Consumers who believe they have been the victim of price gouging can file a complaint with the State Division of Consumer Affairs by calling 1-800-242-5846 or 973-504-6200.
The New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs is investigating about 100 reports of alleged price gouging in northern and southern New Jersey, according to a news release from Gov. Chris Christie’s office.
Consumers are alleging that gas stations, hotels, retailers selling generators and other merchants selling essential items in northern and southern New Jersey have violated state law by engaging in price gouging during the state of emergency, according to the news release.
“We are actively investigating calls from across our state, alleging that gas stations have raised their prices by 20 to 30 percent in one day, that hardware stores have doubled the price they charge for generators overnight, and that hotels have excessively increased the price of rooms for residents who are without electricity or who have been evacuated from their homes,” Christie said in a news release. “We will not hesitate to impose the strictest penalties on profiteers who, in direct violation of our consumer protection laws, seek to capitalize on the misfortune of others in the midst of a crisis and recovery period.”
State law defines price gouging as selling merchandise at an increase of more than 10 percent before a declared state of emergency or for 30 days after the end of emergency.
Attorney General Jeffrey S. Chiesa noted in the news release that many businesses have refused to provide consumers with receipts. He urged that consumers demand written receipts before paying for any items and be prepared to provide them to the Division of Consumer Affairs.
“We are receiving an extraordinary volume of calls from consumers who say certain businesses are charging prices excessively higher today than they were before the state of emergency, for merchandise such as gasoline, generators, and hotel rooms — items that people need as they recover from this unprecedented storm,” Chiesa said in a news release. “Most of the businesses out there are seeking to help their communities and New Jersey’s recovery. We will take forceful action against any found to be violating the law at the expense of their fellow New Jerseyans.”
Consumers who believe they have been the victim of price gouging can file a complaint with the State Division of Consumer Affairs by visiting njconsumeraffairs.gov or by calling 1-800-242-5846 or 973-504-6200.