Price gouging hotline activated as Hurricane Irma approaches

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Attorney General Pam Bondi on Monday night activated Florida’s price gouging hotline as Hurricane Irma moves west in the Atlantic.

The opening of the hotline comes as Gov. Rick Scott declares a state of emergency in all 67 Florida counties in preparation for the potential impact of the Category 4 hurricane. 

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“Floridians need to prepare now and they should not be inhibited by unlawful price increases on supplies necessary to brace for a major hurricane strike,” Bondi said. “By reporting suspected price gouging you can protect yourself and your fellow Floridians.”

State law prohibits extreme increases in the price of essential commodities, such as food, water, hotels, ice, gasoline, lumber and equipment, needed as a direct result of an officially declared emergency.

Anyone who suspects price gouging during this declared state of emergency should report it to the Attorney General’s Office by calling 1-866-9-NO-SCAM.

For more information on price gouging, click here.


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