SACRAMENTO –The Contractors State License Board (CSLB) announced that it cited 24 suspected unlicensed contractors during two stings, one held in Riverside County (October 22-23, 2024), the second in Ventura County (October 23-24, 2024).

The undercover operation in Riverside County included the California Department of Insurance (CDI) and the Indio Police Department.  The operation in Ventura County included CDI and the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office.  Twelve suspects were cited at each location.

The sting in Ventura County also revealed that two individuals requested excessive down payments before starting work. California law restricts contractors from asking for more than 10 percent of the project cost or $1,000, whichever is less. Demanding more is a misdemeanor, punishable by fines up to $5,000 and/or up to a year in county jail.

“These undercover operations in which law enforcement officers pose as property owners in need of home improvements help to protect consumers from financial harm and possibly shoddy work,” said California Statewide Law Enforcement Association (CSLEA) President Alan Barcelona.  “Unlicensed contractors have not passed tests to gain a state license, nor have they gone through a background check.  Unsuspecting consumers who hire an unlicensed contractor don’t have a lot of recourse, should something go wrong.”