Locksmith question

[Murphy]

So...Being bored I've been doing some digging, using the previous link to companies house, and this is what I've found: EVE SECURITY LTD changed director back in 2020 from Stefan Cochintu. But here's the interesting thing, if you search google for his name you get this LinkedIn profile where he list that he used to be a manager of AM London Locksmith. Search Google for AM London Locksmith and you get this BBC Watchdog article.

BBC One - Watchdog - AM London Locksmith Limited

We investigate AM London Locksmith Ltd who are bringing misery to its customers.

www.bbc.co.uk

e: And this...

Dodgy locksmith firm left with £16,500 bill for faking customer reviews and ripping off customers

The dodgy directors of a locksmith’s company who ripped off customers and used photos of strangers from social media alongside fake customer reviews have been landed with fines, costs and compensation totalling more than £16,500.

www.islington.media

2nd e: Forgot to add a link to the guys LinkedIn profile.

 

[radderfire]

Let me update what I said earlier, and say that these guys are complete rip-off merchants and fraudsters, and yes it is scamming money out of vulnerable elderly people.

It looks like they have been done earlier for dodgy practice, and have had a name change ... that's the kind of thing to expect from these "companies".

To the OP, your Dad has certainly been ripped off and you have grounds to attempt to retrieve the money, although I expect that won't be easy.

 

[darael]

So...Being bored I've been doing some digging, using the previous link to companies house, and this is what I've found: EVE SECURITY LTD changed director back in 2020 from Stefan Cochintu. But here's the interesting thing, if you search google for his name you get this LinkedIn profile where he list that he used to be a manager of AM London Locksmith. Search Google for AM London Locksmith and you get this BBC Watchdog article.

BBC One - Watchdog - AM London Locksmith Limited

We investigate AM London Locksmith Ltd who are bringing misery to its customers.

www.bbc.co.uk

e: And this...

Dodgy locksmith firm left with £16,500 bill for faking customer reviews and ripping off customers

The dodgy directors of a locksmith’s company who ripped off customers and used photos of strangers from social media alongside fake customer reviews have been landed with fines, costs and compensation totalling more than £16,500.

www.islington.media

It just goes to show that Checkatrade reviews are worthless:

Loading…

www.checkatrade.com

 

[Colonel_Klinck]

It just goes to show that Checkatrade reviews are worthless:

Loading…

www.checkatrade.com

All these websites end up advertising chancers, they are pretty much worthless imo. I would never hire someone just off the back of a site like that.

 

[Kelt]

Does £1456 sound too much for replacing a lock that had a front door key snapped in it? I think my elderly father was scammed.

I locked myself out of my house a couple years ago.

Cost me £47 total for the guy to come around and replace the lock.

 

[Maple Leaf]

Does £1456 sound too much for replacing a lock that had a front door key snapped in it? I think my elderly father was scammed.

Yes, that's a total rip-off. Bloody cowboy tradesmen.

You can save yourself a lot of money by learning how to do basic locksmithing jobs. It really isn't rocket science.

 

[muon]

Wow, what a scam. That is obscene.

 

[[FnG]magnolia]

Good point, I have no idea, Eve Security Ltd doesn't pay taxes either?

 

[Droolinggimp]

I feel sick reading this thread.

 

[Kelt]

Is BBC Watchdog still a thing?

I'd be contacting them if so.

 

[robfosters]

I could see how angry and sad he was....

Moving forward I’d use this experience to convince him that he should always contact you first about this sort of thing and to always get written quotes first

 

[neocon]

Moving forward I’d use this experience to convince him that he should always contact you first about this sort of thing and to always get written quotes first

It was just really bad timing, I had gone out for the day. Neighbour even offered to take him to town, but he decided to sort it out himself.

 

[Coolasmoo]

Disgusting how they can even think they can get away with this. There must be something that can be done to get your money back.

Does paying by card give you some security... No pun intended.

 

[Jack_green]

Disgusting how they can even think they can get away with this. There must be something that can be done to get your money back.

Does paying by card give you some security... No pun intended.

Yer, it can do, if done correctly..
He needs to report this to police bank trading standards. Outer wise the person will keep doing it.

 

[lunar]

Last year I had to call a locksmith. When they came the man took the lock barrel out and said it would cost over £350 to change it, as it was a special device. I told him I saw something similar in the store for £30. I said I could not afford it and to forget the work. He said the call out charge was £100. I argued and said nothing was done. Finally, he said he'd do it for £300. I said no, and he said he cannot put the lock back, without paying the call out. I paid the £100. Next day I completed an online form from my bank app disputing the payment, stating that £100 charged for no work.
I got my money back and got no response from the locksmith. A few days later I got another company to do the job for £80.

 

[SpellowHouse]

I'm afraid it is a giant case of "should have asked the price first".

 

[Rroff]

I'm afraid it is a giant case of "should have asked the price first".

Was asking earlier if a quote had been given before work commenced.

 

[godinman]

Last year I had to call a locksmith. When they came the man took the lock barrel out and said it would cost over £350 to change it, as it was a special device. I told him I saw something similar in the store for £30. I said I could not afford it and to forget the work. He said the call out charge was £100. I argued and said nothing was done. Finally, he said he'd do it for £300. I said no, and he said he cannot put the lock back, without paying the call out. I paid the £100. Next day I completed an online form from my bank app disputing the payment, stating that £100 charged for no work.
I got my money back and got no response from the locksmith. A few days later I got another company to do the job for £80.

He attended site at your request, costing him time, fuel and potentially lost opportunity elsewhere, you owe him that £100 imo.

 

[Freakbro]

That is genuinely disgusting and things like this, scamming anyone, but especially the vulnerable makes my blood boil.

Please don't let it drop @neocon even if your father wants to. Contact everyone you can, police action fraud, trading standards and HMRC - as they are definitely defrauding VAT - anyone who will listen (as probably not all will unfortunately)

Police Action Fraud line 0300 123 2040

Victim support helpline :

Fraud - Victim Support

Fraud is when someone deceives you to gain a dishonest advantage – usually money, goods, services or property. We can support you after fraud.

www.victimsupport.org.uk

HMRC fraud helpline

Report tax fraud or avoidance to HMRC

Report tax fraud by a person or business to HMRC - tax evasion, VAT fraud, false, Child Benefit or tax credit fraud.

www.gov.uk

Bring in the information @Murphy posted to say this is just another iteration of a previously convicted fraudulent company.

 

[d_brennen]

It was a few years ago but I have a locksmith open the door for me (I'd locked myself out) at about 8am mid week. £150 call out fee and a scarily short amount of time, the door was open. North London