safety
‘I was totally taken advantage of.' Unlicensed contractor targets Eaton Fire survivor
By Carolyn Johnson, Lorraine Roe and Helen Jeong at NBC Los Angeles (KNBC)
· July 5, 2026
· 3 min read
As Los Angeles authorities crack down on unlicensed contractors who are accused of leaving wildfire victims with shoddy work, an Altadena woman who survived the Eaton Fire said an illegal builder preyed on her when she was at her most vulnerable.
When Pamelia Lawson’s home became one of the 1...
Key takeaway When Pamelia Lawson’s home became one of the 1,073 properties that were damaged by the Eaton Fire in January 2025, a person who later turned out to be a bad actor approached the woman, offering to fix her house for a reasonable price.
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Category: safety ·
Published: July 5, 2026 ·
Source: NBC Los Angeles (KNBC) ·
Reading time: 3 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? As Los Angeles authorities crack down on unlicensed contractors who are accused of leaving wildfire victims with shoddy work, an Altadena woman who survived the Eaton Fire said an illegal builder preyed on her when she was at her most vulnerable.
When Pamelia Lawson’s home became one of the 1...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 5, 2026 by NBC Los Angeles (KNBC) and curated for The Los Angeles readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Carolyn Johnson, Lorraine Roe and Helen Jeong at NBC Los Angeles (KNBC). To learn more about how The Los Angeles selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more safety coverage from The Los Angeles, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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