Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody has activated the state’s Price Gouging Hotline in response to the state of emergency declared for 41 Florida counties ahead of Potential Tropical Cyclone Nine.
With the storm expected to strengthen and impact parts of Florida later this week, price gouging laws are now in effect in the counties under the state of emergency, including Alachua, Bay, Collier, Hillsborough, Lee, Monroe, and many others.
Read: Florida Senators Urge Biden To Approve Pre-Landfall Emergency Declaration Ahead Of Hurricane Helene
Moody emphasized the importance of preparation: “As Potential Tropical Cyclone Nine strengthens in the Gulf of Mexico, it could impact large areas of Florida by the end of the week. To help Floridians prepare, we are activating the price gouging hotline to report any extreme price increases on essential goods. I urge everyone to complete their storm prep, stay informed, and follow local authorities’ guidance. Stay safe, Florida.”
Florida’s price gouging laws prohibit excessive price increases on essential items such as food, water, gasoline, hotel accommodations, and construction materials in areas under a declared state of emergency.
Read: AccuWeather Experts Urge Florida, U.S. Gulf Coast To Prepare For ‘Major Hurricane’
Anyone who suspects price gouging can report it by visiting MyFloridaLegal.com or calling 1(866) 9NO-SCAM. Attorney General Moody’s Scams at a Glance: Price Gouging resource provides more information about price gouging.
Violators of the price gouging law face civil penalties of up to $1,000 per violation and as much as $25,000 for multiple violations within a 24-hour period.
Read: Hillsborough County Declares State of Emergency Due To Potential Tropical Cyclone Nine
Additionally, after the storm, Floridians are encouraged to remain vigilant against scams that often arise during recovery efforts. Resources to help avoid scams are available in both English and Spanish through the Attorney General’s office.
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