Broward County, FL
How to Spot a Locksmith Scam. Before You Open the Door.
Fake locksmith listings are everywhere in South Florida. A $19 quote on the phone turns into $400 at your door, and a lock that could have been picked gets drilled. I'm Joe, a local owner-operated locksmith, and here is how the scam works and how to avoid it.
8 Red Flags of a Locksmith Scam
Any one of these is a reason to slow down. Two or more and you should hang up and call someone else.
How the Locksmith Bait-and-Switch Works
Knowing the script makes it easy to recognize. Here is what usually happens and how to protect yourself.
Step 1: The Ad
You search "locksmith near me" while you are standing outside a locked door. The top results include listings with generic names like "Locksmith Boca Raton 24 Hr" and a local-looking phone number. Behind many of them is an out-of-state call center, not a local business.
Step 2: The Phone Quote
The dispatcher quotes a very low price, often $15 to $39, and will not give a total. That number is only the trip fee, but they do not say so. Then your job is passed to a subcontractor who gets paid from whatever they can collect at your door.
Step 3: At Your Door
The tech arrives, often late and in a personal car. Suddenly your lock is "high security" or "can't be picked," so it has to be drilled and replaced. You are stuck outside, so you agree. The final bill is several times the phone quote, and some will only take cash.
How to Protect Yourself
Before anyone is sent, ask for the company's legal name and a total price range, not just a service fee. Look the company up and read its reviews. When the locksmith arrives, ask for ID and confirm the price before any work starts. Get a written invoice with the business name on it. If the price suddenly changes, you can say no and send them away. It costs less than paying an inflated bill.
If You Already Got Scammed
Call your credit card company and dispute the charge, especially if the final price was far above the phone quote. Report the business to the Florida Attorney General and leave an honest review so the next person sees it. If a bogus listing is on Google Maps, use the "Suggest an edit" option to report it.
How I Do It Differently
PBC Locksmith is just me, Joe. The person who answers your call is the person who shows up, in uniform, in a marked vehicle. I quote every job before I start, and the price I quote is the price you pay. I always try non-destructive entry first, and every job carries a 1-year warranty. You can read hundreds of 5-star reviews under the same name on Google, Yelp and Thumbtack. Locked out right now? Read what to do before you call a locksmith.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if a locksmith is legit?
Ask for the company's legal name and look it up before they come. Check for a long history of real reviews under that name, ask for ID when they arrive, and get a price range on the phone and a written invoice at the end.
Why did the locksmith charge so much more than the phone quote?
That is the classic bait-and-switch. The low phone price was only a trip fee, and the rest was added at your door. If you were not told the total in advance, dispute the charge with your card company.
Does a locksmith need to drill my lock to get me in?
Usually not. Most house and car lockouts can be opened without damage using professional picking and bypass tools. Drilling should be the last resort, and a good locksmith explains why before doing it.
Are "24 hour locksmith" ads a red flag?
Not always, but many fake listings use 24-hour names to get your call at night, when you are least likely to shop around. Check the business name and reviews either way.
How do you price your work?
I quote every job individually before any work starts. Estimates are free, and the price I quote is the price you pay.
A Locksmith You Can Check Out First
Owner-operated in Palm Beach and Broward County, 7 days a week from 9 AM to 7 PM. Pick your city below, or see the full list of towns.
Want a Straight Quote?
Call or text and you will reach Joe directly — the price he quotes is the price you pay.
Request a Quote or Callback
Out of hours, or don't feel like talking? Leave your details and Joe will get back to you — usually the same day, and always before he shows up.