Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier has activated the state’s Price Gouging Hotline as Hurricane Isaias approaches the Florida Panhandle, giving residents a way to report excessive price increases on essential goods and services.
Isaias strengthened into a major hurricane Friday morning and is expected to make landfall along the northern Gulf Coast late Friday or early Saturday. The storm poses threats of damaging winds, dangerous storm surge and flooding across portions of the Panhandle.
Uthmeier said the hotline is intended to protect consumers from businesses attempting to take advantage of residents preparing for or recovering from the hurricane.
“Protecting Floridians isn’t a seasonal job, and this hotline ensures that there is a simple process to report unconscionable increases in prices,” Uthmeier said. “Whether it’s a storm, a scam, or a greedy corporation, our office will enforce the law.”
Under Florida Statute 501.160, businesses are prohibited from charging unconscionable prices for essential commodities and services during a declared state of emergency.
The restrictions cover storm-related necessities, including gasoline, food, drinking water, ice, lumber, emergency equipment and hotel accommodations.
The protections apply to 27 counties included in Gov. Ron DeSantis’ emergency declaration: Baker, Bay, Calhoun, Citrus, Columbia, Dixie, Escambia, Franklin, Gadsden, Gilchrist, Gulf, Hamilton, Holmes, Jackson, Jefferson, Lafayette, Leon, Levy, Liberty, Madison, Okaloosa, Santa Rosa, Suwannee, Taylor, Wakulla, Walton and Washington.
DeSantis expanded the emergency declaration through Executive Order 26-211 as the storm intensified and threatened communities along Florida’s Gulf Coast.
Florida Governor’s Office
Businesses found violating the price gouging law could face civil penalties of $1,000 per violation, with fines totaling as much as $25,000 for multiple violations within a 24-hour period. Criminal penalties may also apply in certain circumstances.
Floridians who suspect price gouging can file complaints through the Attorney General’s website at MyFloridaLegal.com or call the state’s toll-free hotline at 1-866-9-NO-SCAM (1-866-966-7226).
Additional information about Florida’s price gouging protections is available through the Attorney General’s Office.
