How to Avoid Locksmith Scams in Las Vegas
The $19 locksmith ad is bait for a bill of $200 or more, and the scam only works when you skip a few quick checks. Get the legal business name, the license number and the full price on the phone.
In This Guide
How the Switch Works
The scheme starts with ads for a service call at $15 or $19. The person who answers will not commit to a total. Someone arrives, looks at an ordinary lock and says it cannot be picked. Drilling becomes the only choice, a new lock gets sold at a markup, and the job becomes $250 or more, often in cash.
The FTC has warned that one operator can run many listings under different names, all sent to the same dispatch desk far from the caller. So check the name and the license, not just the listing.
Six Checks
| Pattern | What to Do |
|---|---|
| Teaser price | Ask for the full price with parts, labor and any night charge. |
| No company name | Ask for the legal business name, then search it. |
| No license number | Ask for it and look it up. |
| Instant drilling | Ask why. Most house locks open without damage. |
| Price jump at the door | Say no, and call someone else. |
| Cash only | Ask for a receipt with the company name on it. |
One failed check is enough reason to hang up. That goes for us too. Our number is P64-00012, and here is how to look it up.
Where to Report It
File with the FTC and with the Nevada Attorney General.