How to Avoid Locksmith Scams in Naples, FL

Naples is no stranger to beauty, charm, and great community living. Unfortunately, it has also become a hotbed for locksmith scams that prey on residents, especially the elderly, and tourists alike. These scam operations have become more organized and deceptive, using digital tricks, fake names, and misleading pricing to lure in unsuspecting customers. As a locally trusted locksmith in Naples for over 50 years, we want to help you spot the red flags and make sure you stay safe.

Scammers Are Getting Smarter

The scam listings you see online often are run by a single group, although they appear completely like different legitimate companies. They use different business names, addresses, and phone numbers, but many of the five-star reviews across half a dozen businesses will mention the same technician. This is a major red flag.

Even worse, many of these fake locksmiths pay random people for reviews and pictures of their car keys, or hire people overseas to post fake glowing reviews. If you click on the profiles of these reviewers, you might notice that they all seem to be from a single foreign country, have reviewed the same handful of unrelated businesses, and use similar-sounding language. They may also have no profile pictures or only a single review. If it feels off or like it’s all written by the same tone of voice, trust your gut.

These scammers often list prices like “$49 service call” or “$89 emergency lockout” to grab your attention. But once the technician arrives, that price suddenly jumps into the hundreds or sometimes thousands. If a locksmith is quoting less than $100 to come out, it is probably a scam. Given the insurance requirements, tools, vehicles, gas, and tax expenses, no legitimate locksmith can afford to come out for less.

Real Stories From Customers

Over the last 50+ years, “A” Locksmith has built some really great relationships with the community and our customers, but not everyone in Naples knows who to call especially if they have a lock emergency and are in a bit of a panic. Unfortunately, a lot of people rely on Google searches and wind up getting scammed. After being scammed, they ask their neighbors and friends for a trusted recommendation, then our team goes back to fix all the shoddy work left behind. It’s a real blight on the industry, the only way to fix this is to educate the public so the scammers won’t get the calls to begin with. I’m so tired of hearing stories of the wonderful people of Naples being intimidated and taken advantage of by scammers.

“He showed up smelling like smoke, told me my basic front door lock was ‘high security,’ and drilled it out with power tools. Then he slapped on a no-name lock and handed me an $800 bill, cash only. The truck wasn’t marked and the invoice came from a business I didn’t even call and doesn’t exist. Luckily, I was able to cancel the check.”

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“I locked my dog in the car and needed help fast. They promised someone in 10 minutes. Two hours later, a guy from Miami with no car-unlocking tools broke the window and charged me $1,200 without fixing the window. Never again.”

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“They quoted $70. By the time he left, I was out $340, my deadbolt was busted, and my doorframe was cracked. He wouldn’t leave until I left him a 5-star review. It was beyond uncomfortable, such a creep!”

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“I got scammed out of nearly $500 after being promised a $75 fix. The tech refused to take a credit card and pushed me to use Venmo. At that point, I knew I’d been had.”

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“A $65 service call and $19 per key turned into $499.99 with a bunch of made-up fees. It felt like highway robbery, but I just wanted the guy gone.”

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“They didn’t even try to unlock the door. Just went straight for the drill. Next thing I know, the door and lock are destroyed and I’m looking at a $483 invoice filled with nonsense charges.”

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“This wasn’t a real locksmith. It was a guy with a drill. He trashed the lock and tried to sell me a scratched-up deadbolt like it was designer hardware. I paid to make him leave, not because I trusted him.”

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“They lied, destroyed my lock, and replaced it with the cheapest junk they could find—then called it an upgrade. It’s insulting.”

What You Can Do to Protect Yourself

Know What a Legitimate Locksmith Looks Like

A professional locksmith will:

• Have clear, updated photos of themselves and their team posted on their website and social media

• Arrive in a clearly marked vehicle with the company name on it

• Be in uniform and carry a business card with matching company details

• Provide an estimate that reflects the scope of the job realistically

• Accept credit cards, not insist on cash or payment apps like Venmo

• Give you an invoice with the exact same name as the company you called

If any of these details do not match, you are likely dealing with a scammer.

Do Your Homework

Before calling any locksmith:

• Look up the business and read not just the reviews, but also inspect the reviewer’s profiles

• Avoid listings with clearly fake addresses (empty lots, virtual offices) or unusually low prices

• Avoid listings that show photos of client’s keys, this is a huge security violation!

• Ask friends, neighbors, or look for a BBB Accredited business

• Check thier memberships with industry organizations and suppliers (SAVTA, ALOA, Allegion Locksmith Partners, Mul-T-Lock Authorized Dealers)

• When in doubt, call us directly at “A” Locksmith — we will always give you straight answers and honest service, even when we can’t help you we will give you the name of someone who can!

Be Cautious With Online Listings

Online directories are filled with fake listings. Just because a business shows up first does not mean it is legitimate. Some scammers have dozens of listings with different names and numbers but route all calls to the same call center.

Look for Patterns in Reviews

Are the reviews overly generic or all posted within a short time span? Do they use the same language over and over? That’s a warning sign that they may be fake. Check if the reviewers are local and regularly reviewing other real businesses. If they all reviewed several of the same unrelated businesses,  or have left lots of reviews, but no others in the local area, it’s not legitimate.

Why Naples Trusts “A” Locksmith

For over 50 years, “A” Locksmith has been the trusted name in Naples for reliable, ethical locksmith service. We never bait you with fake prices or outsource to unknown technicians. We are owned by a husband and wife with deep ties to the community, no call centers, and no funny business. Our team is background checked, trained, and equipped with the tools and expertise to do the job right the first time. With two physical locations and a reputation built on trust, we are here to serve the community with integrity.

Do not let a scammer take advantage of you. Save our number now and call “A” Locksmith when you need real help from real professionals.

Your safety is our priority — always.