Hurricane Matthew Price Gouging: How to Report It

NEW PORT RICHEY, FL — While the Tampa Bay area has largely escaped the effects of Hurricane Matthew, that doesn’t mean some people won’t try to cash in on the storm by dramatically raising prices on needed goods. That’s called price gouging and it’s illegal in the state of Florida.

With that in mind, the state of Florida has established a price gouging hotline and is also accepting complaints online. The hotline was established by Attorney General Pam Bondi before Hurricane Matthew moved into the state.

“Anyone who suspects price gouging during this declared state of emergency should contact my office immediately,” Bondi said in a statement. “If you do business in our state, do not take advantage of our citizens.”

The entire state of Florida remains under an emergency declaration. That means price gouging laws apply statewide. Florida statutes make it illegal for merchants to introduce extreme price increases on such commodities as food, gas, hotels, lumber, water and ice. The law defines gouging as pricing that “grossly exceeds the average price for that commodity during the 20 days before the declaration of the state of emergency.”

To report price gouging related to Hurricane Matthew call 866-9-NO-SCAM. Reports are also being accepted via Bondi’s website.

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