Scam Watch

Scam Watch Florida: The Contractor Cons Running Right Now

The active contractor scams targeting Florida homeowners — how each one works, the exact red flags, and what the law says. Updated as new enforcement cases land.

Last fact-checked: July 12, 2026

These aren't hypotheticals. In June 2026, Pinellas County fined a roofing operation $6,500 for unlicensed advertising and license fraud. Florida's Attorney General is investigating another roofing company after 128+ complaints — homeowners left with liens, unfinished roofs, and foreclosure notices. Here are the plays in the current playbook, and how to spot each one.

The "free roof" pitch

How it works: someone promises your insurance will cover a full roof replacement — "you pay nothing." You sign paperwork that turns out to give them control of your claim. They collect from your insurer, do partial or no work, and in the worst cases file a lien against your home for the balance.

Red flags "Fully covered, zero cost to you" promises · pressure to sign the same day · paperwork assigning your insurance benefits or claim to the contractor · a company you didn't call showing up uninvited.

The deductible "waiver"

How it works: the contractor offers to "eat" or rebate your insurance deductible so the job costs you nothing out of pocket. This is not a favor — under Florida Statute 489.147, paying or waiving a property-insurance deductible is unlawful, and it typically means the contractor is inflating the claim to cover it. If they'll defraud your insurer with a smile, ask what they'll do to you.

The manufactured damage "inspection"

How it works: a friendly stranger offers a free roof inspection after a storm. On the roof, they find — or create — damage, then offer to handle the insurance claim. Some enforcement cases have documented inspectors deliberately damaging shingles to fabricate hail or wind claims.

Red flags Unsolicited door-knock "inspections" · finding damage you can't see photos of from the ground · urgency to file a claim on the spot · asking your insurance check to be mailed to them.

The lien ambush

How it works: Florida's construction-lien law lets contractors, subcontractors, and suppliers place a lien on your home if they aren't paid — even if you paid the general contractor in full but the GC never paid them. Fraudulent liens are also rising: in one 2026 case, a single person filed 35 fake liens totaling over $568 million against properties she'd never worked on. Protect yourself: for any real project, require a release of lien from the contractor (and known subs/suppliers) at every payment, and never make the final payment without a full release. Florida requires a Notice of Commencement for most projects over $2,500 — your county clerk's site shows anything recorded against your property.

If you've been hit

Report unlicensed activity to the DBPR: myfloridalicense.com/enforcement or 1-866-532-1440.
Insurance fraud: Florida CFO's fraud line at myfloridacfo.com (1-800-378-0445).
File with the Florida Attorney General — the current investigations exist because homeowners reported.

The best defense is boring: hire someone you found and vetted, not someone who found you. Run every candidate through the 6-point vetting checklist.