AN elderly lady in Newton Abbot was scammed out of more than £3,000 by a rogue locksmith as Trading Standards says it is receiving a number of complaints about vulnerable consumers being targeted.

The 84-year-old, who wished to remain anonymous to protect her safety, returned home after seeing a friend to find that her front-door jammed.

The lady, who we will refer to as Mrs Smith, clicked on the first locksmith company that came up on an internet search.

Mrs Smith said: ‘I was out with a friend and I got home around 3.30pm and I couldn't get in, the mortise lock was jammed.

‘I Googled for a locksmith, it was very small print and I am a bit short-sighted, but it seemed okay.

‘A man came out and he told me it was a high security lock, but it was a cheap Yale lock.

The locksmith then produced an invoice for £3,600.

‘I knew something was wrong, but there was nobody around, I was frightened and live on my own’, Mrs Smith, who lives with Parkinson's, said.

Mrs Smith’s experience comes as Heart of the South West Trading Standards, which covers Devon and Somerset, says it has been receiving a number of complaints about rogue same-day-callout locksmiths.

Speaking to the Mid-Devon Advertiser, Trading Standards said rogue locksmiths are targeting vulnerable consumers locked out of their homes.

The consumer typically searches online for ‘Locksmith near me’ - which is exactly what Mrs Smith did - rogue websites will then appear top in the internet search results because they are paid adverts.

The rogue locksmith will give the consumer a quote, then drastically increase the price once the job is complete.

If you need a locksmith, Heart of the South West Trading Standards has issued the following advice:

• Beware of clicking on adverts listed at the top of online searches;

• Do not rely on posts or recommendations on social media sites or trader approval platforms without doing your own research;

• Do not be swayed by glossy flyers or impressive websites as they may not show the trader’s own work;

• Do not pay cash or agree to be taken to the bank or immediately transfer money before any work is started;

• Do not be rushed into making a decision.

On the other hand, the Service says to:

• Get three written quotes from reputable businesses;

• Ask friends and family to recommend local traders or search via Buy With Confidence - www.buywithconfidence.gov.uk/ or the Master Locksmiths’ Association www.locksmiths.co.uk;

• Decide who to use in your own time and make sure you have confidence in their skills and abilities;

• Make sure you have the full name of the company and the person doing the work and their contact details (address, phone number, email);

• Check ID;

• Pay by bank transfer so the payment is traceable. If you can, use a credit card for payments between £100 and £30,000 because if you have a claim for breach of contract or misrepresentation against the supplier of the goods or services, Section 75 gives you the same claim against your credit card company.;

• If you are concerned someone is at risk, always call the police;

• If someone knocks on your door and you're not sure, don’t open the door.

For more information, click here.