RMO World – Issue 37: November 2024 Thanksgiving Edition

Thanksgiving is a great opportunity to not only be grateful for all we have but to also relax from all work. Federal and state laws prohibit construction work of any kind on this day, and can attract a fine and a court order to stop the construction work. This gives an opportunity for construction workers all across the country to rest of all work. The construction industry is one of the most dangerous industries and the Thanksgiving holiday gives a golden opportunity to construction workers to be grateful for making it through the challenges they face at work.

Thanksgiving is a great time to reflect, connect with people, relieve ourselves of work-related stress and perhaps travel a little. Thanksgiving day is a day to give thanks and show gratitude to our friends and to ourselves for everything we have accomplished and are about to achieve. The day offers an opportunity to relax, give thanks for the progress made over the years.

Suspicious Email Requests for Electronic Signature

Sacramento, CA – The Contractors State License Board (CSLB) has received multiple reports regarding suspicious emails requesting electronic signatures.

The emails claim to be from CSLB and ask recipients to electronically sign documents. These emails contain notable errors, including incorrect CSLB names, phone numbers, and other typos, indicating they are fraudulent.

CSLB will not use a third-party software to collect an electronic signature from a contractor or applicant. An email from CSLB will come from the @cslb.ca.gov domain. If you receive an email that appears to be from CSLB that requests an electronic signature or personal information, please verify its authenticity by contacting CSLB directly.

To protect yourself and avoid falling victim to email phishing scams:

• Do not click or open attachments from unknown or suspicious senders. Do not provide any personal information or sign documents via suspicious links.
• Take note of any errors in the email, such as misspelled names, incorrect contact information, or grammar issues, as these may signal a spoofing attempt.
• Report suspicious emails to [email protected] or by reaching out through CSLB’s verified social media accounts on Facebook, X, or Instagram.
• Refer to official sources for more information on phishing scams by visiting the Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC) website on phishing scams and the FBI’s resources on phishing and spoofing.

Sacramento, CA – The Contractors State License Board (CSLB) recently completed a statewide operation of stings and sweeps to uncover unlicensed activity in the construction industry as part of a multi-agency effort organized by the National Association of State Contractors Licensing Agencies (NASCLA).

The efforts resulted in 229 legal actions, largely for unlicensed contracting and illegal advertising. Unlicensed contracting puts consumers at risk in many ways, including failure to meet minimum competency requirements, lack of a license bond, or workers’ compensation insurance.

Over two weeks, CSLB joined forces with local law enforcement to conduct four undercover sting operations in Ventura, Sutter, Contra Costa, and Riverside counties. The stings targeted unlicensed contractors, with investigators contacting the suspects through their advertisements.

During the sting operations, suspected unlicensed individuals arrived at designated locations to bid on various projects, such as drywall, bathroom remodel, turf installation, framing, flooring, exterior and interior painting, concrete, tree removal, landscaping, and plumbing. As a result, 10 legal actions were filed, and 42 individuals may face misdemeanor criminal charges for contracting without a license.

The individuals involved submitted bids that exceeded the legal limit of $500. The bid amounts ranged from $800 to $12,000. California laws prohibit unlicensed contractors from bidding and/or contracting for construction work that exceeds $500 in value, including labor and materials. All may now face legal consequences, which can include substantial fines and potential jail time.

A total of 79 sweep operations were conducted in 23 counties, 1,147 sites visited, 34 cases referred to local district attorneys, 37 licensee citations, 80 non-licensee citations, 26 Letters of Admonishments, 38 stop work orders, and 281 advisory notices.

Contracting without a license is serious and eventually violators will be caught. If you are working without a license, there is no need to risk everything. Contact us NOW!