SACRAMENTO – Investigators with the California Contractors State License Board’s (CSLB) Statewide Investigative Fraud Team conducted two undercover stings in late April, targeting unlicensed contractors in Lake Elsinore (Riverside County) and Visalia (Tulare County).

On April 12-13, 2017, investigators cited 10 people suspected of contracting without a license, including one person who allegedly used the contracting license of a deceased family member.   The two-day sting was held at a single-family home in Lake Elsinore.  Investigators invited workers to place bids on jobs such as landscaping, painting and concrete work.

A similar undercover sting took place April 18-19, 2017 at a home in Visalia.  Investigators cited 15 suspects for illegal contracting after they placed bids on home improvement projects.  Nine of the 15 were also cited for not having workers’ compensation insurance.

“These investigators are working to protect consumers from harm and to level the playing field for law-abiding contractors who have gone through the process, education, and background check required by CSLB,” said California Statewide Law Enforcement Association (CSLEA).  “Consumers aren’t always aware that they should check the CSLB website before hiring someone to do home improvement work.   Despite widespread publicity about these statewide stings, people continue to contract without a license.”