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Businesses in North Carolina are accused of charging exorbitant prices for food, water and gas during what is now called the tropical depression of Florence.
State authorities have received about 500 complaints that companies have violated state laws on price gouging, which prohibit people from charging "excessively excessive" prices during an official state of emergency.
North Carolina Attorney General John Stein announced the 500 complaints on Sunday, mainly against hotels and gas stations.
The Abusive Pricing Act took effect on Sept. 7 when Governor Roy Cooper declared the state of emergency before the hurricane planned by Hurricane Florence. It lasts until the end of the state of emergency.
A statement on the Attorney General's website indicates that the office will seek to take action against any company found guilty of price.
Companies found guilty can be fined $ 5,000 for each offense and be required to repay their clients.
"Attorney General Stein and the North Carolina Department of Justice will take a close look at consumer complaints over the next few weeks and are ready to take action against companies that engage in price-fixing activities," the report said. communicated.
"My office is there to protect the North Carolinians from scams and fraud," said Stein.
At least 17 people were killed by Hurricane Florence in North Carolina and South Carolina. The strength of the storm has been felt since Friday and the worst floods could still be ahead even though Florence was officially downgraded to a tropical depression.
Cooper said at a press conference Sunday that the storm had "never been as dangerous as it is now."
"Wherever you live in North Carolina, be alert to sudden floods," he said.
Abusive prices are not unusual after major natural disasters. Abusive pricing reports – including $ 20 for a gallon of gas and $ 99 for a water case – have increased in the Texas areas most affected by Hurricane Harvey in 2017.
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