Release date:
1/3/2018
North Carolina Price Gouging Law in Effect
(RALEIGH) The price gouging law that protects consumers from scammers is now in effect in 54 North Carolina counties due to the winter storm state of emergency. Attorney General Josh Stein notified businesses and consumers today to be on the lookout for any issues.
“If you’re concerned about businesses taking advantage of people during this winter storm, please let my office know,” said AG Stein. “We’re here to protect consumers and we take that job seriously. It is against the law to charge an excessive price during a state of emergency, and if any businesses violate this law, I will hold them accountable.”
North Carolina has a strong statute against price gouging – charging too much during a time of crisis – that is tied directly to a declaration of a state of emergency. When Gov. Roy Cooper declared the state of emergency, that statute went into effect and will remain so until the state of emergency is lifted.
Attorney General Josh Stein and the North Carolina Department of Justice will be reviewing complaints from consumers closely over the next several weeks and is prepared to take action against any businesses engaging in price gouging activities. Please report potential price gouging by calling 1-877-5-NO-SCAM or file a complaint at www.ncdoj.gov.
Counties included in the state of emergency are Anson, Beaufort, Bertie, Bladen, Brunswick, Camden, Carteret, Chatham, Chowan, Columbus, Craven, Cumberland, Currituck, Dare, Duplin, Durham, Edgecombe, Gates, Granville, Greene, Halifax, Harnett, Hertford, Hoke, Hyde, Johnston, Jones, Lee, Lenoir, Martin, Montgomery, Moore, Nash, New Hanover, Northampton, Onslow, Pamlico, Pasquotank, Pender, Perquimans, Pitt, Richmond, Robeson, Sampson, Scotland, Stanly, Tyrrell, Union, Vance, Wake, Warren, Washington, Wayne and Wilson.
Contact:
Laura Brewer
(919) 716-6848
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