Price Gouging During A Hurricane: What It Is And How To Report It
During Hurricane Irma there were a reported 14,000 price gouging complaints filed with Attorney General Ashley Moody and local law enforcement.
On Wednesday, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis declared a state of emergency in all 67 counties as Hurricane Dorian approaches the east coast.
According to ABC Action News:
Florida Statute 501.160 and 501.205 state that during a state of emergency it is illegal to charge unconscionable prices for goods or services following a declared state of emergency. Individuals or businesses found guilty of price gouging could face fines up to $1000 per violation, or up to a maximum of $25000 per day.
Examples of necessary commodities are food, ice, gas, and lumber.
To know if a price is being gouged, compare the price to the average price over the last 30 days. If there is a large difference between the prior price and the current charge, it is considered price gouging.
Here is how to report price gauging:
- 1-866-966-7226
- Report Online
- NO SCAM app
You may also report violations by mailing documents to the following address:
Office of the Attorney General
The Capitol, PL-01
Tallahassee, FL 32399-1050
FOR THE LATEST ON DORIAN CLICK HERE.
[source: ABC Action News]
