Bronson Reminds Residents That Price Gouging Hotline Remains Operational For Hanna
For Information, Contact:
Terence McElroy
(850) 488-3022
September 2, 2008
TALLAHASSEE – Florida Agriculture and Consumer Services Commissioner Charles H. Bronson today reminded state residents that his department’s price-gouging hotline, which was activated two weeks ago for Tropical Storm Fay, remains operational for the approaching Tropical Storm Hanna.
“We’re encouraging the public to report to us any instances of price gouging that they come across,” Bronson said.
Under Florida law, it is unlawful to charge exorbitant or excessive prices for essential items, including shelter, gasoline, food, water, ice, generators or lumber, following the declaration of an emergency, unless the increases in the amount charged are attributable to additional costs incurred by retailers.
Governor Charlie Crist declared a state of emergency for Fay last month, and he signed another executive order earlier today designating that a state of emergency exists for Hanna.
Individuals or businesses found to have engaged in price gouging face fines of up to $1,000 per violation, or up to a maximum fine of $25,000 a day.
“We’re asking consumers to come forward and let us know if any retailers have exploited our citizens or are profiteering from the approaching storm,” Bronson said. “This activity is not only reprehensible, it’s illegal.”
Bronson is asking residents who have any evidence that price gouging has occurred or is occurring to report it at once to his department’s toll-free hotline - 1 800 HELP FLA (435-7352).
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