How to report price gouging during an emergency

Price gouging occurs when sellers dramatically increase prices on essential goods or services during an emergency. Federal and state laws aim to prevent this exploitative practice, protecting consumers during times of crisis. Knowing how to report it is crucial.

Step-by-step playbook

  1. Identify the emergency declaration — Verify if a state of emergency has been officially declared in your area by the governor or president, as price gouging laws are often activated by such declarations [S3].
  2. Document the incident immediately — Collect evidence including dates, times, business name and address, specific products/services, prices charged, and, if possible, the normal pre-emergency price. Take photos of price tags or receipts [S6].
  3. Contact your State Attorney General — File a formal complaint with your state's Attorney General's office. Many states provide online complaint forms or dedicated hotlines for price gouging during emergencies [S3].
  4. Follow up on your complaint — Keep a record of your complaint number and any correspondence. Be prepared to provide additional information if requested by the Attorney General's office.
  5. Report to FTC if applicable — For broader consumer protection concerns or if uncertainty exists about jurisdiction, you can also report to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), which shares information with state authorities [S8].

Your rights

Who to contact

Your rights

Price gouging generally refers to the practice of increasing the prices of essential goods, commodities, or services to an exorbitant or unfair level during a declared emergency [S1]. While there is no federal law specifically prohibiting price gouging, most U.S. states have their own statutes designed to protect consumers by making it illegal to excessively raise prices on necessities like food, water, gasoline, and building materials during a state of emergency [S2, S3].

These state laws, often called "unconscionable price increase" statutes, typically go into effect after a state of emergency is declared by the governor or president [S3]. The specific goods and services covered, the definition of an "excessive" price increase, and the length of the price gouging prohibitions vary by state [S2, S3]. For example, some states define price gouging as an increase above 10% of the pre-emergency price, while others use a more subjective "unconscionable" standard [S4, S5]. It's your right to not be exploited by vendors during an emergency by being charged unfair prices for necessities.

How to dispute

If you suspect price gouging, documentation is key. Collect as much evidence as possible, including [S6]:

  1. Date and Time: When did the alleged gouging occur?
  2. Location: Address of the business or seller.
  3. Product/Service: Specific items or services being sold.
  4. Price Charged: The exact price you were asked to pay.
  5. Normal Price: The price before the emergency, if known.
  6. Receipts/Photos: Keep copies of receipts, take pictures of price tags, or screenshots of online offers.
  7. Contact Info: Name of the business and any individuals involved.

After gathering evidence, the primary method for disputing price gouging is by filing a complaint with your state's Attorney General's office [S3]. Many states have dedicated hotlines or online forms for price gouging complaints during emergencies. Some states also permit local authorities or district attorneys to pursue price gouging cases [S2].

Common traps

One common trap is not recognizing what constitutes a "declared emergency." Price gouging laws typically only activate after an official declaration, so an anecdotal emergency (e.g., a localized power outage without official declaration) might not trigger these protections [S3]. Another trap is focusing solely on the sticker price; sometimes, the gouging might be hidden in inflated delivery fees or bundled services [S6]. Finally, be aware that not all price increases are gouging. Suppliers' costs may genuinely increase during emergencies, and slight price adjustments might be justifiable. The key is an excessive or unconscionable increase [S3, S5].

When to escalate

Escalate your complaint immediately to your state's Attorney General's office as soon as you have sufficient evidence. Do not delay, as some states may have specific reporting windows or resources that are more available shortly after an emergency declaration [S7]. While you can try to discuss the price with the vendor, the most effective escalation path for price gouging is through official state consumer protection agencies. If the price gouging involves an online platform or national retailer, you may also consider filing a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), though they primarily refer state-specific complaints to the relevant state authorities [S8]. Remember, states lead the enforcement against price gouging.

Sources

  1. The Basics of Price Gouging Laws
  2. Price Gouging Laws by State
  3. Price Gouging – Consumer Advice
  4. Florida Attorney General - Price Gouging
  5. California Attorney General - Price Gouging in a Declared State of Emergency
  6. Reporting Price Gouging
  7. NY State Attorney General - Price Gouging Prevention
  8. How to Report Fraud

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