Last updated: September 22nd, 2025

A Modesto man who ran a garage door company has been arrested on fraud, drug, and weapons charges after allegedly scamming customers out of tens of thousands of dollars, authorities said.

George Santiago Jr., owner of The Garage Door Guy, is accused of taking full payments upfront from at least eight customers for garage door installations and repairs he never completed according to CBS News. Investigators with the Stanislaus County District Attorney’s Bureau of Investigation estimate that Santiago defrauded residents and business owners of roughly $42,600, with additional complaints still under review.

The probe began after officials received a tip through the DA’s consumer fraud reporting website, along with referrals from the Sheriff’s Office Waterford Police Services. Several victims reportedly had personal ties to a Waterford police employee, which helped bring the case to investigators’ attention.

“To date, we have eight victims with an estimated loss of just under $50,000, and further investigation is ongoing,” said Lt. John Locke of the DA’s Bureau of Investigation. “Once the press release goes out, I believe more victims will come forward.”

On August 21, investigators located Santiago in Modesto and arrested him without incident. A search of his vehicle uncovered a loaded firearm, while a later search of his home revealed two additional guns, suspected methamphetamine, marijuana, and drug paraphernalia.

Santiago was booked into the Stanislaus County Public Safety Center on multiple charges, including grand theft, theft by false pretenses, possession of controlled substances with a firearm, and weapons violations. He was later released on bail.

According to officials, Santiago did hold a contractor’s license through the California Contractors State Licensing Board (CSLB), but it had been suspended due to a bond issue. Authorities are awaiting further details from the CSLB.

Locke noted that contractor-related scams are not uncommon in the county, though most involve unlicensed workers posing as legitimate businesses. “99.9% of licensed contractors in Stanislaus County are doing what’s right,” he said. “Most of the concern comes from unlicensed contractors.”

The DA’s Office urged residents to take precautions when hiring garage door repair contractors: “If the price sounds too good to be true, that can be a red flag you’re about to be scammed,” Locke said.

Consumers should always take precautions before hiring a contractor for home improvement projects. One of the most important steps is to verify company credentials on the California State License Board (CSLB) website and avoid working with contractors who have suspended or expired licenses.

Even though Santiago once held a valid contractor’s license, consumers could have avoided the situation by checking the CSLB site and seeing that his license was suspended.

Protect Yourself From Garage Door Repair Scammers

Garage door scams are rampant in the U.S. and Orange County, often starting when people call a random company they find online. Scammers use deceitful techniques such as listing fake locations and using misleading credentials to appear legitimate on online platforms.

Unfortunately, search engines such as Google, Bing, and Apple refusing to address the issue because they are protected under Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act. Regulators have also lagged behind by failing to amend Section 230 and by allowing scammers to list shell companies with fake addresses and fictitious agent names.

Here are the steps you can take to protect yourself from bad garage door companies:

• Always check the business’s license on the CSLB website before contacting a company or sharing personal information. Learn about the process here.
• Don’t contact a company on the internet just because it looks like it’s located right around the corner.
• Avoid businesses offering “too good to be true” discounts or bait-and-switch pricing tactics.
• If your garage door suddenly breaks down and needs emergency repairs, don’t panic. Always verify the license first.
• If you suspect you’ve contacted a scammer, ask them to leave immediately. Never pay in cash; always use a check or credit card. Call 911 if necessary.

Remember: Doing a little homework before hiring a garage door repair company can save you thousands of dollars and help you avoid the stress of dealing with scammers in your own home.