When you call a locksmith, you are in a vulnerable position — locked out of your home or car, often in a hurry, and needing immediate help. This vulnerability is exactly what locksmith scammers exploit. The locksmith industry has a well-documented problem with fraud: unlicensed operators who advertise low prices, then drill out your lock unnecessarily and charge exorbitant fees. Some use fake addresses to appear local, while others operate under multiple business names to evade bad reviews. Using a face search engine like facesearching, you can verify a locksmith's identity before you even call them, ensuring you are dealing with a legitimate, licensed professional. This guide will walk you through the verification process. For a foundational understanding of the technology, see our complete guide to reverse face search.
Why Locksmith Verification Is Critical
Locksmith scams are among the most common consumer frauds. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has repeatedly warned about locksmith scams, and consumer protection agencies receive thousands of complaints each year. The typical scam works like this: you search online for a locksmith and call a number that appears to be local. The person on the phone quotes a low price — often around $15 to $40. When the locksmith arrives, they claim the lock is more complicated than expected and needs to be drilled out and replaced, resulting in a final bill of $200 to $500 or more. In some cases, the scammers are not even locksmiths — they are simply people who know how to use a drill, and they cause unnecessary damage to your property. Beyond the financial cost, there is a safety concern: you are giving a stranger access to your home's security. A reverse face search can help you verify the locksmith's identity before you are in an emergency situation.
Step 1: Research Locksmiths Before You Need One
The best defense against locksmith scams is to research and verify a locksmith before you need one. Save the contact information for a verified, reputable locksmith in your phone so you are not making a panicked decision during an emergency. Start by searching for locksmiths in your area with good reviews on Google, Yelp, and the Better Business Bureau. Look for a locksmith with a physical address — not just a PO box — and a local phone number. Visit the locksmith's website and save their photo. If the website does not have a photo of the locksmith, look for a photo on their Google Business profile or social media. A legitimate locksmith with a physical business presence should have at least one photo of themselves or their team. If the business has no photos of people at all, that is a potential red flag.
Step 2: Run the Reverse Face Search
Upload the locksmith's photo to facesearching. The face search engine will search the public web for matching faces. The results will show you where the locksmith's photo appears online. Check for consistency: does the name associated with the photo match the name of the locksmith business? Does the photo appear on legitimate business platforms, or does it appear under different names or businesses? If the photo appears under multiple business names in different cities, that is a significant red flag — it could indicate a scam operation that creates fake listings across multiple locations. If the photo is a stock image, the face search will reveal that by showing the photo on stock photo websites. The ability to find someone by photo makes it possible to verify that the locksmith is using their own authentic photo and not a generic image or stolen identity.
Step 3: Verify Licensing and Certifications
Locksmith licensing requirements vary by state. Some states, including California, Texas, and Florida, require locksmiths to be licensed. Other states have no licensing requirement. Check your state's requirements and, if applicable, verify the locksmith's license through the state licensing board. The license should be active and in good standing. Even if your state does not require a license, look for professional certifications. The Associated Locksmiths of America (ALOA) offers certifications including Registered Locksmith (RL), Certified Registered Locksmith (CRL), and Certified Professional Locksmith (CPL). An ALOA certification is a strong indicator of a legitimate, qualified locksmith. Verify the certification through ALOA's online directory. A locksmith who is licensed and certified has invested in their profession and is far more likely to be legitimate than one with no verifiable credentials.
Step 4: Verify the Business Address
One of the most common tactics used by locksmith scammers is to list a fake address that appears to be local. Use Google Maps or a similar service to verify the locksmith's address. Look for the business name on the building at that address. If the address is a residential home, a vacant lot, or a PO box at a shipping store, that is a red flag. A legitimate locksmith business should have a physical location, even if it is a small shop. Call the locksmith and ask about their address — a legitimate business will be able to describe their location and give you directions. If the person on the phone is evasive about the address, or if the address does not check out, find a different locksmith. The face search results from facesearching can also help: if the photo appears in connection with multiple addresses or businesses, that is another red flag.
Step 5: Red Flags to Watch For
As you conduct your verification, watch for these red flags. The locksmith's photo is a stock image or appears under multiple business names. The locksmith's license cannot be verified or is expired. The locksmith's business address is fake — a residential home, vacant lot, or PO box. The locksmith's phone number is not local, or the same number appears under multiple business names in different cities. The locksmith quotes a price over the phone without seeing the lock, then significantly increases the price upon arrival. The locksmith arrives in an unmarked vehicle without company branding. The locksmith immediately suggests drilling the lock without attempting to pick it first. The locksmith demands cash payment and refuses to provide a receipt. The locksmith's online presence is minimal or inconsistent — for example, the business has been operating for years but has no reviews. If you encounter any of these red flags, do not use the locksmith. For more on spotting fake profiles, see our guide on red flags for fake photos.
What to Do After Verification
Once you have verified a locksmith's identity through face search, license checks, and address verification, save their contact information for future use. When you need a locksmith in an emergency, call the verified locksmith directly — do not rely on search engine results, which may be dominated by scam listings. When the locksmith arrives, confirm their identity: ask for their name, their company name, and a photo ID. Compare the person to the photo you verified online. If the person does not match the photo, or if they arrive in an unmarked vehicle and cannot provide ID, do not let them work on your lock. The tools provided by facesearching make it easy to verify identities before an emergency, but the final verification happens at the moment of service. For more on identity verification, see our step-by-step guide to reverse face search.