Price Gouging Hotline Opened for Flood Victims

As residents in five Florida counties reel from flooding that occurred earlier in the week, the state has stepped up to help.

On Thursday, Gov. Rick Scott declared a state of emergency in Pinellas, Pasco, Hillsborough, Taylor and Dixie counties. The state also opened up a Price Gouging Hotline for residents in those counties.

“Florida’s price gouging law only applies within the areas of the declared state of emergency,” Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi said in a statement. “The state law prohibits extreme increases in the price of essential commodities, such as food, water, hotels, ice, gasoline, lumber and equipment, needed as a direct result of an officially declared emergency. Anyone who suspects price gouging during this declared state of emergency should report it to the Attorney General’s Office by calling 1-866-9-NO-SCAM.”

Anyone who is convicted of price gouging in these counties could face civil penalties of up to $1,000 per violation and up to $25,000 for multiple violations within a single 24-hour period.

For more information about price gouging, visit Bondi’s website.

Photo courtesy of Pasco County