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Contractors State License Board Turns Up Heat on Illegal and Deceptive Internet Advertisements

New warning after second wave of multi-state enforcement operations

SACRAMENTO — For the second time in three months, the California Contractors State License Board (CSLB) has teamed up with contracting boards from around the country, as well as the National Association of State Contractors Licensing Agencies (NASCLA), to draw attention to illegal and deceptive ads on popular Internet bulletin boards like craigslist.

The agencies are warning consumers who are looking for a contractor and who use craigslist or other similar websites about the extreme risk of hiring someone whose only goal is to rip them off.

"While craigslist serves as a valuable free tool for legitimately licensed and insured contractors, the number of illegal and deceptive ads is growing like wildfire," said CSLB Registrar Steve Sands. "As a result, it's difficult, if not impossible, for consumers to figure out who's legitimate and who isn't."

Last week, contractor boards in seven states (Arizona, California, Nevada, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Carolina, and Utah) conducted enforcement operations, targeting illegal craigslist ads. Three undercover sting operations took place in California (San Jose, Hanford, and Mission Hills).

CSLB investigators posed as homeowners and asked for home improvement bids on projects that included roofing, landscaping, painting, and fencing. All home improvement jobs valued at $500 or more (combined labor and material costs) must be conducted by a company or person with a contractor license issued by CSLB.

A total of 36 individuals were arrested and now face misdemeanor charges of contracting without a license (Business and Professions Code section 7028). Two of those arrested are registered sex offenders; another is a convicted felon for statutory rape. One individual was caught in a CSLB sting in 2010 and now faces a mandatory 90-day jail sentence if convicted a second time.

Thirty of the individuals also will be charged with illegal advertising (Business and Professions Code section 7027.1). State law requires contractors to place their license number in all print, broadcast, and online advertisements. Those without a license can advertise to perform jobs valued at less than $500, but the ad must state that they are not a licensed contractor.

A number of others will be charged with requesting an excessive down payment (Business and Professions Code section 7159.5). In California, a down payment cannot exceed 10 percent of the contract total or $1,000, whichever is less. The misdemeanor charges carry a maximum penalty of six months in jail and/or up to a $5,000 fine.

Eight of the phony contractors also were issued Stop Orders (Business and Professions Code section 7127). CSLB investigators can halt job site activity when any person with or without a contractor license does not have workers' compensation insurance coverage for employees. Failure to comply with a Stop Order can result in misdemeanor charges and penalties, including 60 days in jail and/or up to $10,000 in fines.

The issue of illegal online advertising isn't new. CSLB addressed the problem with craigslist in 2006 and 2007. As a result, craigslist has a link to contractor license information at the top of its "Skilled Trade Services" page, and to the California Department of Consumer Affairs website.

The company also added an additional step into the advertisement posting process that requires the user to indicate whether he or she is licensed. Regrettably, unlicensed operators quickly found a way around the requirement and now the process is virtually useless. CSLB has tried, unsuccessfully, to have craigslist address these concerns. In addition, unlicensed operators also are advertising in different sections of the website; a number of targets from last week's sting had ads in the "Household Services" section.

Following are the results of California's three undercover sting operations:

San Jose Sting (Santa Clara County) 11 NTAs
SUSPECT'S NAME WORK
CLASSIFICATION		 VIOLATIONS
Oscar Alberto Romero C-13 - Fencing Contracting without a license, illegal advertising
Ervin Kolasinac C-15 - Flooring and Floor Covering Contracting without a license, illegal advertising
Nicolas Teodorico Silvestre, Jr. C-54 - Ceramic and Mosaic Tile Contracting without a license, illegal advertising
Nicholas Paul Garcia C-27 - Landscaping Contracting without a license, illegal advertising
Rick George Candelaria* C-54 - Ceramic and Mosaic Tile Contracting without a license, illegal advertising
Cesar Marrujo C-33 - Painting and Decorating Contracting without a license, illegal advertising
Thomas Robert Meier C-54 - Ceramic and Mosaic Tile Contracting without a license, illegal advertising
Gregory Yhip* C-15 - Flooring and Floor Covering Contracting without a license, illegal advertising
Rudy Cruz Ucelo C-33 - Painting and Decorating Contracting without a license, illegal advertising
Son Quoc Tran C-15 - Flooring and Floor Covering Contracting without a license, illegal advertising
Leon Vernon Fisher C-23 - Ornamental Metal Contracting without a license, illegal advertising
* Denotes Registered Sex Offender
Hanford Sting (Kings County) 14 NTAs
SUSPECT'S NAME WORK
CLASSIFICATION		 VIOLATIONS
Miguel Hernandez Cortez C-33 - Painting and Decorating Contracting without a license, illegal advertising, excessive down payment, stop order-workers' comp.
Benjamin Enos Cordeiro D-49 - Tree Service Contracting without a license, illegal advertising, stop order-workers' comp.
Ricky Dean Hudson D-49 - Tree Service Contracting without a license, illegal advertising, stop order-workers' comp.
Edward James Heinz** C-13 - Fencing Contracting without a license, illegal advertising, stop order-workers' comp.
Avelino Cervantes Castellanos D-49 - Tree Service Contracting without a license, illegal advertising
Joshua Allen Caetano D-49 - Tree Service Contracting without a license, illegal advertising, excessive down payment
Jordan Michael Torres D-49 - Tree Service Contracting without a license, illegal advertising, excessive down payment
Edgar Valencia Padilla C-33 - Painting and Decorating Contracting without a license, illegal advertising, excessive down payment
David Rodarte C-39 - Roofing Contracting without a license, illegal advertising, stop order-workers' comp.
Bradley Martin Wright C-13 - Fencing Contracting without a license, illegal advertising, excessive down payment, stop order-workers' comp.
Cameron Clark Waller C-13 - Fencing Contracting without a license, illegal advertising, excessive down payment, stop order-workers' comp.
Francisco Calderon Lopez D-49 - Tree Service Contracting without a license, illegal advertising, excessive down payment, stop order-workers' comp.
Enrique Flores Montelongo D-49 - Tree Service Contracting without a license, illegal advertising, excessive down payment
Arnoldo David Flores D-49 - Tree Service Contracting without a license, illegal advertising, excessive down payment
** Denotes Repeat Offender
Mission Hills Sting (Los Angeles County) 11 NTAs
SUSPECT'S NAME WORK
CLASSIFICATION		 VIOLATIONS
Ivan Fuller C-33 - Painting and Decorating Contracting without a license, illegal advertising
Juan Garcia Miranda C-33 - Painting and Decorating Contracting without a license
Miguel Angel Garcia C-33 - Painting and Decorating Contracting without a license
Luis Mario Ruiz C-15 - Flooring and Floor Covering Contracting without a license, excessive down payment
Carlos Alberto Yanes-Nolasco*** C-15 - Flooring and Floor Covering Contracting without a license, excessive down payment
Jack Lee Wright C-33 - Painting and Decorating Contracting without a license
Joe Raul Carrion B - General Building Contracting without a license, illegal advertising, excessive down payment
Fabian Martinez C-33 - Painting and Decorating Contracting without a license, illegal advertising, excessive down payment, stop order-workers' comp.
Ovendya Mantsur C-29 - Masonry Contracting without a license
Carlos Alex Trujillo C-33 - Painting and Decorating Contracting without a license, illegal advertising, excessive down payment
Carlos Prado C-33 - Painting and Decorating Contracting without a license, illegal advertising
*** Denotes conviction for statutory rape

CSLB urges consumers to follow these tips before hiring anyone to work on his or her home or business:

  • Look for the contractor's state license number. California law requires it to be in all forms of advertising.
  • If the contractor doesn't have a state license, the ad must state that fact.
  • In California, unlicensed people can't take jobs valued at $500 or more (combined labor and materials).
  • Don't be misled by unlicensed contractors who give you a business or "handyman" license number.
  • Before you call anyone for a bid, check the license number on CSLB's Instant License Check feature to make sure the license is in good standing, and that employees are covered by workers' compensation insurance.
  • Contractors are required to have their plastic pocket license or Home Improvement Salesperson registration card with them. Ask to see it when getting your bid.
  • Ask to see a photo ID to verify the person's identity.
  • Get at least three bids, check references and previous work, and get a detailed written contract.
  • Don't pay more than 10 percent or $1,000, whichever is less, as a down payment.
  • Don't pay in cash, and don't let payments get ahead of the work.

The California Contractors State License Board operates under the umbrella of the California Department of Consumer Affairs. More information and publications about hiring contractors are available on CSLB's website or by calling (800) 321-CSLB (2752). You also can sign up for CSLB email alerts. CSLB licenses and regulates California's 300,000 contractors, and is regarded as one of the leading consumer protection agencies in the United States. In fiscal year 2011-12, CSLB helped recover nearly $36 million in ordered restitution for consumers. .

June 20, 2012 Consumer Alert

Online Bulletin Board Safety Tips

 

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Archived News Releases

2018
2017
Bullet Item 12/21/2017 CSLB & CDI Urge Southern California Wildfire Victims to Beware of Wildfire Disaster Scams, especially Unlicensed Contracting
Bullet Item 11/3/2017 Unlicensed Suspects Place $30K Bids in CSLB SoCal Sting
Bullet Item 10/31/2017 CSLB Licensing Workshop Offers Helpful Information for Applicants
Bullet Item 10/13/2017 Contractors State License Board Urges Wildfire Victims to Only Hire Licensed Contractors for Repairs or Rebuilding
Bullet Item 10/12/2017 CSLB Uncovers Fraudulent Behavior in East Palo Alto Sting
Bullet Item 10/5/2017 CSLB Shows Unlicensed Workers are Active in Orange County
Bullet Item 9/19/2017 CSLB Reinforces Contracting Laws During Undercover Sting in Hanford
Bullet Item 8/31/2017 CSLB Investigators Stop Unlicensed Workers in Oceanside
Bullet Item 8/23/2017 Fresno Undercover Sting Leads to Warning for Homeowners Considering Home Improvement Projects
Bullet Item 7/19/2017 Red Flags in Online Ads Helps CSLB Target Unlicensed Contractors for Merced County Undercover Sting
Bullet Item 7/14/2017 Contractors Board Warns Butte County Wildfire Victims about Risks of Hiring Unlicensed Contractors
Bullet Item 6/29/2017 Contractors State License Board Stings and Sweeps Shasta County Unlicensed Contractors
Bullet Item 6/27/2017 CSLB Monterey Undercover Sting Operation Highlights Risks of Hiring Unlicensed Contractors
Bullet Item 6/28/2017 Contractors State License Board Catches One Hundred in Statewide Series of Unlicensed Contractor Stings and Sweeps
Bullet Item 6/29/2017 CSLB Nets 29 Unlicensed Contractors During Double Sting Operations in Los Angeles and Orange Counties
Bullet Item 6/27/2017 Online Bulletin Boards Help CSLB Pin Down Unlicensed Contractors in Bakersfield
Bullet Item 6/22/2017 San Diego County Undercover Sting Reunites CSLB with Revoked Licensee
Bullet Item 5/17/2017 Illegal Advertisements Help CSLB Track Down Unlicensed Contractors for Northridge Undercover Sting
Bullet Item 5/3/2017 CSLB Undercover Sting Operation Shows Need to "Check the License First"
Bullet Item 4/26/2017 Visalia Undercover Sting Spotlights Importance of License, Insurance When Hiring a Home Improvement Contractor
Bullet Item 4/21/2017 CSLB Sting Exposes Fraudulent use of Contractor License
Bullet Item 4/21/2017 Contractors State License Board Reaches Settlement to Revoke License of General Contractor in Berkeley Balcony Collapse Case
Bullet Item 4/17/2017 CSLB Undercover Sting Unveils Unlicensed Workers in Newbury Park
Bullet Item 4/7/2017 CSLB Investigation Leads to Arrest of Three Sonoma County Men, Now Facing Upwards of Fifty Charges
Bullet Item 4/6/2017 CSLB Finds Suspects Violating Contracting Laws in Morro Bay
Bullet Item 4/3/2017 Unlicensed Contractors Pour in During CSLB Undercover Sting Operation in Roseville
Bullet Item 3/28/2017 CSLB Warns Southland Homeowners to Avoid Risky Business
Bullet Item 3/8/2017 CSLB Issues Statewide Consumer Alert After Winter Storms Attract Traveling Groups of Unlicensed Pavers to California
Bullet Item 3/6/2017 CSLB Sting Nets 21 Unlicensed Contractors Proving Consumers May Pay a Bigger Price If They Don’t “Check the License First”
Bullet Item 2/17/2017 CSLB Investigators Find Repeat Offenders During Undercover Sting
Bullet Item 2/15/2017 Rainy Weather Doesn’t Deter Flood of Those Illegally Trying to Contract for Home Improvement Jobs in Santa Clara County
Bullet Item 2/2/2017 CSLB Finds Contractors Lacking Licenses and Workers’ Comp Insurance in Merced County
Bullet Item 1/26/2017 CSLB Warns Homeowners to Do Their Homework Before Undertaking Storm Repairs
Bullet Item 1/13/2017 Contractors State License Board Offers Advice for Consumers Ready to Make Flood Repairs
2016
Bullet Item 12/14/2016 CSLB Cites 12 Unlicensed Operators in a San Fernando Sting
Bullet Item 11/30/2016 Contractors State License Board Files Accusation to Suspend or Revoke License of General Contractor in Berkeley Balcony Collapse Case
Bullet Item 11/28/2016 For Some Unlicensed Contractors Caught in Fresno Undercover Sting It Was Like Déjà vu All Over Again
Bullet Item 11/8/2016 Two Unlicensed Contractors Taken to Jail for Arrest Warrants After Caught in CSLB Undercover Sting Operation
Bullet Item 11/8/2016 Contractors State License Board Warns Homeowners to be Aware of Unlicensed Tree Companies During Fall Clean-Up Season
Bullet Item 10/25/2016 Contractors State License Board Sting Uncovers Ex-Con, Repeat Offenders, and Loaded Firearm
Bullet Item 9/27/2016 CSLB Targets Unlicensed Operators Trying to Take Advantage of California Consumers
Bullet Item 9/14/2016 CSLB Teams Target Unlicensed Contractors in Marin County
Bullet Item 9/7/2016 In Napa, Another Kind of Harvest – Unlicensed Contractors
Bullet Item 9/6/2016 CSLB Catches Six Shady Contractors in Tehama
Bullet Item 8/31/2016 CSLB Investigators Find Unlicensed Contractors Online
Bullet Item 8/22/2016 CSLB Demo Project: Unlicensed Contracting on Central Coast
Bullet Item 8/16/2016 CSLB Puts a Stop to Illegal Contractors in Simi Valley
Bullet Item 8/3/2016 Contractor License, Insurance Law Ignored in CSLB Kern Sting
Bullet Item 7/19/2016 CSLB Shuts Down Illegal Operators During Sting in Monterey
Bullet Item 7/7/2016 CSLB Takes On Unlicensed Contractors in Tulare County
Bullet Item 7/1/2016 CSLB, Other Agencies Reach Out to Erskine Fire Victims
Bullet Item 6/27/2016 Eureka! CSLB Cites Unlicensed Contractors on North Coast
Bullet Item 6/20/2016 CSLB Sting Goes After Illegal Contracting in SoCal High Desert
Bullet Item 6/16/2016 Illegal Contractors Crossed the Line In South Lake Tahoe Sting
Bullet Item 5/31/2016 CSLB Cites 17 Unlicensed Contractors in Madera Crackdown
Bullet Item 5/31/2016 Unlicensed Contractors with Criminal Pasts Caught in L.A. Area
Bullet Item 5/23/2016 Repeat Contracting Violator in Bakersfield Ordered to Jail
Bullet Item 5/2/2016 CSLB Investigators Find Phony Contractors in Sacramento
Bullet Item 4/29/2016 Contractors in San Diego Area Looked Legitimate, But Weren’t
Bullet Item 4/11/2016 83 Unlicensed Contractors Feel Sting of CSLB’s Spring Blitz
Bullet Item 3/29/2016 CSLB Nearing Completion of its Investigation of Contractors Involved in Berkeley Balcony Collapse
Bullet Item 3/22/2016 CSLB Uncovers More Than Unlicensed Contractors During Merced Sting
Bullet Item 3/14/2016 In Napa, CSLB Finds Unlicensed Contractors Thriving Online
Bullet Item 3/14/2016 Unlicensed Painters in Marin Need to Brush Up on Law
Bullet Item 3/1/2016 CSLB Cites 18 On Illegal Contracting Charges in Vallejo Sting
Bullet Item 2/29/2016 Handymen Defy Contracting Law at CSLB Sting in San Diego
Bullet Item 2/19/2016 No Contractor Licenses, Workers’ Comp at CSLB Sting in Hanford
Bullet Item 2/17/2016 CSLB Weeds Out 21 Unlicensed Contractors in Santa Maria Sting
Bullet Item 2/16/2016 CSLB Snares 23 on Illegal Contracting Charges in a Pair of L.A.-Area Undercover Sting Operations
Bullet Item 2/12/2016 Thumbtack Website and Online Bulletins Help CSLB Pin Down Illegal Contractors in San Joaquin County
Bullet Item 2/1/2016 Online Try to Sabotage CSLB’s Riverside County Sting Fails; 10 Cited
Bullet Item 1/29/2016 CSLB Discovers Illegal Contractors Flooding San Diego While Homeowners Prepare for El Niño
2015
Bullet Item 12/9/2015 CSLB Stages United Front Against Unlicensed Contractors in San Benito
Bullet Item 12/8/2015 CSLB Goes Online to Stop Illegal Contracting in Contra Costa
Bullet Item 12/7/2015 CSLB Urges Consumers to Be Aware of Unlicensed Contractors Using El Niño to Try to Get Home Improvement Jobs
Bullet Item 11/23/2015 Out-Of-State Contractors Flout Law in CSLB’s Desert Cities Operation
Bullet Item 11/23/2015 CSLB Sweeps Through Valley Fire Remains, Makes Felony Arrest
Bullet Item 11/18/2015 Contractors State License Board Investigators Make What May Be Easiest Arrest Ever of Unlicensed Contractor
Bullet Item 10/19/2015 Contractors Board Puts Sting on Unlicensed Contractors in Statewide Undercover Operation
Bullet Item 09/28/2015 CSLB Inland Empire Sting Catches 12 for Illegal Contracting
Bullet Item 09/16/2015 Unlicensed Contractors Plentiful in Nevada County
Bullet Item 09/15/2015 Contractors State License Board Offers Resources for Northern California Wildfire Victims
Bullet Item 09/08/2015 Calaveras: Home of Big Trees, Lots of Unlicensed Contractors
Bullet Item 09/01/2015 CSLB Finds More than Unlicensed Contractors in Tehachapi Sting
Bullet Item 09/01/2015 CSLB Sting Targets Bogus Contractors in Sacramento
Bullet Item 08/26/2015 CSLB Tracks Down San Gabriel Valley Unlicensed Contractors Through Illegal Advertisements
Bullet Item 08/21/2015 Sonoma County Homeowners Warned to Beware of licensed Contractors Who Look Legit, But Aren’t
Bullet Item 08/18/2015 CSLB Exposes Risks of Hiring Illegal Contractors during Merced Sting
Bullet Item 08/11/2015 Jail Time Added to One of CSLB’s Convicted “Most Wanted”
Bullet Item 08/04/2015 Sixteen Illegal Operators Caught by CSLB, Sanger Investigators
Bullet Item 07/24/2015 CSLB Catches Up to Unlicensed Contractors in L.A. County Sting
Bullet Item 07/01/2015 CSLB Catches Felons, Other Known Criminals in Series of Statewide Undercover Sting Operations
Bullet Item 06/01/2015 Repeat Offenders during CSLB Fresno Sting Proves Need to “Check The License First”
Bullet Item 06/01/2015 CSLB Sting Shuts Down Illegal Contracting in Bay Point
Bullet Item 05/29/2015 CSLB Sting in Woodland Hills Shows “Handymen” Crossing Legal Line
Bullet Item 05/22/2015 CSLB Sends a Message to Unlicensed Contractors in Santa Rosa
Bullet Item 05/13/2015 Unlicensed Contractors Face Multiple Criminal Charges After CSLB Sting in Santa Cruz
Bullet Item 04/30/2015 CSLB’s Compton Sting Shows Phony Landscapers Sprout in Drought
Bullet Item 04/13/2015 CSLB Drives Home Message to Unlicensed Contractors in Ventura County
Bullet Item 04/10/2015 Contractors State License Board, Bonney Plumbing Reach Settlement
Bullet Item 03/27/2015 CSLB Reminds Contractors to Register with DIR Before Bidding on Public Works Projects
Bullet Item 03/13/2015 CSLB Catches Felons, Other Known Criminals in Simultaneous Statewide Undercover Sting Operations
Bullet Item 02/26/2015 Almost Two Dozen Bogus Contractors Caught in Less Than One Week at Contractors State License Board’s Sacramento-Area Stings
Bullet Item 02/25/2015 CSLB Finds Repeat Offenders in Alhambra Undercover Sting
Bullet Item 02/18/2015 Contractors State License Board Teams with Local Agencies to Target Orange County Unlicensed Contractors
Bullet Item 02/18/2015 Bogus Contractor with Criminal Past Among Fresno-Area Sting Suspects
Bullet Item 02/11/2015 Contractors State License Board Releases Information on Licensee Arrested in San Diego TV Sports Anchor Shooting
Bullet Item 02/02/2015 CSLB Tosses Wrench into Illegal Los Angeles County Contracting Plans
Bullet Item 02/02/2015 Craigslist Remains Fertile Ground for Predatory Unlicensed Contractors in California
Bullet Item 01/28/2015 CSLB Sting Catches 12 Bogus Contractors in Madera
Bullet Item 01/12/2015 Contractors State License Board Issues 1,000,000th Contractor License
2014
Bullet Item 12/29/2014 CSLB Holiday Sting Targets Fake Contractors in Monterey County
Bullet Item 12/17/2014 Cindi Christenson Named Contractors State License Board Registrar of Contractors
Bullet Item 12/03/2014 Contractors State License Board Urges Storm Victims to “Check the License First” Before Making Repairs
Bullet Item 11/17/2014 CSLB Puts Stop to Unlicensed Contractors in Hanford
Bullet Item 11/10/2014 CSLB Catches Felons, Other Known Criminals in Statewide Undercover Sting Operations
Bullet Item 10/27/2014 Check Out Contractor First: 10 Cited in Simi Valley Sting
Bullet Item 10/20/2014 Watch Out for Contractors Who Try to ‘Share’ a License
Bullet Item 10/09/2014 Contractors State License Board Goes Undercover to Catch Unlicensed Contractors in South Napa Earthquake Sting Operation
Bullet Item 09/30/2014 Contractors Board Finds Fresno Craigslist Fertile Ground for Unlicensed Activity
Bullet Item 09/29/2014 CSLB Catches Five in Crestline/Lake Arrowhead Sting Operation
Bullet Item 09/24/2014 Where There’s Smoke, There’s…Unlicensed Contracting
Bullet Item 08/29/2014 CSLB Catches Phony Contractors Red-Handed in Red Bluff
Bullet Item 08/24/2014 CSLB Urges Napa Earthquake Victims to Only Hire Licensed Contractors for Repairs
Bullet Item 08/21/2014 CSLB Sting Uses Craigslist to Target Phony Contractors in Ventura County
Bullet Item 08/13/2014 CSLB Uses Team Approach in Santa Monica Contractor Sting
Bullet Item 07/31/2014 Contractors Board and Local District Attorneys Warn Unlicensed Contractors to Stay Away from Sand Fire Burn Areas
Bullet Item 07/22/2014 CSLB Warns Consumers about Deceptive Home Improvement Offers, Contract Cancellation Rights
Bullet Item 07/18/2014 Sex Offenders, Convicted Felons Snagged in Contractors State License Board Statewide Sting
Bullet Item 07/01/2014 CSLB Undercover Sting in Folsom Draws Full House of Unlicensed Operators
Bullet Item 06/25/2014 CSLB Arrests 10 Illegal Contracting Suspects During Alameda County Undercover Sting
Bullet Item 06/05/2014 Ten Unlicensed Contractors Arrested in San Marcos Wildfire Area
Bullet Item 06/03/2014 CSLB Sting in Seaside Drives Home the Importance of Verifying a Contractor License Number
Bullet Item 05/30/2014 CSLB Sting Snares 12 Illegal Contracting Suspects in San Mateo County
Bullet Item 05/13/2014 Another Subcontractor on Large Southern California Project Told To Halt Work, Fined for Not Having Contractors License
Bullet Item 05/05/2014 Illegal Contractor Wanted for DUI, Domestic Violence Arrested in Bakersfield CSLB Undercover Sting
Bullet Item 05/02/2014 California, Nevada Stage ‘Border Blitz’ Against Phony Contractors
Bullet Item 04/30/2014 Lesson Not Learned for Repeat Offenders Caught in CSLB Sting Operations
Bullet Item 04/11/2014 Part of $150 Million San Diego Construction Project Stopped after Sub-Contractor Cited for Not Having Contractors License
Bullet Item 04/01/2014 More than 120 Unlicensed Contractors Caught by CSLB in California Blitz
Bullet Item 02/27/2014 Ragtag Assortment of Suspects Arrested in Pioneer CSLB Undercover Sting
Bullet Item 02/10/2014 CSLB Consumer Alert: Nevada Most Wanted Suspects May Be Working in Northern California
Bullet Item 02/05/2014 Grass Definitely Not Greener for Those Caught in CSLB Sting
Bullet Item 01/21/2014 Drought Resistant Landscaping New Target for Illegal Contractors in Rancho Murieta CSLB Sting
Bullet Item 01/17/2014 Six Illegal Contractors Caught during CSLB Sting in Rural Fresno County Town
Bullet Item 01/16/2014 CSLB Undercover Sting Nets 18 Suspects in Culver City
2013
Bullet Item 12/20/2013 Convicted Rapist Nabbed in Sacramento County Contractors State License Board Undercover Sting
Bullet Item 11/26/2013 Unusual Weekend CSLB Sting in Roseville Yields Big Results
Bullet Item 11/26/2013 Fake San Diego Area Contractors Caught by CSLB during Undercover Sting
Bullet Item 11/22/2013 It Was Raining Illegal Contractors at Hayward CSLB Sting Operation
Bullet Item 11/8/2013 CSLB Undercover Sting in Artesia Catches All First_Time Offenders
Bullet Item 10/25/2013 Repeat Offenders Caught Working Illegally in Yucaipa by Contractors State License Board
Bullet Item 10/18/2013 Fifteen Unlicensed Operators Caught in One_Day Kern County Undercover Sting Conducted by Contractors State License Board
Bullet Item 10/14/2013 Sex Offenders, Convicted Felons Snagged in Contractors State License Board Statewide Sting
Bullet Item 9/27/2013 CSLB Undercover Sting in Santa Monica Leaves Unlicensed Painters Feeling Blue
Bullet Item 9/4/2013 Unlicensed Contractor Convicted in Monterey County Elder Abuse Case Sentenced to State Prison
Bullet Item 8/30/2013 Unlicensed Electrician Being Held Without Bail After Arrest at Monterey County Superior Court House
Bullet Item 8/29/2013 Fake Contractors, and Real Ones Not Following Rules Get Surprised at CSLB Roseville Sting
Bullet Item 8/27/2013 Ventura County Grand Jury Indicts Revoked CSLB Licensee Avi Gozlan after Elaborate Scheme to Defraud Consumers
Bullet Item 8/9/2013 CSLB Sting in Hanford Finds Phony Contractors Duping Consumers Out of Illegal Down Payments
Bullet Item 8/2/2013 CSLB Picks Off Illegal Contractors in Napa Sting Operation
Bullet Item 7/29/2013 15 Feel the Sting from CSLB for Illegal Contracting in Concord
Bullet Item 7/19/2013 Contractors State License Board Cracks Down on Unlicensed Activity during California Blitz Operation
Bullet Item 7/12/2013 CSLB Alerts Central Coast Residents about Illegal Electrician
Bullet Item 6/20/2013 Illegal Contractors Advertising on Internet Still Being Caught in Los Angeles Area CSLB Stings
Bullet Item 6/11/2013 CSLB Catches Several Contractors with Revoked, Expired Licenses in Rancho Cordova
Bullet Item 5/30/2013 CSLB Stings a Dozen Fake Contractors in Central Valley Enforcement Operation
Bullet Item 5/9/2013 Illegal Contractors Don't Heed Warning, or Law, in L.A._Area CSLB Sting
Bullet Item 5/6/2013 CSLB Catches 15 Illegal Contractors in Hot, Gusty Desert Sting
Bullet Item 4/29/2013 CSLB Hits Rich Vein in Gold Country with Unlicensed Contractor Stings
Bullet Item 4/23/2013 Repeat Offenders Nabbed in Saturday El Dorado Hills Undercover Sting
Bullet Item 4/11/2013 Unlicensed Contractors Nailed in Targeted El Dorado County Sting
Bullet Item 4/4/2013 Two SoCal Men Added to CSLB’s Most Wanted List, One Arrested in Fresno
Bullet Item 3/26/2013 Arrest Made in Scam Targeting CSLB Applicants, Licensees
Bullet Item 3/18/2013 Contractors State License Board Cracks Down on Unlicensed Activity during California Blitz Operation
Bullet Item 2/28/2013 Eight Unlicensed Contractors Caught in San Jose Neighborhood
Bullet Item 2/23/2013 CSLB’s Oakdale Sting Turns Up DUI Violator, Illegal Contractors
Bullet Item 2/22/2013 CSLB Looking for Additional Victims in Growing Monterey County Elder Abuse Case
Bullet Item 2/19/2013 No Love Lost for Valentine’s Day Contracting Law Violators
Bullet Item 2/19/2013 Contractors State License Board Investigation Leads to Arrest, Multiple Felony Charges in Multi_Million Dollar Case
Bullet Item 1/31/2013 Contractors State License Board Busts Two in Kings County Who Should Have Known Better
Bullet Item 1/25/2013 CSLB Undercover Sting in Fresno Targets Phony Contractors Advertising on Craigslist
Bullet Item 1/22/2013 Former Unlicensed Contractor Helps CSLB Sting His Competition
2012
Bullet Item 12/31/2012 New, Revised Laws Affect State Contracting Practices
Bullet Item 12/19/2012 Double Trouble: No Contractor License or Workers’ Comp Insurance
Bullet Item 12/12/2012 Illegal Contractors Get a Holiday Surprise in Cameron Park
Bullet Item 12/5/2012 CSLB Catches Dozen Unlicensed Operators in Camarillo Undercover Sting
Bullet Item 12/3/2012 CSLB Reminds Storm Victims to Check the License First Before Making Repairs
Bullet Item 11/9/2012 CSLB Uses Disciplinary Tools on Unlicensed Contractors Caught in Fair Oaks Undercover Sting
Bullet Item 10/19/2012 CSLB Cracks Down on Unlicensed Activity during California Blitz
Bullet Item 10/5/2012 Craigslist Again Serves as Fertile Ground to Identify Illegal and Deceptive Ads for CSLB Undercover Sting
Bullet Item 9/28/2012 CSLB Catches Eight in Clovis Undercover Sting
Bullet Item 9/19/2012 CSLB Turns Up Heat on Illegal and Deceptive Internet Advertisements
Bullet Item 8/31/2012 CSLB Catches Repeat Offender in Butte County Undercover Sting
Bullet Item 8/28/2012 Unlicensed Tree Trimmer Faces Felony Charge after CSLB Targeted Sting in Monterey County
Bullet Item 8/15/2012 CSLB Warns Consumers Not to Pay More than 10 Percent Up Front
Bullet Item 8/1/2012 Illegal Operator Learns the Hard Way in Riverside County
Bullet Item 7/30/2012 Dozen Caught in CSLB Scotts Valley Sting Operation
Bullet Item 7/26/2012 Six Phony Home Improvement Contractors Snared in San Bernardino
Bullet Item 7/13/2012 Nine Caught Unlawfully Contracting in Siskiyou County
Bullet Item 7/9/2012 Operation Underground Takes Aim at ""Off the Books"" Activity
Bullet Item 6/29/2012 Construction Lien Protection Laws Change July 1, 2012
Bullet Item 6/20/2012 CSLB Warns Consumers about Illegal and Deceptive Internet Advertisements
Bullet Item 5/29/2012 CSLB Busts Repeat Offender and Eight Others in Fresno for Home Improvement Contracting Fraud
Bullet Item 5/25/2012 Bay Area Serial Offender Lands Back on CSLB’s Most Wanted List
Bullet Item 5/18/2012 Second Annual Cal-Neva Border Blitz Nets 16 Phony Contractors
Bullet Item 4/30/2012 CSLB Targets Fraudulent Home Improvement Contractor in Fresno
Bullet Item 4/27/2012 Expired Licensee and Others Contracting Unlawfully Caught in Lincoln
Bullet Item 4/25/2012 CSLB Sting Finds Fraudulent Use of Contractor Licenses and Other Violations
Bullet Item 4/23/2012 Convicted Thief Among Those Caught in CSLB Undercover Sting
Bullet Item 3/22/2012 CSLB and Partners Hit Unlicensed Contractors with One-Two-Three Punch
Bullet Item 3/16/2012 CSLB Catches 110 in Statewide Series of Undercover Stings
Bullet Item 3/8/2012 Five-Day Bay Area Sting Operation Targets Workers’ Compensation Violators
Bullet Item 2/24/2012 CSLB and Partners Sink Orange County Swimming Pool Pariah
Bullet Item 2/22/2012 CSLB Doesn’t Have to Go Far to Arrest Revoked Licensee
Bullet Item 2/13/2012 Illegal Operator Corrects Offenses after Three CSLB Busts
Bullet Item 2/10/2012 Speedy Suspect Can Run But Not Hide from SWIFT
Bullet Item 2/3/2012 CSLB Suspends Contractor License after Worker Death in Milpitas
Bullet Item 1/23/2012 Scammer on Felony Probation Snared in CSLB Sting
Bullet Item 1/20/2012 CSLB and Partners Put Freeze on Unlicensed Home Improvement Contracting
Bullet Item 1/18/2012 CSLB Fresno Sting Sends 21 to Court for Ripping Off Consumers
2011
Bullet Item 12/30/2011 Homeowner Protection and Responsibility to Increase in the New Year
Bullet Item 12/2/2011 CSLB Encourages Vigilance When Making Wind Storm Repair
Bullet Item 12/2/2011 Gusty Winds Don’t Slow Down CSLB Undercover Sting in San Joaquin County
Bullet Item 11/22/2011 San Jose Undercover Operation Turns up a Dozen Unlicensed, Uninsured Operators Contracting for Home Improvement Projects
Bullet Item 11/16/2011 Changing Your HVAC System? Don’t Forget Permits
Bullet Item 10/18/2011 CSLB’s Statewide California Blitz Sends 113 to Court
Bullet Item 10/7/2011 It’s Déjà vu All Over Again for Unlicensed, Uninsured Tree Trimmer
Bullet Item 10/5/2011 Illegal Operator on Revoked License Convicted of Failing to Insure Workers
Bullet Item 10/4/2011 Déjà vu is Costly for Unlicensed, Uninsured Tree Trimmer
Bullet Item 9/8/2011 Merced Undercover Operation Stops Unlicensed, Uninsured Operators from Contracting for Home Improvement
Bullet Item 9/6/2011 CSLB Sting Sends One Illegal Operator to Jail and May Disconnect Another
Bullet Item 9/2/2011 Clovis Undercover Operation Nets 16 for Home Improvement and Insurance Violations
Bullet Item 8/15/2011 CSLB Revokes License of Once-Prominent Sacramento Area Restaurateur and Developer
Bullet Item 8/12/2011 Unlicensed Operators Busted for Soliciting Illegally Large Down Payments and Using Bogus Licenses
Bullet Item 8/1/2011 After Five Years, CSLB Finally Able to Close Aquarius Pools Case
Bullet Item 7/22/2011 CSLB Pulls Out All the Stop Orders at Kern County Undercover Operation
Bullet Item 7/6/2011 Illegal, Unlicensed Operator Pleads Guilty to Contracting and Insurance Fraud
Bullet Item 7/6/2011 CSLB and Partners Sting 15 for Contracting Without Licenses
Bullet Item 6/24/2011 Eight Phony Contractors Caught in West Covina Sting
Bullet Item 6/23/2011 Underground Economy Targeted in Two-Day Statewide Sweep & Sting Operation
Bullet Item 6/21/2011 CSLB Goes Undercover to Sting 11 in Woodland
Bullet Item 6/20/2011 Suspended and Expired Licensees Among Those Cited in Santa Cruz Sting
Bullet Item 6/17/2011 CSLB Most Wanted Offender Arrested
Bullet Item 6/3/2011 Revoked Licensees and Repeat Offender Among Those Illegally Contracting in La Jolla
Bullet Item 5/20/2011 First Ever Cal-Neva Border Blitz Targets Unlicensed Operators
Bullet Item 5/20/2011 Bakersfield Tree Service Scammer Sentenced to Jail on Third Conviction
Bullet Item 5/9/2011 Contractor with Revoked License Sentenced in Amador County
Bullet Item 4/25/2011 CSLB Teams Up with South Pasadena Police to Send Message to Illegal Operators
Bullet Item 4/22/2011 Two Repeat Offenders Among 10 Nabbed in Chico Sting
Bullet Item 4/14/2011 CSLB Recognizes Monterey County District Attorney’s Office
Bullet Item 3/11/2011 CSLB Blitzes 135 in Statewide Undercover Sting Operations
Bullet Item 2/25/2011 Fire Protection Contractor Faces 30 Years in Prison After Conviction on Dozens of Felony Counts
Bullet Item 2/15/2011 New CSLB Web Feature Lets You Check a Contractor’s License Right from Your Mobile Device
Bullet Item 2/11/2011 Repeat Offender Caught in CSLB Tehama County Undercover Sting
Bullet Item 2/11/2011 Several Phony Contractors Caught in CSLB Sting End Up Walking Away
Bullet Item 2/8/2011 CSLB Identifies Phony Contractors in Ridgecrest Undercover Sting
Bullet Item 2/4/2011 Undercover Sting Highlights Danger to Riverside County Seniors Who Hire Unlicensed Contractors
Bullet Item 2/2/2011 Registered Sex Offender among those Contracting Without a License in Fresno County Sting
Bullet Item 1/13/2011 Monterey Residents Face Criminal Charges for Fraudulently Using Contractor License Numbers
2010 and Earlier
 
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