Contractor Scam Targets Palos Verdes Residents

RANCHO PALOS VERDES, CA — The city of Rancho Palos Verdes Tuesday alerted people about a recent scam targeting residents.

"The City of Rancho Palos Verdes has been made aware of homeowners falling victim to contractor 'scams' in which they were fraudulently billed fees for non-existent or fake City building permits," according to a statement from the city.

City officials released a list of tips to help protect people against scams and prevent them.

"Many homeowners don’t know what kind of work requires a permit, or what a permit looks like," city officials said.

Below are steps from the city that you can take to verify the legitimacy of your contractor and permits.

How can I verify that my contractor is state-licensed?

You can look up your contractor’s license with the California Contractors State License Board at cslb.ca.gov or by calling 800-321-2752. Then, verify that your contractor has a photo ID that matches the name on their license.

How can I verify that my contractor has a business license with the City of Rancho Palos Verdes?

You can find a list of active business licenses on the City website at the following link: https://www.rpvca.gov/677/Business-License-List

How do I know if my project needs a permit?

You can determine what kind of work requires a permit from the City at the following link: https://www.rpvca.gov/1452/Do-I-Need-a-Permit

How can I tell if my permit is valid?

Valid permits will be listed in the City’s permit database. You can conduct a permit search on the City website at the following link: https://etrakit.rpvca.gov/eTRAKiT/Search/permit.aspx

Additionally, an authentic permit will have a valid permit ID or record number. Fake and real examples are shown below.

What do I do if I’m not sure?

If you are unsure about the validity of your building permit, or if you have any questions, please contact the City’s Building and Safety Division at 310-544-5280.

For additional contractor scam tips, download a Tip Sheet (PDF) from the City website.