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RENO, Nev. (KOLO) -Up in the Horizon Hills area no one can miss the destruction caused by the Hawk Fire. What the Nevada Contractors Board hopes won’t be missed either are these signs warning homeowners of unscrupulous contractors. An investigator with the board tells us just how cunning these people can be. “It makes national news we’ll see the con men coming in from all over the nation,” says Fred Schoenfeldt, with the Nevada State Contractors Board. “Coming in to try and get some work because they know there is insurance money to be paid, or to be made.“ Schoenfeldt says these bogus contractors may just show up to homeowner’s front door. Sometimes with their own material. They may offer to charge an insurance company more than the job is worth and split the difference with the homeowner. While tempting, Schoenfeldt says that’s fraud. He says many times insurance companies can be a line of defense as they have names of legitimate crews to do work. But the negotiations to fix problems with a home damaged by wildfire may be left up to the homeowner. Overwhelming, confusing, that’s what these bogus contractors are hoping for. “What they’ll do is get the job,” says Schoenfeldt. “They will get the money, as much money as they can up front. They won’t complete the job or if they work on the job, it is poor workmanship. At which time, they will want to involve the contractors board. If it is a licensed contractor, we have some teeth, we can get things completed right. Unlicensed contractors we have no teeth.” Red flags include: No license. They are working off a friend’s license. They have only a business license. They want payment upfront. They will not provide a written contract. Go to the Nevada State Contractors Board website to check out if the person has a legitimate contactors license within Nevada. Contractors licensed in another state cannot use that license here in Nevada to perform work. Schoenfeldt says licensed contractors in Nevada have a card issued to them with their license number. Ask to see it. Schoenfeldt says so far, the contractors board has received no complaints from the Bug, Stallion or Hawk Fires. But it could be just a matter of time. Nevada State Contractors Board: https://www.nvcontractorsboard.com/