TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Attorney General Ashley Moody opened up the price gouging hotline Thursday and since then her office has been flooded with complaints.
“For the most part— businesses are helping Floridans. Making sure they have the supplies they need and that they can stay safe. But, when there are bad actors, we’re responding. We’ll hold businesses accountable,” Moody said Monday.
Florida’s price gouging hotline and app has heard from about 2,100 people as Dorian approaches.
The hotline was created to prevent retailers from illegally jacking up the prices as Florida prepares for the storm. Most of the complaints are for fuel and water.
However, hotel pricing has become an issue too as people evacuate. State officials have gone to about 145 businesses and in most cases gotten prices to drop or or refunds issued.
The AG is encouraging everyone to report any items that grossly exceed regular prices. If the prices meet the threshold of price gouging is decided on a case-by-case basis. In doubt, Moody said, you should report it.
Report price gouging through:
Hotline: 1-8669-NO-SCAM (1-866-966-7226)
App: NO SCAM
Online by clicking here.
The app is walking customers through all the necessary steps. Moody said in past years some people forgot to submit some important information investigators would have needed to go after bad actors.
