Cheap Locksmith Ads: The $19 Trap That’s Still Catching People in NWA

If you live anywhere in Northwest Arkansas, you’ve seen the ads:
“Locksmith – $19!”
“$29 Service Call!”

It looks affordable, honest, and local — but that couldn’t be further from the truth.

These ads are part of a nationwide scam that tricks thousands of people every year. And yes, they’re active right here in Fayetteville, Springdale, Rogers, Bentonville, and surrounding areas.

Here’s exactly how it works and how to avoid it.

How the $19 Locksmith Scam Works

These scammers run fake websites claiming to be local locksmiths. They use stock photos, fake shop addresses, and dozens of phone numbers.

When you call:

You reach a national call center — usually not even in Arkansas
They quote you $19 or $29 to get you hooked
A random, untrained “tech” shows up
They claim your lock is “special” or “high-security”
They say drilling is required
Your final bill becomes $200–$500 or more

By the time people realize what happened, it’s too late.

We See the Damage Every Week

We’ve had customers:

Overcharged by hundreds
Left with destroyed locks
Given no receipt
Given keys that don’t even work
Lied to about what was “required”
Told they had to replace entire door hardware when they didn’t

Meanwhile, these scammers disappear — because none of the numbers or addresses are real.

How to Spot a REAL Local Locksmith

A legitimate locksmith will always:

✔ Have a real, walk-in shop
✔ Have branded service vans
✔ Use a local phone number (479-521-LOCK)
✔ Provide upfront pricing
✔ Be licensed and insured
✔ Have a physical presence in the community
✔ Offer long-term service and warranties

C & E Lock & Safe Inc. has been in business for decades. Scammers come and go — we don’t.