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Vienna — The Vienna Chamber of Labour (AK) is issuing a clear warning to residents: keep calm and stay alert when dealing with emergency locksmiths and other quick-response handymen. A growing number of people have reported being confronted with overpriced bills, pressure tactics and demands for immediate cash payments after simple door openings.
It happens in seconds: you take out the trash, the door snaps shut, and the key is still inside. In that moment of stress, many people quickly search online for a locksmith — and often end up with dubious providers who advertise cheap rates but later charge several hundred euros.
AK consumer advisers say complaints about fraudulent emergency services continue to increase. These providers often appear at the top of search results and lure customers with suspiciously low prices.
“All alarm bells should ring”
According to AK consumer protection expert Kirstin Grüblinger, several warning signs are typical: unprofessional work, massively inflated prices and insistence on immediate cash payment. If customers are pressured or even threatened, they should call the police right away.
Once the money is paid, it is often nearly impossible to get it back. “These providers disappear quickly from the internet and later reappear under a new name,” Grüblinger explains.
How to avoid cost traps
- Stay calm — Don’t call the first number you see online, especially if the price seems unrealistically low.
- Check reviews — Few reviews or only glowing feedback can be suspicious.
- Don’t pay immediately — If you suspect fraud, do not hand over cash and contact the police.
- Check your insurance — Many household insurance policies cover door-opening costs or recommend trustworthy locksmiths.
- Save emergency numbers — The KEO (Competence Center for Burglary Protection and Object Security) can quickly connect you with certified locksmiths.
- Rely on recommendations — Ask friends and family, and save a trusted locksmith’s number in your phone.
Why the warning matters now
The AK notes that fraudulent locksmiths are becoming more sophisticated. Their websites look professional, they use paid ads and hide their identities. This makes it harder for consumers to distinguish legitimate services from scams.
The AK urges everyone in Vienna to prepare before an emergency happens: identify reliable locksmiths now and store their numbers — so you don’t fall victim to a scam when the door suddenly clicks shut.
- source: heute.at/picture: copilot.microsoft.com
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