San Luis Obispo Sting Reels in Unlicensed Contractors

The California Contractors State License Board (CSLB) reports the Statewide Investigative Fraud Team (SWIFT), with assistance from the San Luis Obispo Police Department, led a string operation May 25, 26, 2005. Investigators identified suspected unlicensed contractors from advertisements, business card handouts and tips from licensed contractors, then invited them to a house near the Cal Poly campus to bid on painting, concrete and landscape projects.

The sting resulted in handing out "notices to appear in court?EUR??,,????'?? to 24 contractors operating without licenses. Such stings are being run several times a month in California. San Luis Obispo is a costal community just south of Moro Bay and north of Pismo Beach.

In California, a bid of over $500 for labor and materials requires a contractor's license. The unlicensed contractors face a maximum of six months in jail and/or a $1,000 fine for a first offense, with severer penalties for those previously caught.