Attorney General Josh Stein addressed the issue of price gouging and disaster repair scams following Hurricane Helene. The North Carolina Department of Justice has received 196 complaints related to alleged price gouging, particularly concerning fuel, groceries, and hotel costs. These complaints primarily involve businesses in Buncombe, Cleveland, Madison, and Mecklenburg counties.
The Attorney General’s Office is actively investigating these complaints and has issued four civil investigative demands to gather more information. Attorney General Stein will discuss these issues further in a press call scheduled for this afternoon at 2:30 p.m.
“I have seen firsthand the devastation people in western North Carolina are facing,” stated Attorney General Josh Stein. “The people I’ve spoken with have more than enough to worry about as they recover and rebuild. The last thing they need is a scammer coming in to take advantage of their desperation. If you see price gouging or any other scam, please report it to my office so we can investigate and take action.”
North Carolina law prohibits price gouging during declared states of emergency by the governor or legislature. While businesses may need to adjust prices due to supply chain impacts during such times, they must do so transparently without exploiting the situation for profit.
In addition to addressing price concerns, Attorney General Stein warned residents about potential scams related to disaster repairs. He urged vigilance against those falsely offering repair services after the hurricane's damage.
Complaints regarding price gouging can be filed at 1-877-5-NO-SCAM or through www.ncdoj.gov/pricegouging.