How to Avoid Car-Key & Locksmith Scams
Most locksmiths are honest local pros. But a stressful lockout is exactly when a small number of bad actors strike — with a too-good price on the phone that balloons once they arrive. Here's how to protect yourself.
How the classic scam works
The Federal Trade Commission has warned consumers about this pattern for years: a locksmith advertises a very low price (say "$15 service call"), often through an ad that appears local but routes to a distant call center. When the technician arrives, the quoted price doesn't apply — they claim your lock is "high security," demand far more in cash, and pressure you to agree because you're stranded. Some even drill a lock that didn't need drilling, then charge to replace it.
Red flags to watch for
- A price that's too good to be true. A real automotive key with programming can't be done for a few dollars. A teaser price usually means a bigger bill on arrival.
- No business name. Watch for someone who answers the phone with a generic "locksmith services" rather than a company name, or won't give one.
- An unmarked vehicle. Reputable mobile locksmiths arrive in a vehicle with their business name on it.
- Cash only, and pressure to decide now. Insisting on cash and rushing you are warning signs.
- "We have to drill it." Most car lockouts and even most lock issues do not require destroying the lock. Be skeptical of an immediate jump to drilling.
How to hire safely
- Get the full price before any work starts — including any service-call or after-hours fee — and in writing if you can. A legitimate locksmith will give it.
- Ask for the company name and confirm it matches the vehicle and any invoice.
- Ask about credentials. Many states — including Colorado and Oregon — don't license locksmiths statewide, so instead confirm the business identity and insurance, and for automotive key work you can ask whether they participate in NASTF, the national vehicle-security network.
- Have your ID and proof of ownership ready. An honest locksmith wants to verify the car is yours — that's a good sign, not a hassle.
- Trust your gut. If the price changes on arrival or you feel pressured, you're free to decline and call someone else.
If you've been overcharged
If you believe you were the victim of a bait-and-switch, you can dispute the charge with your card issuer and report the business to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov and to your state attorney general's consumer-protection office. Reporting helps regulators spot and shut down repeat offenders.
Car-key & lockout guides
A calm step-by-step to get back in fast — without damaging your car.
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Read the guide → What does a new key cost?Honest 2026 price ranges by key type, and how to avoid overpaying.
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Read the guide → Key types, explainedTransponder vs. fob vs. smart key — what's inside, and why it costs what it does.
Read the guide → Get a spare key madeWhy a spare is cheaper than you think — and how to get one cut and programmed.
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Read the guide → How long to make a key?Realistic timeframes by key type — and what can speed it up or slow it down.
Read the guide → Key broke off in the lock?How to avoid making it worse — and what extraction actually involves.
Read the guide → Locksmith or dealership?A straight comparison — and the cases where only a dealer will do.
Read the guide →This guide is general information for educational purposes only — not professional automotive, security, or safety advice. If a child or pet is locked in a vehicle in heat or cold, call 911 immediately. Costs and procedures vary by vehicle, key type, and locksmith, and change over time. Confirm specifics with a qualified automotive locksmith and your vehicle's owner's manual before acting.