Can a Private Investigator Help Track Down a Fraudulent Contractor or Service Provider?

Hiring a contractor should be a sign that things are moving forward—whether you’re renovating a home, improving your business, or investing in professional services. But when a contractor disappears mid-job, takes your money without delivering, or gives you nothing but excuses, that excitement quickly turns into frustration.

Worse yet, many people assume there’s nothing they can do except “chalk it up” to experience.

But here’s the truth: A licensed private investigator can help track down fraudulent contractors, document the misconduct, and build the case you need to pursue legal, civil, or even criminal remedies.

 
The Rise of Contractor Fraud — And Why It’s Hard to Handle Alone

Contractor and service provider fraud is on the rise, especially in high-demand areas like New York City and Long Island. From fake license numbers to shell companies and cash-only scams, bad actors often target:

• Homeowners needing urgent repairs (roof, plumbing, mold)
• Landlords seeking cheap renovations or evictions
• Elderly clients with little tech-savviness
• Business owners outsourcing critical services like IT or marketing

Victims often find themselves with:

• A large deposit paid—and no work started
• Shoddy, unfinished work that’s now a safety or liability concern
• No way to locate or contact the person again

That’s where hiring a PI makes a real difference.

 
What a Private Investigator Can Do in Contractor Fraud Cases

At Easton Secure Solutions LLC, we regularly assist victims of contractor scams by uncovering who’s really behind the business, tracking them down, and gathering evidence to assist with court filings, small claims, or criminal complaints.

Here’s how we help:

 
1. Identify and Locate the Individual Behind the Business
Many fraudulent contractors work under:

• Fake business names or dissolved LLCs
• Nicknames or partial identities
• Unlicensed operations using another person's credentials

We perform skip tracing to verify who’s truly behind the contract. This includes:

• Tying phone numbers and emails to real individuals
• Finding residential addresses and current employers
• Checking licensing boards, court filings, and utility data

This step is crucial if you plan to serve papers, file a lien, or recover damages.

➡️ Explore our Skip Tracing Services

 
2. Verify Business Registration and Licensing
Contractors may claim to be “licensed and insured,” but many:

• Use someone else’s license
• Operate under expired or fake credentials
• Register under a different name to avoid lawsuits
  We check:
• New York and national contractor license databases
• Business registration records (LLC/DBA)
• Historical addresses and business ownership transfers
• Civil complaints or violations

In some cases, the fraud extends beyond your project—indicating a pattern of misconduct useful in both criminal and civil court.

 
3. Collect Evidence for Civil or Criminal Action
If you want to pursue a lawsuit or criminal charges, you’ll need proof. We help gather:

• Screenshots of texts, emails, and online ads
• Bank records tied to deposits or payments
• Surveillance (when necessary) to prove activity
• Witness statements or subcontractor interviews
• Past victim reports or related complaints

This allows you to walk into court prepared—or submit a police report with all supporting documentation.

 
Real Case Example: Fraudulent “Roofing Contractor” Tracked to New Jersey

A Long Island homeowner contacted us after paying $5,500 to a man claiming to be a licensed roofer. He started the job, tore off old shingles, then vanished—leaving the home exposed to weather and unsafe.

The name on the invoice didn’t match any business on file in New York. The phone number had been disconnected. She tried a people search website but got nowhere.

We conducted a full skip trace, linked the contractor’s phone to a burner email, and identified his real name via an old utility record. We tracked him to a new address in New Jersey, confirmed three prior small claims suits in different counties, and documented recent Facebook Marketplace ads promoting roofing services under a new alias.

Our findings helped the client file a small claims suit and submit a formal fraud complaint with the New York Attorney General.

 
Why Hiring a PI Matters in These Cases

Many victims assume that small claims court or the police will handle everything—but that’s not always the case.

Law enforcement typically won’t act unless:

• A clear pattern of fraud is proven
• The individual is identified and located
• Losses exceed a certain amount (varies by jurisdiction)

Civil lawyers won’t move forward without:

• Verified identity of the party being sued
• Accurate service address for legal documents
• Evidence of the fraud or breach of contract

By hiring a PI first, you’re preparing both pathways—civil and criminal—with the information they need to act.

 
What We Need to Start a Contractor Fraud Case

To get started, we usually only need:

• Name of the individual or business (even partial)
• Phone number or email used in communication
• Invoice, quote, or text/email conversation
• Description of the agreement and what went wrong

From there, we attempt to verify the subject’s identity, locate them, and document findings in a clear report you can submit to:

• Small claims court
• Your attorney
• Local law enforcement or licensing boards

Basic Identity Verification Investigations start at $199, available in New York State and Nationwide and we offer customized pricing depending on the depth of the case.

Who We Help

We’ve helped:

• Homeowners defrauded by unlicensed contractors
• Landlords left with half-finished or dangerous renovations
• Small business owners scammed by ghost IT or design vendors
• Elderly victims tricked into paying upfront for repairs that never came
• Property managers dealing with vendor impersonation or bounced checks

In all cases, our goal is simple: Identify, locate, and document the individual responsible so that you can take the next legal step.

 
Serving NYC and Long Island — Licensed and Experienced

At Easton Secure Solutions LLC, we serve clients across New York City and Long Island who have been victims of contractor fraud and deceptive service providers. As a New York-licensed private investigator, we know how to track down the people who don’t want to be found—and help our clients seek restitution and justice.

📞 Call us now: (516) 962-1267
📧 Email: [email protected]

➡️ Visit our Skip Tracing Services or Identity Verification Services

 
Don’t Let a Fraudulent Contractor Get Away With It
Even if it feels like the trail has gone cold, we can help. With verified tools, real investigative experience, and legal compliance, we’ll uncover the facts and help you take back control of your case.