New York Attorney General Letitia James has issued a warning to businesses regarding price gouging amid a water emergency in Whitehall. The village is currently experiencing a failure of its water system, prompting the declaration of a local state of emergency and restrictions on tap water use.
"As Whitehall works to restore clean and safe drinking water for all of its residents, I am strongly warning against price gouging of any essential goods and services," stated Attorney General James. "New Yorkers must be able to purchase water and other supplies they need without being taken advantage of. Anyone who sees abnormally high prices during this emergency should contact my office."
State law prohibits businesses from exploiting consumers by selling vital goods or services at excessively high prices during emergencies. This statute applies to vendors, retailers, and suppliers across New York State, covering essential items such as food, water, gasoline, generators, batteries, flashlights, hotel lodging, and transportation options.
Consumers are encouraged to report instances of price gouging to the Office of the Attorney General (OAG). They should provide details such as specific increased prices, dates, locations where these were observed, sales receipts copies, and photos of advertised prices if available.
Violations related to price gouging can result in penalties up to $25,000 per infraction. New Yorkers can report concerns by filing a complaint online or calling 800-771-7755.