How to find a genuine locksmith you can trust — verified, DBS checked, MLA approved

Are you on the MLA register?

Ask for their MLA member number. Then verify it yourself at locksmiths.co.uk before they arrive. Takes 30 seconds. If they are not on the register — do not call them out.

Can you give me a fixed price before you start work?

A genuine locksmith gives a fixed price on the phone and does not change it when they arrive. Any locksmith who cannot or will not quote a fixed price before attending is a risk.

Will you bring ID and your MLA member card?

A genuine MLA approved locksmith carries a photo ID card with their MLA membership and DBS check status on it. Ask them to confirm they will bring it. If they arrive without it — do not let them start work.

What is your Companies House registration number?

A genuine established locksmith business is registered at Companies House with a real trading address and current accounts. Check the number at find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk before they arrive.

Do you charge extra for drilling?

A skilled locksmith almost never needs to drill a standard lock. Drilling is a technique used by rogue operators to justify much higher charges. If a locksmith says they may need to drill before even seeing the lock — this is a red flag.

Company appears on the locksmiths.co.uk register with a current licence number you can verify

The operative has passed the MLA qualification examination — proof of genuine skill

A DBS criminal record check has been completed through the MLA specifically — not self-arranged

The company has been physically inspected by an MLA regional inspector

The operative carries an ID card showing their name, photo, MLA member number, and DBS status

The MLA has a complaints procedure — if you are overcharged by a genuine MLA member you can complain directly to the MLA

How do I find a locksmith I can actually trust?

Search the Master Locksmiths Association directory at locksmiths.co.uk and enter your postcode. Every MLA approved company has been physically inspected, passed the MLA qualification exam, and holds a current DBS check arranged by the MLA itself. The MLA member number is publicly listed and verifiable. Do not rely on a website claiming to be MLA approved without checking the member number on the MLA register directly.

What does MLA approved actually mean and how do I verify it?

MLA stands for Master Locksmiths Association — the UK trade body for locksmiths. MLA approved means the company has been inspected by an MLA regional inspector, the operative has passed the MLA qualification, and a DBS criminal record check has been completed through the MLA. To verify: go to locksmiths.co.uk, use the find-a-locksmith search, and check the company appears with a current licence number. Any company claiming MLA approval that does not appear on that register is making a false claim. MLA is not a registered trademark — anyone can use the letters — which is why verification against the register is essential.

What is a DBS check and should my locksmith have one?

A DBS check — Disclosure and Barring Service — is a criminal record check. MLA approved locksmiths are required to hold a current DBS check arranged through the MLA. A genuine DBS certificate shows the operative's name, the date of the check, and a certificate number verifiable against the DBS update service. A verbal claim of being DBS checked without being able to show the certificate is meaningless. If a locksmith cannot show their DBS certificate and MLA member card when asked — they are not MLA approved regardless of what their website says.

How much should a locksmith genuinely charge?

A genuine locksmith should quote a fixed price before starting work. Typical genuine prices in 2026: standard lock opening during business hours £65 to £95. Out of hours or weekend callout £95 to £150. Lock replacement with a standard lock £120 to £180 including parts. Any quote below £50 for an emergency callout is almost certainly a bait price — the operative will find reasons to charge significantly more on completion. Get a fixed price confirmed before the locksmith starts work. If the price changes when they arrive — you have the right to send them away and call someone else.

What are the warning signs before I call a locksmith?

Red flags before you call: the Google Maps listing shows a business address that is a virtual office, serviced suite, or residential flat. The phone number starts 020 8087, 020 3633, 020 3519, 020 3951, 020 3670 or 020 3727 — these are VoIP number banks documented across multiple fake locksmith listings. The company name is keyword-stuffed with emergency, fast, local, 24/7. The Google listing has a perfect 5.0 score across dozens of reviews with no variation. The website is a generic template with no photos of the actual operative or genuine local content.

What are the warning signs when the locksmith arrives?

Red flags at the door: they arrive without an ID card or refuse to show one. They cannot produce an MLA member card. They immediately say the lock needs to be drilled without attempting to pick it — drilling is almost never necessary for a standard lock. They give a much higher price than quoted and become aggressive or persistent when challenged. They insist on cash only. They do not provide a written invoice or the invoice has a company name you cannot verify at Companies House. They say the lock brand requires a special expensive replacement — Astra Security branded locks have been documented as a price manipulation tool.

Can I send a locksmith away if the price changes at the door?

Yes. You are under no legal obligation to proceed if the price quoted changes when the locksmith arrives. If they quoted £59 on the phone and demand £300 at the door before starting work — you can decline and call someone else. If they have already started work without your agreement to the higher price, the original quoted price is what you are legally obliged to pay. If they become threatening or refuse to leave, call 999. Document everything — photograph the invoice, note the registration plate, record the conversation if possible.

How do I know if a locksmith is genuinely local?

A genuinely local locksmith will have a verifiable business address — not a virtual office or serviced suite. Their company will appear at Companies House with a real trading address, current accounts, and an appropriate SIC code. They will know the local area specifically — street names, common lock types in local properties, local letting agents they work with. They will have genuine local reviews naming specific streets or areas. A call centre locksmith dispatching an operative from miles away will have none of these. Ask directly: where are you based and can you give me your Companies House number?

Are there fake locksmiths pretending to be MLA approved?

Yes. Because MLA is not a registered trademark, any website can use the phrase MLA approved without being a member. Some rogue operator websites specifically use MLA approved, DBS checked, and fully accredited in their content to appear in searches by consumers specifically looking for verified operators. The only way to confirm genuine MLA membership is to check the locksmiths.co.uk register directly. If the company does not appear there with a current licence number — the MLA claim is false regardless of what their website says.

What should I do if I was overcharged by a locksmith?

Act immediately. If you paid by credit card over £100 — Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act makes your card provider jointly liable. Contact them and request a refund under Section 75. If you paid by debit card — request a chargeback within 120 days. Report to Action Fraud at reportfraud.police.uk with as much detail as possible including the company name, phone number, and invoice. Contact Trading Standards on 0808 223 1133. Leave a factual review on the Google Maps listing describing what address you were given and what happened. Check the company on Companies House — if it is recently incorporated, at a virtual office address, or already dissolved — that information supports your chargeback or court claim.

Is there a register of genuine locksmiths I can check?

Yes — the MLA register at locksmiths.co.uk is the primary verified register of genuine locksmiths in the UK. There are approximately 340 MLA approved companies nationally — a small number compared to the estimated 6,500 locksmiths operating. Other verified directories include Checkatrade, Which? Trusted Traders, and Certified Locksmiths and Security at certifiedlocksmithsandsecurity.co.uk. Any locksmith not appearing on at least one of these verified directories warrants caution. Google Maps and general directory listings are not verification — they are self-submitted and unverified.

How do I find a safe locksmith for my elderly parent?

Use the MLA register at locksmiths.co.uk and search the relevant postcode. Call the locksmith directly — a genuine local operator will answer from a local number, know the area, and be willing to discuss the job before committing to a callout. Ask specifically: are you MLA approved, can you give me your member number, and will you confirm a fixed price before starting work. A genuine operator answers all three questions without hesitation. Do not use Google Maps locksmith listings without first verifying the company against the MLA register and Companies House. Rogue operators specifically target elderly and vulnerable consumers.

Why does Google Maps show so many fake locksmith listings?

Google Maps allows any business to create a listing with minimal verification. Rogue operators create listings at virtual office addresses, inject fake five-star reviews, and use keyword-stuffed company names to appear at the top of local search results. Google has removed fake listings at scale in the US but has not applied the same enforcement in the UK despite a CMA fair ranking conduct requirement. The locksmithscams.co.uk database documents over 183 fake locksmith listings confirmed still live as of September 2026. Until Google applies the same AI-powered enforcement in the UK that it applies in the US, consumers should verify any locksmith found via Google Maps before calling.

I am scared to call a locksmith after being ripped off last time — what should I do?

This is one of the most common things genuine locksmiths hear. Being overcharged, intimidated at your own door, or having a lock drilled unnecessarily is a traumatic experience. It was not your fault — you called what appeared to be a legitimate local business and were exploited. The way to protect yourself next time is to call only MLA approved locksmiths verified on the locksmiths.co.uk register. Ask for a fixed price before they arrive. Ask to see their ID card and MLA member card when they get to the door. A genuine operator will produce both without hesitation and will not change the quoted price.

What questions should I ask a locksmith before letting them in?

Four questions to ask before the locksmith starts work. One: can you confirm the fixed price for this job before you begin? Two: can I see your ID card and MLA member card? Three: what is your Companies House registration number? Four: will you give me a written invoice showing your company name and address? A genuine MLA approved operator answers all four questions immediately and without pressure. Any hesitation, evasion, or aggression in response to these questions is a red flag. You have the right to ask all of them before any work begins.

locksmiths.co.uk — official MLA directory

75+ London locksmiths — 56 MLA approved — all 32 boroughs