North Dakota Joins California in Cracking Down on Unlicensed Contractors

California is not the only state that actively cracks down on unlicensed contractor activities. As recent as March 18, North Dakota Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem announced that Cease and Desist Orders had been issued against 7 unlicensed contractors for violations of North Dakota’s consumer fraud laws, banning them from doing any business in North Dakota. The Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division investigates consumer complaints about unlicensed contractor activities. The recent investigation was initiated in connection with consumers reports that, not withstanding that they had been paid in advance for work, the contractors’ failed to properly complete the work and, in some cases, to even commence work.

Attorney General Stenehjem warns consumers:

“Never put down any money until you have made sure the contractor is properly licensed. Hiring an unlicensed contractor may prove to be very expensive as it is extremely difficult to recover money once they have fled the state.”

Additional news releases are available on the North Dakota Attorney General’s website.

Additional Source: Unlicensed Contractors Banned from Doing Business in ND (Mar. 18, 2014); Twenty Arrested in Law Enforcement Operation in Northwest ND (March 14, 2014); Stenehjem Bans Two Unlicensed Contractors (Feb. 12, 2014); Fall California Licensing Blitz Stings 75; California Contractors State License Board