I was scammed $400 by a locksmith after a car lock malfunction and I can’t let go of the anger and anxiety, what do i do 😭

I’m honestly feeling really angry and anxious about this situation and don’t know what my next step should be. I lease a car, and the car had already been experiencing a lock malfunction. I accidentally locked my keys inside the car, but I genuinely believe this happened because of the car’s existing lock issue. I had actually sent the leasing company/person a video documenting the lock problem after. The car also has insurance and roadside assistance included, but when I was stranded on the side of the road and couldn’t access my car, I realised I had never been given the roadside assistance number. I tried calling the company and the person I leased the car from, but nobody answered. I was alone and needed to get into the car, so I had no choice but to call a locksmith.
The locksmith ended up charging me $400, which was an extreme overcharge/scam. I paid it because I was stranded and just needed access to my car.
I contacted the leasing company afterwards and requested reimbursement. Initially, they agreed to reimburse the $400 and told me it would be deducted from my next invoice. However, when the invoice actually arrived, the $400 had not been deducted. When I contacted them, they then told me they couldn’t reimburse me because it wasn’t their fault.
I’m extremely frustrated because:
● The car already had a documented lock malfunction.
● I had roadside assistance included with the car/insurance.
● I was never provided with the roadside assistance contact number.
● I tried contacting the company/person responsible but couldn’t reach anyone.
● I had to pay a locksmith because I was stranded.
● The locksmith charged me $400, which I believe was an unreasonable/scam price.
● Most importantly, the company initially told me they would reimburse me and then went back on that agreement.

I’m just really struggling with the anger and anxiety from the whole situation. $400 is a lot of money to me, and I feel like I was put in a position where I had no choice but to pay it. I know I need to let it go eventually, but right now I feel like I’ve been completely taken advantage of and yes I was stupid for this but I just feel so much resentment and sadness. It’s not about the money :(

Posted Sep 2, 2026, 12:36 PM UTC

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