TAMPA, Fla. — In 2017, Floridians reported 14,000 price gouging complaints during Hurricane Irma. Attorney General Ashley Moody and local law enforcement are taking extra steps this hurricane season to address to the issue.
On Wednesday, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis declared a state of emergency in all 67 counties as Hurricane Dorian approaches the east coast.
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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.
If you suspect price-gouging, obtain as much information as possible. Take a photograph of the price tag with the item number, write down the product name, quality or size and the name of the manufacturer. Find previous receipts, bills, or invoices that show the price of the item within the 30 days prior to the state of emergency.
Report Price Gouging
- 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
Please remember to include your name, the name of the company or individual, and a complaint number, if you received one.
To avoid becoming a victim of price gouging, take these steps:
- Plan ahead. Prepare for a disaster before it happens. Always have the following items on hand:
- Five gallons of drinking water per person in your household
- At least two working flashlights
- A portable radio
- A telephone with a cord – If the electrical power is lost, a cordless telephone will not work
- An ample supply of batteries to power these and other items
- A full tank of propane and charcoal if you have a charcoal grill
- Non-perishable food items
- Formula and diapers, if you have young children in the home