Over 100 unlicensed contractors caught in Hillsborough sting, sheriff says
TAMPA, Fla. - The Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office spent the majority of 2019 conducting an operation to snag unlicensed contractors, and it resulted in 118 arrests.
Sheriff Chad Chronister said the undercover sting, "Operation House Hunters," began last March and took nine months.
There had been an increase in reports of construction fraud-related crimes, so the department set up five houses with undercover detectives posing as homeowners. They were able to set up nearly 200 appointments for home repair work.
The detectives would meet with unlicensed contractors who were advertising their work on social media or the internet. The suspects allegedly agreed to perform work totaling $540,000.
The sheriff says the suspects took advantage of homeowners trying to improve their investments in Florida's hot real estate market.
"This is a widespread problem. This isn't a Hillsbotough County problem; this is a widespread Florida problem," Chronister said.
The sheriff highlighted a few of the suspects who were arrested. One of them was a convicted rapist, another did time in jail for burglary.
Eight of the suspects were repeat offenders of performing, or attempting to perform, unlicensed contracting work.
Homeowners can verify their contractor's license online at www.myfloridalicense.com. The sheriff also suggested conducting a background check through the Better Business Bureau.