Consumers are at risk of being ripped off by rogue locksmiths operating without licences, the State’s private security watchdog has warned.
In an alert issued on Wednesday, the Private Security Authority (PSA) highlighted the prevalence of unlicensed operators in the locksmith sector.
It specifically pointed to one site, locksmith24h-7.info, which, it said, was in breach of regulations.
“Members of the public should exercise extreme care when selecting a locksmith to call to their home or business,” the statement said. “This is especially important if searching online for a reputable locksmith, and the exercise of caution is even more important in an emergency situation.”
Why are we getting condensation on our new triple-glazed windows?
The Waterford beekeeper: ‘I got four or five stings on my face today, but you wouldn’t know it’
Fern fever: home with award-winning Morocco-inspired garden in Glasnevin for €895,000
The 12 savings of Christmas: When to shop (November), what to drink (not Champagne) and more
It added that it was a “common tactic of unlicensed locksmiths to quote a low price and then drastically increase the price once they arrive at the customer’s location”.
The PSA warned that such traders often use generic terms such as “competitive price” and “24-hour emergency” to “trick people into thinking they are a reputable company”.
The statement concluded by warning consumers that unlicensed locksmiths “often use tools and techniques that cause damage and charge multiples of the quoted price when in your house”.
The authority urged people who need the services of a locksmith the spend “a few minutes checking the PSA register of licence holders [which] will provide you with a professional licensed locksmith.”
- Listen to our Inside Politics Podcast for the latest analysis and chat
- Sign up for push alerts and have the best news, analysis and comment delivered directly to your phone
- Find The Irish Times on WhatsApp and stay up to date
