Attorney General Ashley Moody has activated Florida’s Price Gouging Hotline following a state of emergency declaration for areas preparing for Potential Tropical Cyclone Nine. This activation brings state price gouging laws into effect for the counties covered by the state of emergency, including Alachua, Bay, Bradford, Calhoun, Charlotte, Citrus, Collier, Columbia, Dixie, Escambia, Franklin, Gadsden, Gilchrist, Gulf, Hamilton, Hernando, Hillsborough, Holmes, Jackson, Jefferson, Lafayette, Lee, Leon, Levy, Liberty, Madison, Manatee, Marion, Monroe, Okaloosa Pasco Pinellas Santa Rosa Sarasota Sumter Suwannee Taylor Union Wakulla Walton and Washington.
The law applies to essential items and services needed to prepare for or recover from a storm within the declared areas. Attorney General Ashley Moody stated: “Potential Tropical Cyclone Nine is expected to strengthen as it works its way through the Gulf of Mexico and could impact large parts of Florida near the end of this week. To help Floridians prepare for this event we are activating the price gouging hotline to accept reports of extreme price increases on essential commodities. As the system approaches I’m urging Floridians to finalize their storm prep monitor weather reports and follow the guidance of local authorities. Stay Safe Florida.”
During a declared state of emergency related to storms state law prohibits excessive price increases on essential commodities such as equipment food gasoline hotel rooms ice lumber and water required due to the event.
Reports of suspected price gouging can be made to the Florida Attorney General’s Office via MyFloridaLegal.com or by calling 1(866) 9NO-SCAM. Additional information on price gouging is available through Attorney General Moody’s Scams at a Glance: Price Gouging resource.
Recovery after severe storms can be challenging with scammers potentially targeting victims. To prevent falling victim to post-storm scams residents can view Attorney General Moody’s Scams at a Glance: After the Storm resource.
Violators of the price gouging statute face civil penalties of $1 000 per violation up to $25 000 for multiple violations in a single 24-hour period.
Attorney General Moody also released the 2024 Hurricane Preparedness Guide which includes information on tropical systems preparedness checklists and tips for avoiding storm-related scams before during and after weather events.