As the East Coast of the United States prepares for potentially hazardous weather from Tropical Storm Debby, Attorney General Jason Miyares announced today that Governor Glenn Youngkin’s declaration of a state of emergency has triggered Virginia’s anti-price gouging statutes. These measures are designed to protect consumers from paying exorbitant prices for necessities during an emergency event.
Enacted in 2004, Virginia’s Anti-Price Gouging Act prohibits suppliers from charging “unconscionable prices” for “necessary goods and services” during the thirty-day period following a declared state of emergency. Items and services covered by these protections include water, ice, food, generators, batteries, home repair materials and services, and tree removal services. The test for determining if a price is unconscionable is whether the post-disaster price grossly exceeds the price charged for similar goods or services during the ten days immediately prior to the disaster.
Violations of Virginia’s Anti-Price Gouging Act are enforceable by the Office of the Attorney General through the Virginia Consumer Protection Act. Complaints should be reported to the Office of the Attorney General Consumer Protection Section, except for claims related to gasoline and motor fuel prices, which are handled by the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.
Consumers can contact Attorney General Miyares’ Consumer Protection Section for additional information or to file a complaint. More information can be found at www.oag.state.va.us/consumer-protection/.