{"id":431,"date":"2011-02-09T21:42:14","date_gmt":"2011-02-09T21:42:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/contractorslicensingschools.com\/blog\/?p=431"},"modified":"2025-10-17T15:36:16","modified_gmt":"2025-10-17T22:36:16","slug":"cslb-press-release-on-ridgecrest-undercover-sting","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/contractorslicensingschools.com\/blog\/cslb-press-release-on-ridgecrest-undercover-sting\/","title":{"rendered":"CSLB Press Release on Ridgecrest Undercover Sting"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a>CSLB Identifies Phony Contractors in Ridgecrest Undercover Sting
\nUndercover operation nets eight for contracting without a license and related violations<\/em><\/h1>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

SACRAMENTO <\/strong>\u2013 The Contractors State License Board (CSLB) wants consumers in smaller communities and rural areas of the state to know that they\u2019re especially vulnerable to becoming victimized by unlicensed contractors<\/a>. Last week CSLB\u2019s Statewide Investigative Fraud Team (SWIFT) investigators teamed with the Kern County Sheriffs and District Attorney Offices, and the Department of Homeland Security\u2019s Immigration and Customs Enforcement to conduct a sting in the city of Ridgecrest.<\/p>\n

The operation, conducted on February 3, 2011, led to the arrest of eight suspected unlicensed operators.\u00a0 CSLB investigators posed as homeowners and invited suspected phony contractors to a newly constructed home near Pearson Park.\u00a0 Investigators asked for bids that included landscaping<\/a>, fencing<\/a>, and painting<\/a>.\u00a0 If the bid totaled more than $500 in labor and materials and the suspect was not state-licensed, they were arrested.\u00a0 Eight were given a Notice to Appear (NTA) in court to face misdemeanor charges of contracting without a license; some also face charges of illegal advertising, and soliciting an excessive down payment, also misdemeanors.\u00a0 All eight will face a charge of failing to secure workers\u2019 compensation insurance for employees.\u00a0 They are scheduled to appear in Kern County Superior Court in Ridgecrest on March 29, 2011.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis sting is a perfect example of why homeowners need to make sure the contractor they hire is properly licensed<\/a> and insured.\u00a0 It only takes a minute to check information on the CSLB website at www.cslb.ca.gov or www.CheckTheLicenseFirst.com,\u201d said CSLB Registrar Steve Sands.\u00a0 \u201cIf someone working on your property is injured and is not covered by workers\u2019 compensation insurance, they could turn around and sue you for their medical bills.\u201d<\/p>\n

By law, anyone performing home improvement services that total more than $500 in material and labor must be licensed by the state of California.\u00a0 Contractors<\/a> must include their CSLB license number in all advertisements and contracts.\u00a0 Those who are not licensed can only perform jobs valued at $500 or less.\u00a0 Their ad must state that they are not licensed.<\/p>\n

CSLB received critical support for this operation from one of its legitimate licensed contractors<\/a>. Four of the eight arrested during last week\u2019s sting operation were the result of leads from that licensee.<\/p>\n

Licensees face the difficult task of competing against those who break the law by operating in the multi-billion dollar underground economy.\u00a0 In addition, the loss of tax revenue takes money away from schools and law enforcement.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cHomeowners should also know that they have little recourse against an unlicensed operator if something goes wrong with a project,\u201d added Sands.\u00a0 \u201cThat\u2019s especially true if you give them a big down payment and they never show up to start the job.\u201d\u00a0 CSLB offers a variety of free services, including mediation and arbitration, for consumers who have a problem with their licensed contractor.<\/p>\n

CSLB urges all California consumers to follow these tips before hiring a home improvement contractor:<\/p>\n