The Pasco Sheriff's Office announced Oct. 30 that its Economic Crimes Unit arrested nine people in an operation targeting unlicensed contractors.

The Sheriff's Office said its Economic Crimes Unit found that all nine individuals offered contracting services without proper licensing. The services included electrical work, plumbing, water heater installation and air conditioning installation.

The agency said none of the individuals held the proper licenses for any of the jobs they quoted during the operation. The Sheriff's Office identified businesses associated with the arrests, including Life Voltage & Group LLC, Mustang Power, Trenchless Pipe Solutions LLC, Game of Service, Andrei Electrical & Handyman Service, Handyman AC & Electricity and Venturion Air.

The Sheriff's Office warned that contractor fraud can leave homeowners liable for damages and with fewer options if something goes wrong. The Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation assisted with the operation, the agency said.

The Pasco operation follows a similar effort in neighboring Hillsborough County. There, the Sheriff's Office arrested 50 people in an operation called "Bad Builder" that ran from June through October, WFLA reported.

The Pasco Sheriff's Office urged residents to verify any contractor's license before hiring at MyFloridaLicense.com. Residents who believe they have been victimized by an unlicensed contractor can call the Pasco Sheriff's non-emergency line at 727-847-8102, option 7, to file a report.