HUNTINGTON, W.Va. (WCHS) — Demand for supplies during severe winter weather can drive up prices, but some increases are illegal under state law.
Price gouging violations can lead to penalties during declared emergencies, Kentucky Attorney General Russell Coleman said.
“This is an issue of folks taking advantage of the vulnerable, when there is a grossly excessive charge for goods and services you need at a time when an emergency has been declared,” Coleman said.
While price gouging laws may be lifted once an emergency ends, the attorney general’s office investigates consumer complaints throughout the year.
Coleman said violators in Kentucky can face fines of up to $25,000. Retailers are considered in violation when prices increase by more than 10% after an emergency is declared.
“Common-sense folks in the mountains can judge whether a price is grossly excessive,” Coleman said. “What we’ve seen most often are complaints related to fuel, heating oil, ice melt and other essential services people need during a storm.”
West Virginia’s price gouging law is also currently in effect.
“West Virginia statute says prices can’t be more than 10% higher than what items cost prior to the emergency,” said Kallie Cart, communications director for the West Virginia Attorney General’s Office.
Ohio does not have a specific price gouging law. Instead, excessive price increases during a state of emergency fall under the state’s general consumer protection statute.
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