Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody is warning Floridians about disaster scams and price gouging that may arise following tornadoes and severe weather in Northern Florida this past week.
Governor Ron DeSantis declared a state of emergency for 12 counties in Northern Florida as more than 180,000 Floridians lost power.
Floridians may now be seeking debris removal, essential commodities or home repairs. Attorney General Moody’s Price Gouging Hotline remains activated for consumers to report allegations of extreme price increases and scams related to recovery efforts.
Read: Florida AG Ashley Moody Activates Price Gouging Hotline Following Tornadoes
There are also reports of severe weather for the beginning of this week throughout North Florida—Floridians should continue to monitor weather reports and listen to local emergency officials.
“Fraudsters may solicit in disaster areas to take advantage of vulnerable storm victims. Following the devastating tornadoes in North Florida and the potential for more severe weather this week, I am asking people to stay on alert for scammers offering to remove debris, fix roofs or make home repairs for cash up front. For more tips on how to avoid these types of recovery fraud, check out our Scams at a Glance: After the Storm,” said Moody.
During the aftermath of natural disasters, scammers may try to exploit Floridians in several different ways. Attorney General Moody is offering the following tips to avoid disaster-related scams:
- Watch out for anyone who approaches unsolicited about tree removal. Research a company thoroughly and never pay the full amount up front;
- Confirm that companies or contractors are legitimate—have an insurance company ensure the services are included;
- Beware of fake charities or overly aggressive solicitors demanding urgent donations and consider established disaster relief organizations before solicitations occur; and
- To combat price gouging, check prices of the same product sold by other sellers in the area and keep copies of receipts, estimates or invoices.
Read: Florida AG Ashley Moody Shuts Down 10 Phony Scam Sites Targeting SunPass Users
For more information on price gouging, click here.
Violators of the price gouging statute are subject to civil penalties of $1,000 per violation and up to a total of $25,000 for multiple violations committed in a single 24-hour period, in addition to other applicable penalties that may be imposed.
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