Be a Bandit Buster! Report Illegal Contracting!

For decades, CSA has worked with the CSLB to report illegal contracting activity. According to CSLB, unlicensed contracting is part of California’s estimated annual $60 to $140 billion underground economy. These individuals do not pay taxes, have insurance or bonds, and it is not unusual for them to be involved in other illegal activities as well.

Here’s what you need to know:

Who is considered an illegal contractor?
It is illegal for an unlicensed person to perform contracting work on any project that requires a building permit, or if employee labor is used, or the project is valued at $1,000 or more in combined labor and material costs. Beyond being illegal, unlicensed contractors lack accountability and are highly involved in construction scams. They also are unfair competition for licensed contractors who operate with bonds, insurance, and other responsible business practices.

What is CSLB doing to stop illegal activity?
CSLB’s Statewide Investigative Fraud Team (SWIFT) monitors and combats illegal activity. SWIFT has teams around the state that conduct stings on a regular basis and sweep construction sites. SWIFT also conducts joint operations and sweeps with other state agencies dedicated to combating underground activity. Partnerships with other agencies help raise the penalties and fines for violators by increasing the scope of violations to include taxes, illegal payrolls, workers’ compensation insurance, and worker safety.

How can I report unlicensed activity?

Contact SWIFT
CSLB’s Statewide Investigative Fraud Team (SWIFT) accepts complaints against unlicensed individuals actively working on a construction project that requires a building permit, or employee labor is used, or the combined cost for labor and materials is $1,000 or more, and for any licensed contractor who fails to pull a required 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. 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.

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.

Northern SWIFT
Alameda County
Alpine County
Amador County
Butte County
Calaveras County
Colusa County
Contra Costa County
Del Norte County
El Dorado County
Glenn County
Humboldt County
Lake County
Lassen County
Marin County
Mendocino County
Modoc County
Napa County
Nevada County
Placer County
Plumas County
Sacramento County
San Francisco County
San Joaquin County
San Mateo County
Santa Clara County
Shasta County
Sierra County
Siskiyou County
Solano County
Sonoma County
Stanislaus County
Sutter County
Tehama County
Trinity County
Yolo County
Yuba County

Central SWIFT
Fresno County
Inyo County
Kern County
Kings County
Madera County
Mariposa County
Merced County
Mono County
Monterey County
San Benito County
San Luis Obispo County
Santa Barbara County
Santa Cruz County
Tulare County
Tuolumne County

Southern SWIFT
Imperial County
Los Angeles County
Orange County
Riverside County
San Bernardino County
San Diego County
Ventura County

Northern SWIFT
9821 Business Park Drive
Sacramento, CA 95827 Office numbers (916) 255-2924 / Fax (916) 369-7265
Email Northern Swift

Central SWIFT
1277 E. Alluvial Avenue, Suite 106
Fresno, CA 93720
Office numbers (559) 490-0580 / Fax (559) 447-1492
Email Central SWIFT

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

Please Note: It’s important that you provide SWIFT with complete and detailed information about the unlicensed activity on an active job site and indicate if there are employees on the project. The more information and evidence (including photos), the better.

Complaints are processed according to the date of receipt, priority, and staff availability if the job site is located in a remote area. The complaint will be assigned to an enforcement representative who will follow up on the information that is provided.

Reporting Illegal Advertising?  Use this form — https://www.cslb.ca.gov/Resources/FormsAndApplications/AdvertisingComplaint.pdf

Updated: 4/20/26

Jeffrey Aran

Sign law expert serving the sign industry and its customers for over 25 years, providing legal and consulting services to sign users, installers and manufacturers. Based in Sacramento, Practice Areas include Zoning; Land Use; Real Estate; Constitutional Law; Employment; & Business. Admitted to the Bar in 1989. Law Offices of Jeffrey L. Aran 1-888-SIGNLAW.