One common example involves emergency locksmiths who advertise bargain call-out rates but dramatically inflate the bill afterwards.
According to the company, the locksmith may claim the job is more complex than described, add unexpected fees for parts or labour, or insist that unnecessary work such as replacing an entire lock mechanism is required.
What begins as a £49 call-out can quickly escalate into a £1,000 invoice, warns the firm.
There’s also the danger that an unqualified or careless locksmith causes damage that landlords later have to put right at significant cost.
The firm says that, unlike the majority of skilled trades, locksmiths are not required to hold formal qualifications to operate legally — making it easier for rogue operators to slip through.
To protect themselves, landlords are advised to research reputable providers in advance and give tenants a vetted list of trusted emergency locksmiths.
A spokesperson for locksmith company recommends checking industry bodies such as the Master Locksmiths Association, or seeking recommendations from letting agents and landlord community groups.
He continues: “As a general rule, avoid clicking on sponsored ads, too.
“Scammers often use paid online advertising to appear legitimate, even copying genuine business names.
“They may also show addresses or map listings that don’t actually exist.
“A better approach is to scroll past adverts to the organic Google rankings.
He adds: “As a general rule, avoid clicking on sponsored ads, too.
“Once you have a shortlist of companies you trust, ensure your tenant has a copy of their details in case you aren’t contactable.
“Encourage them to save these in their phone or a paper copy in their wallet.
“If a tenant is locked out, they won’t be able to find the details in the back of a drawer.”