A recent story from the local newspaper:

Contractors State license Board sting operation caught 15 contractors working illegally in San Clemente, according to a report released this week. The contractors have been charged with misdemeanors including contracting without a license and advertising violations.

"Unlicensed contracting happens in San Clemente every day and all over California," adding that "by hiring an unlicensed contractor, consumers are'nt protected from bad workmanship and cannot be sure they're not hiring a criminal. You could be letting a jewel thief in your house and you wouldn't even know."

The investigators targeted the contractors by sifting through Penny saver and Craigslist advertisements.

"Consumers might think they're saving money by hiring the unlicensed, uninsured person who offers a low bid," CSLB registrar Steve Sands said in a statement. "But if somebody is hurt while working on the project and doesn't have workers compensation insurance, the homeowner could be held liable for any medical expenses which would undoubtedly prove much more costly."