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    By On 23 February 2020 In Issues, State Tags , ,

    Take Action Against Illegal Sign Contracting

    Licensed sign companies in California are competing against unlicensed full-service sign companies, and unlicensed service-installation companies. The California Sign Association (CSA) works with the California Contractors State License Board (CSLB) to eliminate these unlicensed companies, through CSA’s “Bandit Buster” program. If you are aware of illegal and unlicensed service or installations of signs, you can help solve the problem by notifying the CSLB and/or CSA and push back on the “underground economy.”

    If you are aware of illegal and unlicensed installations of signs, unpermitted projects or illegal advertising, you can help solve the problem by notifying CSA and/or CSLB.  CSLB’s Statewide Investigative Fraud Team (SWIFT) accepts complaints against unlicensed individuals actively working on a construction project where the combined cost for labor and materials is $500 or more and for any contractor who fails to pull a project building permit for construction activities.

    Reporting Unlicensed Activity

    The best way to let CSLB know about unlicensed activity on an active job site is by completing the SWIFT Lead Referral form. After completing the form you may attach it to an email and send it to the appropriate SWIFT office.  A copy of the form is also available in the current CSA Directory (p. 20).  Use the email links below and select the appropriate SWIFT office based on the county where the alleged unlicensed activity is taking place. You may also fax and/or send the form by mail.  In addition, be sure to also register a complaint with the local city or county building department or code enforcement division.

    Reporting Building Permit Complaints

    Use the Building Permit Violation Referral form to report any contractor who fails to pull a project building permit for construction activity on an active job site. After completing the form you may attach it to an email and send it to the appropriate SWIFT office. Use the email links below and select the appropriate SWIFT office based on the county where the alleged unlicensed activity is taking place. You may also fax and/or send the form by mail.

    Report Illegal Advertising

    You can also report illegal advertising using this form.  (Remember, your contractor’s license # must be displayed in all your marketing materials, websites, social media, business cards and other advertising, as well as on your vehicles.)

    Be a Bandit Buster!

    SWIFT complaints are processed according to the date of receipt, priority, and staff availability.  The complaint will be assigned to an Enforcement Representative who will follow-up on the information provided.  Be sure to take photographs and document the illegal project as best as you can.  The SWIFT unit advises that it must catch the contracting activity to while underway in order to be effective.  However, while not all activity will lead to enforcement, CSLB uses complaints for potential sting operations.

    Southern SWIFT

    (Counties of Imperial, Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego, Santa Barbara and Ventura)

    12501 East Imperial Highway, Suite 610
    Norwalk, CA 90650
    Office numbers (562) 345-7600 / FAX (562) 466-6065

    SWIFTSOUTH@CSLB.CA.GOV

    Central SWIFT

    (Counties of Fresno, Inyo, Kern, Kings, Madera, Mariposa, Merced, Mono, Monterey, San Benito, San Luis Obispo, Santa Cruz, Tulare and Tuolumme)
    1277 E. Alluvial Avenue, Suite 106
    Fresno, CA 93720
    Office numbers (559) 490-0580 / FAX (559) 447-1492

    SWIFTCENTRAL@CSLB.CA.GOV

    Northern SWIFT
    (all other counties in California)

    9821 Business Park Drive
    Sacramento, CA 95827
    Office numbers (916) 255-2924 / FAX (916) 369-7265

    SWIFTNORTH@CSLB.CA.GOV

    Prefer to Remain Anonymous?

    All the CSLB forms allow you to file anonymously or “remain confidential.” In an effort to circumvent retaliation for reporting someone who may be working without a California Contractors License, or working outside of the scope of work that their contractor’s license entitles them to do, CSA can file the complaint, if you prefer.  Whether you are reporting directly to SWIFT, or you wish to have the CSA office file the complaint, please provide complete and detailed information about the unlicensed activity and indicate if there are employees currently on the project. The more information and evidence the better.

     

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