FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuesday, August 19, 2025
Email: nahmed@ncdoj.gov
Phone: 919-538-2809
RALEIGH – North Carolina’s price gouging law is in effect across the state ahead of Hurricane Erin after Gov. Josh Stein declared a state of emergency earlier today.
The price gouging law makes it unlawful for businesses or sellers to charge excessively high prices during a crisis. North Carolinians can report price gouging to the Department of Justice at 1-877-5-NO-SCAM or www.ncdoj.gov/pricegouging.
“North Carolinians on the coast should be following emergency updates from local officials and make sure they’re prepared for the effects of Hurricane Erin,” said Attorney General Jeff Jackson. “Folks should file a complaint with our office right away, if they see a business charging more for essential goods and services than they should. It’s wrong, and illegal, to take advantage of a natural disaster just to make an extra buck.”
In some cases, businesses need to increase prices so they can offset rising costs and the effects of critical incidents on their industry. But businesses can’t unreasonably raise prices to increase their own profit, and they should disclose any reasonable increases to customers before they buy.
North Carolina’s price gouging law goes into effect when the governor declares a state of emergency.
You can follow updates from the State Emergency Response Team at https://www.readync.gov/Erin.
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