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Secret Filming Exposes London's Locksmith Scammers

BBC London

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This is what unfolded after the BBC went undercover and exposed a scam Locksmith company.
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The scam involves baiting a customer with an initial cheap quote for getting them back into their house before adding on hidden charges and carrying out unnecessary work that leads to spiralling costs.⁣
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As part of the BBC's investigation, the company involved - calling themselves 24/7 Locksmiths UK - was secretly filmed trying to charge up to 10 times the original quote for the job.⁣
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Shortly after being challenged by the BBC at the property, the company called us and said there had been a miscommunication and the person giving the phone quote couldn’t know what type of lock it was.

They did not respond to further requests for a response to our findings. And since the BBC's approach, the firm appears to have shut down its website.⁣

#london #locksmith #investigation #bbclondon

20 Comments

@bbclondon Creator 4 months ago Pinned

Want the full story? Watch how London’s locksmith scammers were exposed here 👉 https://bbc.in/4en7mKS

@xxk3rd196 5 months ago

This journalism is most important: expose scammers

@Greenpoloboy3 5 months ago

People like this need exposing and then arresting. Need far far more of this

@bigblueocean 5 months ago

How do these people sleep at night? Utter scum bags ripping old people off.

@aflentertainment 5 months ago

The locksmith didn't even do a security check to make sure that he wasn't assisting a break in 😂🤣

@Michelle-b8n1f 5 months ago

How disgusting to rob people when they are vulnerable and have to gain access to their homes.

@ImdaPrincesse 5 months ago

It's cheaper to punch out a window.

@wildnfree101 5 months ago

Leave a spare key at a relatives house.

@TheStevenWhiting 5 months ago

Any locksmith that drills a lock is a scammer.

@AitchC 5 months ago (edited)

Tradesmen are taking the piss with their prices. Needs better regulation

@Lemon22i 5 months ago

Why did you confront him when he went and sat in his car?
You could’ve intercepted him at any other point and he wouldn’t have been able to run away

@hrage5959 5 months ago

Before paying the bill he should have been confronted he either runs away from money or defend himself

@save400 5 months ago

I had 3 locksmith called in the last year, they all behaved same as in this video. I thought this is a standard practice. People will be shocked learning that we should be receiving a better service.

@CLee-qi8dn 5 months ago

BBC this is the kind of reporting we need you to do REGULARLY to protect local citizens interests!!! ❤

@atletidemadrid 5 months ago

Why was she so slow to confront him

@flabbybum9562 5 months ago

Unbelievable this sort of stuff has been going on for decades. When are the scammers going to start doing serious time in jail, face eye watering fines, and get barred for life from offering any public service?

@mohabatullahmoheb390 5 months ago

People who exploits worst situations are opportunists.

Everyone, do not ever lose your keys.

@raybloodypurchase1941 5 months ago

These crooks always catch you at your worst possible moment. Had one that refused to leave unless I paid the £100 fallout fee but buggered off when I said I'd ring the police.

About time this was exposed.

@domfrain 5 months ago

The BBC could have given some direction here on how to find a reputable locksmith

@neosoul 5 months ago

All of this man's assets need to be seized by HMRC, to pay back the people he scammed & his UK citizenship needs to be revoked. Then after he has served his sentence in prison, he should be booted out of the country for good. No mercy for men with absolutely no integrity & honour that cheats elderly vulnerable people.