Florida Governor Charlie Crist Reminds Business Owners That Price Gouging is Illegal in the Aftermath of a Hurricane
June to November is hurricane season in Florida and as most Floridians can attest, a hurricane can cause hardships that last long after the winds have died down. These can include difficulty finding essential items like gasoline or other fuel, food, water, and shelter for purchase. Under Florida Law, it is illegal for businesses to charge excessive prices for these items in the wake of an emergency; any price increases must be justified by an actual rise in the cost to procure or sell the item.
Once the Governor declares and emergency for an approaching storm, the price gouging law goes into effect. Under Florida law (Fla. Statutes 501.60) price gouging is prohibited during a State of Emergency. In most hurricane landfalls or near misses, a State of Emergency will be declared. The statute protects residents from gouging on "essential commodities." Florida residents are actively encouraged to report price gouging to the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services hotline at 1-800-HelpFLA.
When a hurricane or other disaster strikes, Floridians need to stick together to help each other out, not take advantage of people when they are the most vulnerable. This law serves as a powerful deterrent for greedy business owners who might be tempted to make a quick buck off of someone else's misery. Read more about hurricane emergency statutes available to Governor Crist at Tropical Storm Ida brings warnings about price-gouging.
If you are a business owner with a question about Florida law, please contact Wood, Atter & Wolf, P.A. for legal counsel.
