You're locked out of your car at 10 PM. You're stressed, alone, and you need help fast. So you do what everyone does — you Google "locksmith near me." You call the first number you see. A van shows up 20 minutes later. And by the end of the night, you've been charged $400 for a job worth $60, your lock has been destroyed, and the "locksmith" is long gone.
Locksmith scams are one of the most common consumer frauds in the country, and Metro Detroit is no exception. These fake operators flood Google with fake listings, fake reviews, and fake addresses. Knowing how to spot them before you make that call could save you hundreds of dollars — and your safety.
The Bait-and-Switch Playbook
Fake locksmiths have a proven formula. They advertise an impossibly low service call fee — sometimes $15 to $35 — to get you to pick up the phone. Once they arrive and you're already in a desperate situation, the story changes. Suddenly the job "requires drilling," the lock needs to be "fully replaced," or there are hidden fees buried in fine print you never saw. Refuse and they leave you stranded. Agree and you're paying 5x the real cost.
Side by Side: Fake vs. Legit
Fake Locksmith
- No physical address or a fake one
- Unmarked van or personal vehicle
- Quote changes dramatically on arrival
- Drills locks as a first resort
- Cash only, no receipt
- Refuses to show ID or license
- Spammy Google listing with stock photos
- Reviews are vague and mass-posted
- Answers generic names like "City Locksmith"
- No proof of insurance or bonding
Legit Locksmith
- Verified physical business address
- Branded company vehicle
- Upfront flat-rate or transparent pricing
- Picks or decodes as a first resort
- Accepts cards, provides invoices
- Carries ID and state license willingly
- Real Google Business Profile with real photos
- Specific, detailed reviews over time
- Answers with the actual company name
- Licensed, bonded, and insured — provably
Red Flags to Catch Before You Call
Before you dial, do a 60-second check. Search the company name plus "scam" or "reviews." Look up their address on Google Maps — if it's a parking lot, a random house, or doesn't exist, hang up. A legitimate locksmith will have a consistent web presence, a real street address, and a phone number that matches the business name when they answer.
When they arrive, ask to see their ID and ask for a written estimate before they touch anything. A real pro has no problem with this. A scammer will stall, deflect, or suddenly need to "check the lock first." That's your cue to walk away.
Why Fake Locksmiths Drill
Drilling a lock is almost never necessary for a lockout. It is a last resort reserved for locks that are jammed, damaged, or physically impossible to pick. A skilled locksmith can open the vast majority of residential and automotive locks without destroying them. When a fake locksmith goes straight for the drill, they are doing it because a replaced lock means a bigger upsell — and because they lack the skill to do the job properly in the first place.
What To Do If You've Already Been Scammed
Document everything. Take photos of the vehicle, any signage, your receipt, and the damage to your lock. File a report with your local police and the Michigan Attorney General's consumer protection office. Dispute the charge with your credit card company — most banks will side with you when you document the fraud. Then call a real locksmith to assess and repair whatever damage was done.
The EZ Locksmith Standard
EZ Locksmith is a licensed, bonded, and insured operation based out of Ferndale, MI. We show up in a branded vehicle, we quote before we touch, and we pick before we drill. Our technicians carry their credentials and will show you every time. We've built over 500 verified Google reviews because we do the job right and charge what we said we would. That's the bar. Anything less is a scam.