North Carolina’s price gouging law is now in effect because a state of emergency has been declared due to Hurricane Joaquin, Attorney General Roy Cooper notified businesses and consumers last week.

“A hurricane shouldn’t be an excuse to rip off customers,” Cooper said. “Our strong law against price gouging in times of crisis helps protect consumers as well as legitimate businesses that play by the rules.”

Under a state of emergency declared last Thursday, the price gouging law is in effect statewide.
Price gouging—or charging too much in times of crisis—is against North Carolina law when a disaster, an emergency or an abnormal market disruption for critical goods and services is declared or proclaimed by the governor.

The law also applies to all levels of the supply chain from the manufacturer to the distributor to the retailer.
Cooper has enforced North Carolina’s price gouging law (N.C. General Statute 75-38) in the past to win thousands of dollars in refunds for consumers and penalties from violators.

“Most North Carolina businesses help their communities in times of trouble, but if you spot someone using this storm to try to justify price gouging, let my office know about it,” Cooper said.

Consumers can report potential price gouging to the Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division by calling 1-877-5-NO-SCAM toll-free within North Carolina or by filling out a complaint form at ncdoj.gov.

– Submitted by Noelle Talley