CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Darlene Evans' dream room looks more like a disaster, after falling victim to an unlicensed contractor who took her money and disappeared.

• Evans hired contractors Randy Briel and Glenn Dunnam, two men named in a temporary restraining order and lawsuit brought by the North Carolina attorney general
• Court records show Briel and Dunnam operated under more than 20 different names
• They took money from clients without doing the work

“They stole it. They stole it,” she said. “This has been a nightmare.”

She hired contractors Randy Briel and Glenn Dunnam, two men named in a temporary restraining order and lawsuit brought by the North Carolina attorney general for scamming homeowners.

Evans paid a $10,000 down payment to the men to make her dream sunroom a reality. Instead, they installed fake electric wiring that went nowhere and put up a leaky roof that caused flooding.

Court records show Briel and Dunnam operated under more than 20 different names. They took money from clients without doing the work.

Lois and Thomas Morales, who hired Dunnam to do a deck and porch, also found themselves scammed. "You can't just do this to people and get away with it. Everyone works hard for their money,” Lois said. 

Attorney General Josh Stein says you can avoid becoming a victim using these tips: 

• Contact the attorney general’s office and the Better Business Bureau

• Ask the company for references

• Get at least three written estimates and compare bids before work begins

• Ask about guarantees in writing

• Don't pay for work upfront

If you think you’ve been a victim of a scam, file a complaint with the North Carolina Attorney General’s office here.