"Unlicensed contractors...are essentially trying to take advantage of people at some of their lowest moments and trying to profit off their tragedy,"
"If you are one of these unlicensed contractors, we're gonna come after you. Every single person you deal with is someone who might be an undercover operative working for law enforcement,"
"Typically, the stings entail investigators posing as homeowners to solicit bids from contractors without licenses."
"In California, a contractor's license is required for any project over $1,000, and operating without one can result in misdemeanor charges resulting in up to six months in jail and a $5,000 fine."
An undercover operation in Altadena's Eaton fire zone resulted in charges against five unlicensed contractors accused of rebuilding or attempting to restore homes without a license. The five suspects were identified and are scheduled for arraignment on Jan. 8. The investigation was a joint effort between the Los Angeles County District Attorney's office and the Contractors State License Board, which conducts undercover stings statewide by posing as homeowners to solicit bids. California requires a contractor's license for projects over $1,000; unlicensed work can lead to misdemeanor penalties up to six months in jail and a $5,000 fine, and can escalate to felony charges when performed in disaster zones. Officials warned scammers to leave affected communities and noted contracting scams surged after the January fires as homeowners rushed to rebuild.
Read at Los Angeles Times
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