Scam Alert! Watch For Scams Affecting Contractors

Scams Impact Contractors

We live in a time of many scams. Scam artists use creative tactics to extract information from contractors - information such as their debit card numbers, bank account information, social security numbers, and more. 

Unfortunately, we can't anticipate every potential scam, nor can we tell contractors everything they should and shouldn't do to protect themselves. When we hear about new scams, we'll post information on this webpage. We'll also provide you with tips to help you protect yourself from common scams aimed at contractors. 

CCB Does NOT:

• Call to ask for payment information over the phone. If someone claiming to be from the CCB calls to request a credit card number, bank account number or social security number, hang up! CCB will also not ask you for this sensitive information in an email or text message.
• Demand immediate payment for fines that are not yet due.
• Offer or accept prepaid cards or gift cards.
• Ask you to wire funds.
• Send Docusign PDF documents. 

CCB Does:

• Send renewal notices over mail and email
• Accept credit card payments via online, fax, and USPS.
• Respond to your emails and phone calls. 

CCB Tips to Contractors to Avoid Scams

• Use strong passwords: Online accounts like your Angi listing can be hijacked by scam artists. These scam artists can replace your information with their information, thereby diverting your customers to them. Use strong passwords and change them regularly to keep your online accounts safe. 
• Stay informed: Read the Toolbox, where we periodically alert contractors to new scams affecting licensees. Check out Oregon's DOJ's Scam Alert Network for updates on new scams. Monitor your local news, too, for articles by consumer watch dogs. 
• Be careful with links: In the recent past, contractors have received emails falsely claiming to be from CCB. These emails contained malicious links. Watch for warning signs that an email is illegitimate:
• The text contains obvious spelling errors, typos, and grammatical errors. 
• Sender email address is disguised to look legitimate. When you hover your mouse over the email address, the true email is often revealed to be different and non-legitimate. 
• The email comes out of nowhere and is unexpected. 
• The email encourages you to click a link to make a payment.
• Avoid check overpayment scams: Check overpayment scams involve clients paying contractors with checks for amounts over the amount on the contract. The customer asks for a refund, which the contractor issues - only to discover later that the client's check bounced. Never cash a check for an amount that is higher than the expected bill. Avoid working with clients that will not show up in person and only communicate via text message, email, or phone call. 

Common Scam Scenarios

The shady phone call: Recently, a contractor contacted the CCB to say they received a phone call from someone with an out-of-state number posing as a CCB representative. The person on the line told the contractor that their license would be expiring soon. They asked the contractor to make their renewal payment over the phone. Fortunately, the contractor did not choose to give the person their credit card information. It was a scam!

The Illegitimate Docusign: Not long ago, a person who had previoulsy had communications with the CCB received an email from someone posing as a CCB representative. The email contained a link to a Docusign PDF, and stated that the email recipient was expected to sign documents. The recipient wasn't expecting the email and contacted the CCB instead. 

The check overpayment scam: An out-of-state customer contacted a contractor to perform work on a nearby home they claimed to have recently purchased. The "customer" was not available to meet in person until the work was complete. All communication was conducted over the phone, text, and email. When the contractor agreed to do the work, the customer sent a check for more than the required deposit. The contractor deposited the check, and the customer requested an immediate refund for the overpaid amount. The contractor wired funds to the client, who then disappeared. The check to the contractor bounced, and the contractor was left without the money wired to the "client."