Some regulatory agencies, boards and commissions are reporting that credentials for their regulated professions are being forged or even stolen.
For example, the Ohio Architects Board has noticed individuals offering design services while falsely claiming to be licensed. In some cases, a customer has paid for official-looking stamped or sealed building plans, only to learn from their local building department, after submitting the plan for approval, that the seal is fake. The victim is stuck with a useless plan as well as lost time, effort and money.
Unfortunately, Ohio’s architecture community is not alone. The Ohio Architects Board reports that other states and other professions are also seeing fraudsters presenting themselves as licensed professionals.
What can consumers do?
It is important for Ohioans to educate themselves about which professions are regulated and at what level of government (local, state or federal). It’s equally vital that consumers learn which professions are
not regulated, so they don’t accept a phony license at face value.
Within Ohio’s state government, click
here to learn more about how certain professions are regulated and by whom. For example, besides architects, Ohio regulates various other professions and trades, including accountants, barbers, engineers, lawyers, nurses and physical therapists. You can learn about licensure in many of these professions through an online search of the relevant board, commission or agency website.
More than 20 Ohio agencies, boards and commissions can be researched using
the eLicense Ohio Professional Licensure System. These entities typically can provide a roster of licensees in Ohio and any disciplinary action that has been taken against a regulated business or individual. Other state regulatory agencies and organizations that issue credentials may have online search tools available directly through their official websites.
As for professions and trades that are
not currently regulated at the state level, have you ever heard of a state-certified cabinet installer or state-approved roofer? Hopefully not, because credentials at the state level don’t exist in Ohio at this time (but keep in mind that state laws, rules and policies can change). Although a roofing contractor needs to be registered with the Ohio Secretary of State’s Office, Ohio does not license roofers. Some municipalities or other local jurisdictions, however, may have laws or rules requiring registration or other actions before doing certain work within their boundaries.
Tips to avoid being scammed by an impostor:
- Verify any credentials touted by a business or contractor. If someone claims to be licensed or registered with a specific professional organization, trade association or government regulator, check it out. Find out first what licenses and/or registrations apply to the particular trade or service. Then check out any specific registrations or licenses by contacting the entity that the business purports to be accredited by.
- If a prospective contractor in a regulated profession refuses to give his/her license number or credentials before entering into a contract or will disclose it only after payment is made, the person is probably a scammer.
- Take note if the regulator’s contact information for a certain business (i.e. email address, phone number, etc.) differs from what your contact at the business has given you. The real business may be a victim of impersonation by someone without a license.
- Get recommendations and ask a business for references. Successful contractors make it easy to access feedback about their work and related documentation.
- Go online to research the business. Check out whether the company has been the subject of complaints at the Ohio Attorney General’s Office and the Better Business Bureau. You can also search for any previous lawsuits filed by the attorney general’s Consumer Protection Section.
Consumers who suspect a scam or an unfair business practice should contact the Ohio Attorney General’s Office at www.OhioProtects.org or 800-282-0515.