Locked out and flat broke — it's a stressful combination. Maybe your wallet is inside, your card is maxed, or you genuinely don't have the funds right now. Before you panic, here's what actually happens if you can't pay a locksmith, what your options are, and what locksmiths legally can and can't do.
First: What Locksmiths Can Legally Do If You Don't Pay
Locksmiths are service providers, and they have the same legal standing as any other contractor or service business. Here's what they can and can't do:
What They Can Do
Refuse to start the job if you can't show you'll be able to pay. A locksmith doesn't have to work for free. If you don't have a payment method available, they can decline the job.
Ask for payment before they leave. Once the job is done, you owe for the service. They can demand payment before walking away.
File a civil lawsuit or send the account to collections. Like any unpaid debt, an unpaid locksmith bill can result in a lawsuit in small claims court, a collections account, or both. This takes time and money on their end, but it's a legitimate option.
File a lien on real property (in some states). In some states, service contractors can file mechanic's liens against property they worked on if not paid. Whether this applies to locksmith work varies by state and situation.
What They Cannot Do
Re-lock your door or undo their work. Once a lock has been picked or opened, the service is done. A locksmith cannot legally "undo" this — they can't re-lock your door or take back the work they performed as leverage for payment. If they try to do this or threaten to, that may itself be a legal issue.
Physically detain you. No contractor has the right to detain you for non-payment. This is illegal.
Take your property as collateral. A locksmith cannot take your keys, wallet, or anything else as a hold for payment.
Threaten criminal consequences they aren't authorized to impose. Threatening to "have you arrested" for not paying is generally an empty threat — non-payment of a service is a civil matter, not a criminal one in most circumstances.
Options If You Can't Pay Right Now
Talk to the Locksmith Honestly
This is the first and best option. Call before they arrive and explain your situation: "I'm locked out and I can explain exactly why I'm in a bind right now — I don't have my wallet accessible. Can we work something out?"
Many locksmiths will work with you on:
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Payment by phone. If your card is inside your locked home or car, they may be willing to complete the work, then allow you to pay by phone or app once you have your wallet.
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A brief hold. Some locksmiths will complete the job and wait while you retrieve your payment method from inside.
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Payment plan. This is less common but not unheard of for regular customers or people in genuine hardship.
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A family member or friend pays. A third party can pay by phone while the locksmith is present.
Ask Someone to Pay for You
Call a family member, friend, or anyone who can venmo, Zelle, or provide card details over the phone to the locksmith. Many locksmiths take remote card payments — the locksmith can run a card number over the phone while on-site.
Community Resources
If you're in genuine financial hardship:
Local nonprofits and social services. Some organizations help people with emergency needs including housing access costs. Call 211 (a nationwide social services line in the US) and explain your situation — they can connect you with local emergency resources.
Church or community organizations. Some faith communities have emergency assistance funds.
Your landlord (if renting). If you're a renter who is locked out, your landlord is often responsible for providing access to the unit. This is free for you and comes with the landlord's legal obligation. Don't hire a locksmith if your landlord should be handling this.
Credit Cards and Payment Apps
If you don't have cash but have a working credit or debit card, most professional locksmiths accept card payments. Even if your physical wallet is locked inside, you may:
- Have card numbers memorized
- Have Apple Pay, Google Pay, or Samsung Pay on your phone (doesn't require the physical card)
- Be able to get a card number from a family member
If your phone is also locked inside — that's a harder situation, but locksmiths typically accept payment after you're inside and can access your wallet.
What Happens If You Simply Walk Away Without Paying?
This is not advisable. Here's the realistic sequence:
Short term: The locksmith calls you repeatedly, texts, and documents the non-payment.
Within weeks: They may send the account to a collections agency or small claims court. Collections accounts show up on your credit report and can affect your credit score.
Small claims: In most states, a locksmith can file a small claims case for amounts typically up to $5,000–$10,000. The filing fee is small ($30–$100). If they win (which they usually do for a straightforward service debt), they get a judgment. A judgment can be used to garnish wages or bank accounts in many states.
The debt doesn't disappear. Ignoring it doesn't make it go away, and it can affect your credit and potentially lead to wage garnishment.
If you genuinely cannot pay, it's much better to communicate this to the locksmith and try to work something out than to simply walk away.
If You Were Charged Unfairly
This is different from being unable to pay — this is being asked to pay more than was agreed.
If a locksmith charges you dramatically more than the price you were quoted:
You have the right to refuse to pay the inflated amount. You contracted for a specific price (or price range), and that is what you owe. If the locksmith won't accept the originally quoted price, document what was discussed and what was charged.
Pay the original quoted amount and dispute the rest. If you pay by credit card, you can dispute the overcharged portion as an unauthorized charge.
Don't be intimidated into paying. Some unscrupulous locksmiths use high-pressure tactics when you're in a vulnerable position (locked out, stressed, unfamiliar with the area). Know your rights: you agreed to a price, and that's the price.
Avoiding This Situation in the First Place
Have a payment method that's accessible even when locked out. If your phone has Apple Pay or Google Pay set up with a card, you can pay even if your wallet is inside. Setting this up before an emergency is smart.
Get the price in writing before work begins. If you get a text message or verbal confirmation of the price on the phone before they come out, you have a record. Pay only what was agreed.
Have a spare key somewhere accessible. The most effective prevention: a $2–$10 spare key with a neighbor, in a combination lockbox, or with a family member eliminates the whole scenario.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a locksmith lock me back out if I don't pay?
No. Once they've unlocked your door, the service is complete. They cannot re-lock it or reverse the work to collect payment. Their recourse is civil (lawsuit, collections) — not physically re-locking you out.
Can I refuse to pay a locksmith who charged more than they quoted?
You should pay the originally agreed price and dispute any amount above that. Document your original quote (text messages, call recordings if your state allows single-party recording, etc.). If you paid by card, dispute the overcharge with your card company.
What if I don't have a payment method with me?
Talk to the locksmith before they arrive. Explain that your wallet is inside. Most professional locksmiths have solutions: payment by phone once you're inside, remote card payment from a family member, or a brief wait while you retrieve your wallet. Very few legitimate locksmiths will refuse to help you if you're upfront about the situation.
Will not paying a locksmith hurt my credit?
It can, eventually. If the locksmith sends the account to collections, that collection account can appear on your credit report. In the short term, nothing happens automatically — the locksmith has to take action first.
Is not paying a locksmith a crime?
Generally no — it's a civil matter, not a criminal one. Non-payment of a service contract is handled in civil court (small claims or otherwise). However, if you used a false identity or fraudulent payment method, that could cross into criminal territory.
What if I genuinely have no money and no way to pay?
Be honest with the locksmith. They may work with you on a deferred payment or reduced amount if you're transparent. If you're in genuine hardship, call 211 to find local emergency assistance resources. Also, if you're a renter who is locked out, your landlord should be providing access — that's free for you, and your financial situation is irrelevant to that obligation.