As is common during hurricane season, price gouging can become a real problem.
With the threat of the coronavirus continuing to rise in the state of Florida, Florida’s price gouging hotline was opened to ensure that Floridians were not taken advantage of during the crisis.
Since being opened, the Florida Attorney General’s Office has received around 2,700 contacts regarding price gouging of essential commodities. As well, it has issued 3,800 referrals and contacts to merchants about the price gouging allegations, which has resulted in $158,000 in refunds. Furthermore, 65 subpoenas have been issued as well.
In a statement, Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody (R) commented on the concern, saying that “for more than a month now, my investigators and attorneys have been working diligently to deter price gouging, secure refunds and hold bad actors accountable.” She expressed that “these efforts are producing results, and a large part of that success is due to the great information we are receiving from Floridians who do not want to see their neighbors taken advantage of during these challenging times.”
The Attorney General urged all Floridians to “please keep the reports coming” because her office “will continue our efforts to deter price gouging and hold gougers accountable.”
