WA Attorney General Targets Price Gouging For At-Home COVID Tests

OLYMPIA, WA — Washington Attorney General Bob Ferguson is asking Washingtonians to let his office know about inflated pricing for at-home COVID-19 tests, which could run afoul of the state's Consumer Protection Act.

In a news release Tuesday, Ferguson's office said residents had already begun filing complaints in the last week, including one case where a person saw a Facebook ad for COVID-19 tests marked up more than three times their usual retail price.

"One of our most valuable tools to combat price gouging is the personal experience of Washingtonians," Ferguson said in a statement. "When you see a business charging exorbitant prices on products that are essential to our health and well-being, file a complaint with my office."

While Washington remains one of the few states without a specific anti-price gouging law, Ferguson's office said the state's Consumer Protection Act still applies, as it prohibits "unfair and deceptive business practices."

Ferguson's office sought price gouging legislation during the 2021 legislative session but said it failed to pass after pressure from business groups. Last year, the Attorney General fielded at least 1,300 complaints alleging price gouging.

Anyone who sees something they think could be price gouging is asked to take a photo or screenshot and attach it to a complaint form, which can be filed online.