For Immediate Release:
Tuesday, January 9, 2024
Contact: Nazneen Ahmed
919-716-0060
(RALEIGH) Attorney General Josh Stein today announced that North Carolina’s price gouging law is in effect after Gov. Roy Cooper declared a statewide state of emergency due to severe weather.
“I am praying for everyone’s safety during these storms,” said Attorney General Josh Stein. “Please watch out for price gouging. If you see unfair prices, please report them to my office at ncdoj.gov/pricegouging so we can investigate. I will do all I can to hold any bad actors accountable.”
North Carolina’s law against price gouging, or charging too much in times of a crisis, goes into effect when the Governor or the legislature declares a state of emergency. In some cases, businesses and industries have a reasonable need to increase prices to resupply, but they should disclose these increases so people can make informed purchasing decisions. Businesses cannot, however, unreasonably raise the price of goods or services to profit from a state of emergency.
Please report potential price gouging by calling 1-877-5-NO-SCAM or by filing a complaint at https://ncdoj.gov/pricegouging. Our office reviews price gouging complaints closely and Attorney General Stein is prepared to take action against any person or business engaging in price gouging.
Since 2018, Attorney General Stein has brought 12 lawsuits against 29 defendants under North Carolina’s price gouging statute. He has obtained 14 judgments or settlements totaling $1,080,000 against 25 defendants, including a $274,000 settlement that was the largest price gouging settlement in the department’s history.
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