Traveling Contractor Scams
There are groups of transient criminals who pose as door-to-door home repair
contractors to rip off Nevada homeowners with painting, roofing and paving scams. The Nevada State Contractors Board urges consumers to be wary and to watch for any of
these “red flags.”
Often are related by family, and solicit door-to-door;
Come across as friendly, but can use high-pressure or scare tactics;
Are reluctant to give an up-front price or provide a written contract, and increase the price after the project is under way or completed;
Demand payments in cash;
Immediately cash checks (sometimes changing the amount before cashing);
Drive customized newer vehicles with out-of-state license plates;
Use toll-free (800) telephone numbers instead of local numbers;
Have post office boxes or suite numbers instead of actual street addresses;
Target the vulnerable, like elderly or recent immigrants; and
Claim they have left over material from another job at a cheap price;
Claim they will use a “sealant,” but actually apply a useless, watery liquid that they spray on roofs, fences, or driveways;
Push a few new wood shakes under old roofing shakes and apply a useless oil; or
Charge by the can for painting and then exaggerate the amount they say was used.
Watch out for door-to-door solicitations—especially when they want to start work immediately;
Be a good neighbor and report any suspicious home improvement activity, if your neighbor is elderly or otherwise vulnerable; and
Get free information from the NSCB, like “10 Tips for Making Sure Your Contractor Is On The Level.”
If you, or a neighbor, have hired or been solicited by someone fitting the descriptions
of these traveling criminals, please call the Nevada State Contractors Board
Unlicensed Contractor Hotline telephone numbers at:
Las Vegas: (702) 486-1160 or Reno: (775) 850-7819
You can also visit the Board offices at:
Address: | 8400 West Sunset Road, Suitte 150 Las Vegas, NV 89113 |
Phone: | (702) 486-1100 |
Fax: | (702) 486-1190 |
Address: | 5390 Kietzke Lane, Ste 102 Reno, NV 89511 |
Phone: | (775) 688-1141 |
Fax: | (775) 688-1271 |
Monday - Friday
8:00am - 5:00pm