Price gouging complaints heard statewide
Items like toilet paper, groceries overpriced
As Virginians scramble in search of items to get them through the new coronavirus crisis, complaints about price gouging of essential goods are flooding into Attorney General Mark Herring’s office.
The office has received more than 400 complaints from across the state already.
“And we continue to receive more,” spokeswoman Charlotte Gomer said.
The complaints involve items sold in stores and online, including toilet paper, paper towels and other cleaning supplies, as well as hand sanitizer, bottled water and groceries, she said.
Herring and his staff are reviewing every complaint and will investigate any potential violations, Gomer added.
Virginia’s law says it is illegal to sell or lease necessary goods “at an unconscionable price” when a governor has declared a state of emergency because of a disaster.
The Code of Virginia says prices are unconscionable if they grossly exceed those posted on readily available goods and services for the 10 days before a disaster declaration, and if there’s been no similar increase in the retailer’s costs.
A violation subjects a retailer to a civil penalty of up to $2,500. In addition, individuals can sue to recover what they overpaid or $500, whichever is greater.
Price-gouging complaints have emerged in several other states.
Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody has received about 2,000 complaints, and has won more than $130,000 in refunds for consumers.
Michigan has received more than 1,400 complaints and assigned a team of special agents of the attorney general’s office to investigate, and issued a cease and desist order to a chain of Midwestern home improvement supplies stores.
And New York City is suing two pharmacies and a supermarket, alleging price gouging on face masks and hand sanitizer.