I've been a locksmith in Alberta for 38 years.
I've seen the industry change in ways that would shock most homeowners.
The biggest change? Google Maps became a hunting ground for scammers.
When you search "locksmith near me" during a lockout, you're not seeing legitimate local businesses. You're seeing a carefully constructed trap designed to exploit your emergency.
The Google Maps Manipulation You Don't See
Here's how sophisticated this has become.
Scammers find a legitimate locksmith company in your area. They know you'll search for locksmiths in neighborhoods you recognize.
Then they populate that same area with 10 fake listings.
Same neighborhood. Different fake company names. All pointing to the same scam operation.
You type "locksmith" and see multiple results in your area. You think you're choosing between legitimate options.
You're not.
You're clicking through a digital ambush where 9 out of 10 listings are fraudulent.
Google removed over 10,000 fraudulent locksmith listings from Google Maps in 2025 alone. That's just what they caught.
The $19.99 Trap
The bait starts with advertising.
You see a price that seems reasonable. $19.99 for a lockout service. Maybe $60 for a rekey.
You call. They confirm the price. You feel relieved.
Then someone shows up at your door.
They start the work without discussing price again. When they hand you the invoice, everything changes.
"Oh no, the $19.99 was just the service call fee to get me here. The actual work is $500."
Or they claim the $60 you agreed to was just for me to arrive. The rekey itself? Another $600.
You start to argue.
That's when they become visibly agitated. They intimidate you. They make you uncomfortable in your own home.
Then comes the fake compromise.
"Tell you what. I won't tell my boss, but I'll knock $100 off. Just pay the bill and we're done here."
Most people jump at this “discount” just to end the uncomfortable situation.
They've just paid 5–10 times what a legitimate locksmith would charge.
The Security Risk Nobody Talks About
The financial scam is obvious. The security vulnerability is worse.
These operators don't know how to pick locks.
I've been doing this for 38 years. I've trained in forensic locksmithing, institutional security, breaking and prevention techniques.
These scammers? They drill everything.
They drill your lock to get your door open. Now they need to replace what they destroyed.
They run to Home Depot or a bargain store. They buy a $20 lock. They install it and charge you $200.
Here's the part that should terrify you:
They now potentially have a copy of your key. They've given you your keys, sure. But they've installed the lock. They know the key code. They could have made copies.
You've just given complete access to your home to someone who intimidated you and overcharged you by 500%.
A CBC News investigation documented a Calgary case where a scammer showed up in an unmarked vehicle and drilled a $25 Walmart lock unnecessarily.
"You didn't need either of your locks drilled out," a legitimate locksmith explained when called to assess the damage.
The Fake Credentials They're Showing You
Scammers have adapted.
They create fake locksmith licenses now. They copy someone else's legitimate license, swap in their own photo, laminate it, and show it to you at your door.
You think you're seeing proper credentials.
You're seeing a $5 forgery.
They also use unmarked vehicles. Personal cars. They work out of their trunk.
If a locksmith shows up without a proper service van with company branding, that should set off every alarm in your head.
Legitimate locksmiths invest in proper vehicles, equipment, and identification. We have to. We're licensed professionals.
In Alberta, all locksmiths must be licensed under the Security Services and Investigators Act. You must be a certified journeyman or registered apprentice.
These scammers have none of that.
The AI Review Manipulation
You can't trust online reviews anymore either.
I've seen fake locksmith companies with 400+ reviews. Every single one generated by AI.
They sound real. They hit all the right notes. They mention specific services, response times, and friendly technicians.
None of it happened.
Reading reviews doesn’t mean you're dealing with a legitimate locksmith. It means you're reading fiction designed to build false trust.
How To Verify Before You Need Help
Here's what you need to do right now, before you ever need emergency locksmith services.
Click on this link to get a list of valid locksmith businesses licensed in Alberta. This takes you to a government page with links to verify legitimate locksmith licensing.
Check the Better Business Bureau. Look for companies with established track records.
Ask friends who they've used. Personal referrals carry more weight than any online listing.
When you find a legitimate locksmith, save their contact information in your phone immediately.
You don't want to be searching Google during a lockout emergency. You want that trusted contact already saved.
When you do call, ask specific questions:
"Is this the final price? I won't be paying more than this?"
Confirm they're a legitimate company. Search the company’s name among the licensed locksmiths in Alberta.
Ask what vehicle they'll arrive in. Legitimate companies have branded service vans.
If anything feels off when they arrive, don't let them start work. Call someone else.
The Builder Grade Lock Problem
Even if you avoid scammers, most Calgary homes have another security problem.
Builder-grade locks.
Builders don't like spending money. They save costs by installing inferior locks. We call them builder-grade, and they're everywhere in new construction.
People assume they're secure because the door locks.
These locks are easily broken into by anyone with basic knowledge. The frames use tiny screws on the door jamb. The deadbolt itself is easily kicked in.
You feel protected. You're not.
The Mul-t-lock High Security Solution
I recommend Mul-t-lock deadbolts to every customer. I have them on my own property.
Mul-t-lock makes a deadbolt with a UL 437 rating. That means drill resistance and pick resistance at the highest commercial standard.
I can't pick these locks open. After 38 years in this industry, with forensic training, I cannot pick a Mul-t-lock.
They interlock with your door frame. They resist drilling, picking, and forced entry.
The keys can't be duplicated by anyone except authorized holders. You have to show your government-issued picture ID to get extra keys cut.
That means anyone you give a key to can't go make unauthorized copies. You control access completely.
This is proactive security. Not the “closing the barn door after the horse has bolted” approach most people take.
What To Do Right Now
Save this checklist. Use it before you ever need emergency locksmith services.
Verification Steps:
- Search government resources for licensed locksmiths in Alberta. Verify their credentials before saving their contact.
- Check the Better Business Bureau for established track record.
- Ask friends and neighbors who they've used successfully.
- Save verified locksmith contacts in your phone with notes about their credentials.
When Calling:
- Confirm final pricing upfront. "Is this the complete price? I won't be paying more?"
- Ask for their license number and verify it.
- Ask what vehicle they'll arrive in. Expect a branded service van.
Red Flags:
- Unmarked vehicles or personal cars.
- Drilling locks without explaining why picking won't work.
- Price changes after arrival.
- Pressure tactics or intimidation.
- Refusal to provide license number or credentials.
Security Upgrade:
- Replace builder-grade locks with UL 437 rated deadbolts.
- Install locks with key control features that prevent unauthorized duplication.
- Verify all work is done by licensed, bonded, insured professionals.
The Cost Of Getting It Wrong
Choosing the wrong locksmith costs you in three ways.
Financial: You pay 5–10 times the legitimate rate.
Security: You potentially give home access to criminals.
Peace of mind: You'll never feel completely secure again.
The cost of verification is zero. The cost of getting scammed is everything.
I've spent nearly four decades in this industry. I've seen every scam, every tactic, every way people get exploited during emergencies.
The solution is simple. Verify before you need help. Save trusted contacts now. Upgrade your security proactively.
Don't wait until you're locked out at 2 AM to start researching locksmiths.
By then, you're already vulnerable.
Need a verified locksmith in Calgary?
Call 310-LOCK (310-5625).
We've been serving Calgary since 1998. Bonded, insured, and licensed.
Save this number now. Before you need it.