Try contacting the state's Attorney Generals Office. That's who handles Katrina contractor fraud in Mississippi. The $4K is probably a lost cause, but the sub should still be prosecuted.

After my contractor disappeared with hundreds of thousands of unfinished work, we met with a rep from the AG. He said that they don't usually get involved in disputes of work paid versus work done, unless it was a gross difference and obviously fraud. Since several of the victims in this case had paid 10% up front with no work done, it was easy to prosecute. They were also interested in the people who had paid for materials that had disappeared with the contractor. As for getting money back, the AG investigator said that maybe some of the victims would start getting small checks monthly many years down the road as part of a court ordered restitution.

The worst part about it was that I have heard that this guy had pulled this in several states previously. Wouldn't it be nice if they would start a national board of licensing?

Your brother could always take it to small claims court for that amount and only be out a couple of hundred dollars. I can't remember the limit in small claims if it is $3K or $5K in TX. Although either way civil court of small claims he might get a judgement, but not necessarily collect.

Problem with taking someone to small claims court who has "disappeared" as this handyman apparently has is that serving "process" on them is extremely difficult. And, if your brother manages that and gets a judgment, I doubt he would ever be able to collect on it. Collecting on a judgment can be difficult enough even if you know where the judgment debtor is. Collecting on one where you don't even have that much info is nigh impossible. To collect on a judgement that the debtor doesn't want to pay, you basically have to find out where he owns property or has a bank account or something you can take via a legal action called a levy or a garnishment. In some states - but not all - you can also garnish a judgment debtor's wages. But, that requires that you know where the debtor is AND that he have a regular job.

Hate to say it but if your bother can't get the police to find and prosecute this individual, there is probably very little he can do. If the police would find and prosecute him, then your bother could also bring a small claims court action and (possibly) someday collect.

My brother visited the address listed on his card to see if he could catch up with him but nobody was home. He looked in the windows and the place looked lived in but also looked like it may have been vacated (not much in the way of furniture). He mentioned there was some mail in the box but made the good point that it seemed if he pursued him civilly that he wouldn't have anything to pay anyway.

The problem is that if the guy stays in the area my brother may run into him and that would be a bad situation. I advised my brother that battery would prolly cost him alot more than what it's worth but he's kinda questionable that way.

The real kicker is that he can't even file with BBB because this guy hadn't obtained a ID number therefore isn't wasn't a legit business yet. I'm pretty sure he'll never get his cash back but it would be nice if he could treat the guy to a real bad rap and further preclude him from scamming others.

Thanks for the thoughts.

From previous experience I would take two actions immediately.

1.Contact your local building inspections department. In most states contracting without a license is considered a serious offense and they will take action to locate the individual through official police channels.

2.The guy works as a handyman therefore he must get his parts and materials somewhere. I would go to the local building supply, electrical supply, plumbing supply & HVAC supply houses and discuss the problem with some of there counter clerks. Offer a small reward for information and give them a number where you can be reached. You might be amazed at how fast you find those type of guys this way.

Lazypup - Thanks for info. I hadn't thought of the inspections department. I do know of one supply house he works with and my brother has already been in contact with them.

He'll be located one way or another.

I'm in the middle of a huge fight with my contractor - stupidly trusted him because my community love him and he used to be my kid's soccer coach. He took the money, won't tell me where it went. Then his guys walked off the job for non-payment and I just got liened by his supplier. All I can say is that the holding nuts until job done plan may be the best one I have heard so far.