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WEST VIRGINIA RECORD

Thursday, March 28, 2024

Morrisey reminds consumers of price gouging laws during emergencies

Pmorrisey

CHARLESTON — West Virginia Attorney General Patrick Morrisey is reminding West Virginians of the state’s price gouging laws, which go into effect any time a governor declares a “State of Emergency” or “State of Preparedness.”

On March 3, Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin declared a “State of Preparedness” to mobilize resources in preparation for a winter storm that is set to hit West Virginia.

“That declaration kicks into gear the state’s price gouging laws which control how much a retailer can raise prices of items or services the governor lists on his proclamation,” Morrisey said in a press release.

West Virginia Code outlines the state’s price gouging laws. Specifically, the laws prohibit any person, business or contractor from inflating the price of any consumer item by more than 10 percent of what it sold for 10 days prior to the declaration of a State of Emergency or State of Preparedness. Price gouging laws stay in effect until the state of emergency or preparedness is lifted or 30 days, whichever is longer, subject to limited exceptions. The items and services identified by the governor include:


  • Consumer food items, including food and beverages for humans and animals;

  • Emergency supplies, including water, flashlights, batteries, radios, candles, blankets, generators, heaters, and temporary shelters;

  • Essential consumer items, which includes articles necessary for the health, safety, and welfare of consumers, including clothing, diapers, soap, cleaning supplies, and toiletries; and

  • Home heating oil.


“It is important to remember that price gouging laws only go into effect when a governor declares either a State of Emergency or State of Preparedness,” Morrisey said. “As we have all seen in recent years, West Virginians will come together and help one another out in times of crisis.

"I believe that will be the case in this situation and that businesses will work hard to help their neighbors and customers.”

Morrisey said consumers who believe they have been charged prices that increased dramatically after the State of Preparedness declaration can file a complaint with the office’s Consumer Protection Division at 800-368-8808 or online at www.wvago.gov. Consumers who paid high prices should make a copy of the receipt, if they still have it, and attach the copy to their complaint.

“While our hope is that these incidences are rare, they do sometimes occur,” Morrisey said.

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