Price-Gouging Alert: Contra Costa Residents Encouraged To Report

MARTINEZ, CA — As Contra Costa County enters its second day of a shelter-in-place order meant to curb the spread of the coronavirus disease — COVID-19 — in the region, the Contra Costa County District Attorney's Office reminded the community that price gouging is illegal when the county is under a state of emergency.

Community members are encouraged to report any instances of price gouging — when a retailer or seller is attempting to take unfair advantage of the public during an emergency by increasing prices in an unreasonable manner for essential consumer goods and services — to the DA's Office.

"California’s anti-price gouging statute, Penal Code Section 396, prohibits raising the price of many consumer goods and services by more than 10 percent after an emergency has been declared," DA's Office Spokesman Scott Alonso said in a news release.

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"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," Alonso said.

The DA's Office is charged with enforcing the statute, and may take additional action to protect consumers.

Price gouging can be reported to the county's Consumer Protection Unit by sending an email to DA-ReportFraud@contracostada.org or by filling out a consumer complaint form on the DA Office's website.

As of Wednesday morning, Alonso said the Contra Costa DA's Office has received no reports locally of price gouging.

The California Attorney General’s Office also recently cautioned about price gouging.

"Communities throughout our state are working to prevent and treat this public health threat," California Attorney General Becerra said. "Californians shouldn’t have to worry about being cheated while dealing with the effects of coronavirus. Our state's price gouging law protects people impacted by an emergency from illegal price gouging on medical supplies, food, gas and other essential supplies."

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