Locksmith Fraud - A Widespread Problem
Locksmith fraud is a serious threat to consumers, particularly in large, population-dense cities. What seems like a simple online search for help often leads unsuspecting consumers straight into the hands of scam operators. These so-called “locksmiths” frequently misrepresent themselves online, offering unrealistically low prices, only to gouge customers with excessive hidden fees-often though intentional damage to locks to justify increased fees and even intimidation.
A landmark investigation by The New York Times uncovered the inner workings of these deceptive practices, revealing that many listings are linked to foreign “call centers that dispatch unskilled subcontractors who use deceptive tactics to get jobs and then overcharge customers” (NYT, 2016). These fraudulent listings often appear legitimate to unsuspecting consummers, but they use fake business names, non-existent addresses, and falsified reviews to dominate Google’s search results.
Despite being aware of the problem, Google has struggled to adequately enforce the rules on the Maps platform. As The Wall Street Journal reported, “Google Maps is littered with millions of false business addresses… deceiving customers and robbing legitimate businesses of work.” The report goes on to say that Google’s platform “hosts more false listings than legitimate ones in certain categories, including locksmiths” (WSJ, 2019).
The consequences are real: consumers are misled, scammed, and sometimes endangered. Meanwhile, ethical, licensed locksmiths are pushed out of visibility in search results. Without decisive action from platforms like Google, Yelp, and others, the fraud continues to thrive unchecked.