. Any company earning several reviews a day is a red flag. Reviews are HARD to get and getting several a day, hundreds a month, can indicate that they are buying the reviews.
You can also click the customer that wrote the review. Can you see all of their written reviews? If the customer has made their account private, it’s a sign that they’re hiding something.
Look for the bad reviews
A company with 500 perfect reviews and zero bad ones is suspect. If a negative review mentions price switching, look elsewhere.
Demand an exact price
For common jobs like rekeys, lockouts, and car keys, a real locksmith knows the price. Refuse “plus labor” quotes and any change once they arrive.
Know the fair cost
Most people who get scammed simply do not know what a locksmith should cost. Read our locksmith cost guide before you call.
Watch for the review bribe
Anyone offering a discount in exchange for a 5-star review on the spot is hiding an inflated bill. Walk away.
How to Spot Fake Reviews
Watch Out for KeyMe Kiosk Fake Locksmith Listings
One of the biggest scams in our industry is not a person, it is a machine. KeyMe puts automated key-copying kiosks inside stores like Fry’s and Bed Bath and Beyond, then lists those kiosks on Google as locksmith shops.
There is no locksmith at those addresses, no one to hand your lock to, and no one to program a car key. In Phoenix alone KeyMe has posted more than 50 of these fake locksmith locations, and over 2,300 across the country (at the time of this writing).
Here is why it matters. When you search locksmith near me, Google ranks by distance, so a KeyMe kiosk often lands in the top spot right down the street from you and pushes the real, licensed, local locksmith down the page. Drive there and you have wasted a trip to a key machine. Call the local number on the listing and it routes to an out-of-state dispatch center that marks up whoever they send. If a listing leads to a kiosk instead of a staffed shop, it is not a locksmith.
We are a real Phoenix locksmith with four staffed shops and licensed technicians. If you want a person, not a vending machine, call ACME.
Serving the Phoenix Valley
We serve the entire Phoenix Valley from four shops: Phoenix, Mesa, Scottsdale, and Gilbert, with mobile service across the metro.
Real Reviews, Earned Over 25+ Years
-
Matt came to rekey two locks and replace two other locks. Matt was very professional, friendly and helpful. He got the work done efficiently and was very patient in explaining the lock features. Would highly recommend Matt and his company. … More
-
I went to Acme locksmith looking for specific keys. I ran out of time before i headed to work but David was amazing. He answered all ofMy questions and concerns. My key was made quickly. Highly recommend this place for all your needs. … More Ask for David!! I actually used these guys a second time to get my RV locks rekeyed. Max was beyond helpful!! I highly recommend these guys for all of your lock & key needs!
-
Got help from Erin after hours. He was very helpful and quick to respond and give a quote which is great to have when your locked out.
The price is reasonable for after hours service on a weekend. It was a simple lock within a close radius … More of their working area. If it's electronic it's going to be more expensive, if it's outside the radius of their office it's going to be more expensive.
Locksmith Scam FAQ
What can I do if a locksmith already overcharged me?
Get the company’s real name and license off the receipt, dispute the charge with your card company, and file a complaint with the Arizona ROC and the Attorney General. An honest review also warns the next person.
Hire a Licensed Phoenix Locksmith
Upfront pricing, marked vehicles, and 25+ years of real reviews. Call ACME Locksmith.
