Florida Agriculture and Consumer Services Commissioner Charles H. Bronson has urged state residents to report any instances of price gouging in the wake of the tornadoes that tore through four Central Florida counties this week.
State law prohibits charging exorbitant or excessive prices for essential items, including shelter, gasoline, food, water, ice, generators or lumber following the declaration of an emergency, unless the increases in the amount charged are attributable to additional costs incurred by retailers.
Governor Charlie Crist has declared an emergency in Volusia, Sumter, Lake and Seminole counties, triggering the activation of the price-gouging statute. The price gouging law’s activation is limited to activities only in those counties.
Individuals or businesses found to have engaged in price gouging face fines of up to $1,000 per violation, or up to a maximum fine of $25,000 a day.
“We’re asking consumers to come forward and let us know if any retailers have exploited our citizens or are profiteering from the tornadoes,” Bronson said. “This activity is not only reprehensible, it’s illegal.”
Bronson is asking residents who have any evidence that price gouging has occurred or is occurring to report it at once to his department’s toll-free hotline - 1 800 HELP FLA (435-7352). In addition to the price gouging oversight, Bronson’s Division of Forestry is providing assistance in clearing roads and removing debris.
Labels: Florida, price gouging
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