Google’s Lawsuit Regarding Fraudulent Listings Highlights Need for Consumer Education About Locksmith Scammers

The largest locksmith association in the U.S. provides consumer education about how to not get scammed and a public, searchable database of vetted locksmiths

Dallas, TX, March 31, 2025- Qwoted Newswire – Imagine you’re locked out of your car and need to get in immediately. You use Google to find a locksmith and get quoted a great price — only for the price to quadruple, and your car door is now destroyed. This has been the reality for many.

Google has uncovered thousands of alleged fraudulent locksmith business listings that have resulted in consumers being defrauded and left with destroyed property, without recourse. ALOA Security Professionals Association Inc. (ALOA) — the largest and foremost national professional organization for locksmiths — has tips for consumers to avoid scammers and find legitimate, qualified locksmiths.

When consumers search for a locksmith on Google, they can fall prey to scammers with fake listings tied to large organizations of those looking to take advantage of potential customers. Those listings sometimes have fake addresses or spoof those of legitimate businesses, but the phone number actually routes to a nationwide network of scammers. They will offer a low quote and then do a bait-and-switch on-site for a much higher price — when the work has already been performed. As these scammers are not typically educated locksmiths, consumers’ houses or vehicles are also susceptible to unnecessary damage from destructive and unprofessional entry methods.

And these networks of scammers often operate nationally — and invest heavily in search engine optimization and ads to get consumers’ attention. This makes it difficult for people to determine who is a legitimate local locksmith.

“These scammers prey on people in their time of need,” says ALOA President Bill Mandlebaum, a Certified Master Locksmith. “People should be able to feel secure in their cars and homes and trust the people they hire to help them. That’s why it’s essential for people to know how to hire a qualified locksmith.”

Here are a few steps consumers can take:

• Look for a local address, local website or local phone number. Legitimate locksmith businesses can be mobile-only without a storefront, but they will have a local phone number, website or other such information.
• Ask if they are members of ALOA. You can also search for locksmiths on ALOA’s FindALocksmith.com site. All locksmiths listed there are members and have undergone a vetting process and background check.
• When the locksmith arrives, make sure the name of the company you called matches the name of the company that arrives.
• Look for a professional uniform, nametag or non-removable logo or signage on the service vehicle. Ask for a business card. In states with professional licensing requirements, ask to see the technician’s state-issued ID card. Sometimes, the company will also use the ALOA logo on its business documents.
• Scammers will often give excuses about why they can’t pick a lock or open your vehicle, providing a bait-and-switch that jacks the price up. If they immediately go to drilling the lock to gain entry, this is often a sign of a scammer.
• Beware of anyone who only takes cash. This is to prevent you from doing a chargeback on your credit card.

About

ALOA Security Professionals Association, Inc. (ALOA) is the largest organization for physical security professionals in the United States. It provides education, certification and advocacy to enhance the expertise of locksmiths and security experts through the ALOA Continuing Education (ACE) and certification programs and the annual ALOA Convention & Security Expo.

Bill Mandlebaum, CML, has been ALOA’s president since 2021 and a member since 1978. He owns The Brass Key Shop in Bowling Green, Kentucky, specializing in locksmith services and master key systems. A leader in multiple locksmith associations and a dedicated Freemason, he is also recognized by the Department of Commerce as qualified to train apprentice locksmiths.

For more information, visit www.ALOA.org.

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