A local locksmith says that consumers are being misled by a new scam involving unlicensed locksmiths in the phone book.

John Sousa is one of 12 locksmiths that the Rockland County Consumer Protection Agency (CPA) says has the required home improvement license. However, Sousa claims that Super Media, the publisher for Verizon Yellow Pages, is putting in listings for locksmiths that are not legitimate.

According to Sousa, the phony locksmiths either say they have a state license, which doesn't exist, or they lie and say a license isn't required. He says there needs to be checks as to what gets published.

The CPA says Sousa's complaint appears to be legitimate and it's conducting an investigation into the matter. Super Media says it conducts background checks on paid advertisers, but that other listings are provided by Verizon.