Kelaher targets unregistered contractors

Ocean County Prosecutor Thomas F. Kelaher has announced a new initiative dubbed "Operation One-Two Punch."

As of Dec. 31 all home improvement contractors were required to register with the state and are subject to numerous regulations. Those who do not register may be charged with an indictable offense.

According to a press release, the prosecutor's office has in the past successfully prosecuted contractors who engaged in fraudulent activities such as schemes to take large deposits and in exchange provide little or no work.

The new law expands the tools available to deal with unscrupulous home improvement contractors.

Working with Director Steven Scaturro of the Ocean County Division of Consumer Affairs, the prosecutor's office has been identifying unregistered contractors who are also the subject of consumer complaints. Prosecution of appropriate cases will begin in the near future, according to the press release.

The prosecutor's office said members of the public should not deal with unregistered contractors. They should do the following instead:

• Obtain the contractor's registration number and a copy of his required liability insurance policy.

• Check the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs Web site at www.njconsumeraffairs.com to verify the registration and contact the contractor's insurance agent to verify the validity of the insurance policy.

• The homeowner should also check with the Ocean County Division of Consumer Affairs at (732) 929-2105 to determine if the contractor has been the subject of previous complaints. Likewise, anyone having a problem with a home improvement contractor should report the problem to either consumer affairs or their local police department.