South Australians are being warned about scams involving people posing as locksmiths, costing unsuspecting customers hundreds of dollars each year.

These rogue locksmiths often have no training and use sophisticated tactics to target people in vulnerable situations such as being locked out of their home.

The state’s consumer watchdog, Consumer and Business Services (CBS), has received dozens of reports from people who say they have been misled, overcharged or even intimidated.

CBS is actively investigating complaints and has identified potential breaches of Australian Consumer Law, including misleading pricing, false representations and unconscionable conduct.

People report being quoted a low fee - often between $30 and $120 - only to be charged hundreds or even thousands of dollars once the work is done.

In some cases, locks and doors have been unnecessarily damaged and customers have faced pressure or threats to pay inflated invoices.

There are a number of red flags to watch out for as locksmith scammers spend significant amounts on Google ads and create convincing websites designed to appear local and legitimate.

Red flags include:

• Websites advertising 24/7 or emergency locksmith services with no clear local address.
• Refusing to supply a quote or invoice.
• Generic websites with no “About” section or verifiable business details.
• Prices that seem unusually low upfront.
• Poor workmanship or unnecessary damage to locks or doors.
• Final invoices significantly higher than the original quote.

For more information or to make a complaint visit the CBS website or call 131 882.