IMPORTANT NEWS...
The Department of Business and Professional Regulation Sweeps Vero Beach for Unlicensed Electrical Contractors
September 16, 2010
VERO BEACH—Yesterday, Department of Business and Professional Regulation’s Division of Regulation investigators conducted a sweep of Vero Beach for unlicensed electrical contactors. During the sweep, investigators visited 14 jobsites, checked 14 licenses and issued six cease and desist notices to unlicensed electrical contractors.
“DBPR is dedicated to ensuring compliance with state laws and protecting Floridians from the harm posed by hiring unlicensed contractors. Quarterly sweep and sting operations send a strong message that unlicensed activity will not be tolerated,” said Secretary Charlie Liem.
The following individuals were issued cease and desist notices for electrical contracting without a license:
Name |
Age |
| Jonathan N. Trumble | 57 |
| Michael J. McBriar | 57 |
| Nicholas A. Vlangas | 38 |
| Timothy A. Fox | 51 |
| Lewis David Lee | 43 |
The Vero Beach sweep was part of DBPR’s quarterly statewide unlicensed activity operation. This quarter, department investigators focused on the smaller professions regulated by the department, such as landscape architects, auctioneers and talent agents. The department is charged with regulating 18 different professions with more than 410,000 licensees. For more information about what services require a DBPR license, please visit MyFloridaLicense.com/dbpr/services.
Hiring an unlicensed individual can threaten the financial and personal safety of consumers, as well as the livelihood of state-licensed professionals. Unlicensed individuals may not carry workers’ compensation or liability insurance, and consumers may end up paying for injuries on the job. Additionally, unlicensed individuals often underbid licensed professionals, which results in law-abiding professionals losing work to those who do not meet state licensure requirements.
Here are some tips to help consumers protect themselves against unlicensed activity:
- Always ask to see the State of Florida license.
- Note the license number and verify that the license is current. To check a license, call 850-487-1395 or visit MyFloridaLicense.com.
- Ask for references and check each one.
- Do not pay cash and be cautious of writing checks made payable to individuals, especially when dealing with a company.
- Get everything in writing, including a detailed description of the work to be completed, a completion date and the total cost.
- Report suspected unlicensed activity at MyFloridaLicense.com or toll-free at 1-866-532-1440.
The department’s mission is to license efficiently and regulate fairly. The department licenses more than one million businesses and professionals ranging from real estate agents, veterinarians, and accountants to contractors and cosmetologists. For more information, please visit MyFloridaLicense.com.