New York Issues Almost 700 Unlicensed Contractor Violations

NEW YORK (AP) -- New York authorities say they've concluded a massive effort to crack down on unlicensed home improvement contractors. They've issued nearly 700 violations and seized more than 130 vehicles during a five-week sweep.

The city's Department of Consumer Affairs conducted hundreds of routine and undercover inspections along with officials from Westchester and Nassau counties.

The department says there are more than 10,800 home improvement contractors licensed to work in New York City. That amounts to a 70 percent increase in licensed contractors from five years ago.

Officials say consumers should be very careful when they hire people to renovate their homes.

The agency has fielded more than 900 consumer complaints about contractors this year.