Price Gouging Line/Website Up And Running
It takes a special kind of person to gouge Floridians as a potential natural disater looms, but it happens. That’s why the Price Gouging Hotline exists. Ashley Moody, Attorney General for Florida, activated the Price Gouging Hotline just as the weekend began, in an attempt to protect residents from jacked-up prices on neccessities in preparation for the arrival of Ian. Moody activated the line almost immediately after Governor Ron DeSantis declared a state of emergency for 24 Florida counties in anticipation of the storm.
As Hurricane Ian approaches Tampa, its intensity is getting more powerful. That means more people will be trying to fill their gas tanks, get groceries and buy drinking water. While cases of price gouging during storms is uncommon, it still happens. The Price Gouging hotline exists to report those who are responsible for such behavior and to punish them for their actions. If you see an example of a severe price hike an item that is needed during a storm (gasoline, food, water, ice, hotel rooms, lumber, etc.), you are encouraged to report it to the Florida Price Gouging line at 1-866-9NO-SCAM or file your complaint online at MyFloridaLegal.com.
Those who violate Florida’s Price Gouging laws will be subject to ciatations of up to $1,000 per violation and up to $25,000 for multiple violations over a 24-hour period. There are also criminal charges that could be added to the fines. Source: WFLA.com
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