Price Gouging Still Illegal In 11 Fire-Affected CA Counties

CALIFORNIA — State Attorney General Xavier Becerra issued an alert this week reminding consumers and businesses that price-gouging prohibitions remain in effect in the fire-affected counties of Butte, Colusa, Lake, Mendocino, Napa, San Diego, Santa Barbara, Shasta, Siskiyou, Sonoma and Ventura.

Under California law, price gouging — charging a price that exceeds, by more than 10 percent, the price of an item before a state or local declaration of emergency — is prohibited anywhere in the state where there is an increased consumer demand as a result of a declared emergency.

Emergency declarations are active in the aforementioned counties, the attorney general said.

"Families affected by wildfires throughout the state are trying to rebuild and recover, and they should be able to do so without the worry of being cheated," Becerra said Thursday. "We remind consumers that California’s price gouging prohibitions apply not only during the immediate disaster, but also after a state of emergency has been declared, when families are working to rebuild."

The state's price-gouging law protects people impacted by an emergency from illegal price gouging on housing, gas, food and other essential supplies.

"I encourage anyone who has been the victim of price gouging, or who has information regarding potential price gouging, to immediately file a complaint through my Office’s website or call (800) 952-5225, or to contact their local police department or sheriff’s office," Becerra said.

In addition to those who sell food, gas, emergency supplies, medical supplies and building materials, the state's law also applies to those who provide repair or reconstruction services, emergency cleanup services, transportation, freight and storage services, hotel accommodations and rental housing.

Exceptions to the prohibition exist if, for example, the price of labor, goods or materials has increased for the business, the attorney general's office noted.

Violators of the price-gouging statute are subject to criminal prosecution that can result in a one-year imprisonment in county jail and/or a fine of up to $10,000. Violators are also subject to civil enforcement actions including civil penalties of up to $5,000 per violation, injunctive relief and mandatory restitution.

The attorney general and local district attorneys can enforce the statute.

RELATED:

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• Novato Landlord Charged With Price Gouging During Wildfires
• 2 Sonoma Co. Landlords Charged For Rent Gouging In Fire Emergency

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