During the weather emergency, New Yorkers are being urged to report unfair pricing.
(WNY News Now) Attorney General Letitia James is cautioning companies from taking advantage of the situation by raising prices for necessities as a strong lake-effect snowstorm engulfs Western New York.
NEW YORK Today, as a powerful lake effect snowfall brought heavy snow to Western New York, Attorney General Letitia James of New York issued a warning to companies about price gouging of necessities. In Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Erie, Franklin, Genesee, Hamilton, Herkimer, Jefferson, Lewis, Oswego, St. Lawrence, Wyoming, and adjacent counties, the governor has proclaimed a state of emergency. The price gouging statute in New York prohibits companies from exploiting customers by charging exorbitant prices for necessities during emergencies or market disruptions. New Yorkers are urged by Attorney General James to notify the Office of the Attorney General (OAG) if they observe increased costs for necessities.
Attorney General James stated that it is unlawful and dangerous to charge exorbitant costs for necessities during an emergency. Without companies raising costs, New Yorkers should be able to obtain the materials they need to keep safe as they get ready for harsh winter weather and hazardous situations. I urge everyone to keep an eye out for price gouging and notify my office of any problems. Any retailer who exploits customers in an emergency situation will face consequences.
Businesses are prohibited by New York law from unfairly exploiting customers by charging unreasonably high prices for goods or services that are essential to health, safety, or welfare in times of emergency. In addition to vital goods and services required for the general public’s or consumers’ health, safety, and welfare, the price gouging act also applies to suppliers, merchants, and vendors in the state of New York. Food, water, fuel, generators, batteries, flashlights, hotel accommodations, and modes of transportation are some examples of these products and services.
Customers should do the following when reporting price gouging to OAG:
- Report the specific increased prices, dates, and places that they saw the increased prices; and
- Provide copies of their sales receipts and photos of the advertised prices, if available.
Infractions of price gouging may result in fines of up to $25,000. Residents of New York could contact OAG by phone at 800-771-7755 or online to report possible price gouging concerns.