Hurricane Dorian: State Receives 2,100 Price-Gouging Complaints

ACROSS FLORIDA — As Floridians fill up their gas tanks and purchase supplies in preparation for Hurricane Dorian's arrival, unscrupulous vendors are pushing up prices in the hopes of profiting from residents' sense of urgency.

Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody said her office has seen an increase in complaints related to price gouging, with about 2,100 reports so far. She said the majority of complaints are associated with water and gas prices, with some gas prices going up $2 per gallon overnight as service stations in some areas run out of fuel.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said the state is working on addressing gas shortages. He said the Florida Highway Patrol was able to escort fuel trucks from ports to gas stations throughout the night Friday.

"We are seeing most of the calls and complaints are coming from South Florida and Central Florida, which is no surprise considering the track of this hurricane," Moody said.
She said her office will continue to monitor the situation, and she urged Floridians to remain vigilant of "bad actors."

Moody activated Florida’s Price Gouging Hotline for all 67 Florida counties in conjunction with DeSantis' declaration of a state of emergency for the entire state. Florida’s Price Gouging Law only applies to areas that are in a state of emergency.

SEE ALSO: Hurricane Dorian Makes Landfall: Hurricane Watch Issued In FL

“The state of emergency has been extended to include all 67 counties in Florida in preparation for the arrival of Hurricane Dorian," said Moody. "You should be taking steps now to ensure you are prepared for the storm and the possibility of days without electricity. This means purchasing essential commodities such as food, water and fuel. I have activated Florida’s Price Gouging Hotline in an effort to prevent gouging, so Floridians can afford essential items now.”

State law prohibits excessive increases in the price of essential commodities, such as food, water, hotel rooms, ice, gasoline, lumber and equipment, needed as a direct result of an officially declared emergency.

The Attorney General's Office said most of the price-gouging complaints involve water and gas.

Tampa resident Miranda Doyel discovered how unscrupulous some businesses can be.

After finding bottled water sold out at area Publix, Target and Winn-Dixie stores, she went into a Family Dollar store located off Hillsborough Avenue. She photographed a handmade sign in the store advertising bottled water for $18 a case. A 24-pack of water at Target sells for $2.69.

Moody said anyone who suspects price gouging during this declared state of emergency should report it to the Attorney General’s Office by using the NO SCAM app, or calling (866) 9NO-SCAM. The Attorney General’s NO SCAM app can be downloaded for free through Apple and Android stores by searching NO SCAM.

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Violators of the price gouging statute are subject to civil penalties of $1,000 per violation and up to a total of $25,000 for multiple violations committed in a single 24-hour period. In addition to the civil penalties for price gouging, state law criminalizes the sale of goods and services to the public without possession of a business tax receipt. Violators of the law can be charged with a second-degree misdemeanor.

Specifically, Florida Statute, Section 501.160, states in part that, during a state of emergency, it is unlawful to sell, rent, offer to sell or offer for rent essential commodities, dwelling units or self-storage facilities for an amount that grossly exceeds the average price for that commodity during the 30 days before the declaration of the state of emergency.

Moody has posted more detailed information about price gouging on the state's website.

To download the Attorney General’s Hurricane Preparedness Guide, click here.