Martinez, Calif. – The Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office wants to remind all residents that price gouging is illegal while our community is under a State of Emergency from the emergence of the novel coronavirus/COVID-19.
Price gouging is when a retailer or seller is attempting to take unfair advantage of the public during an emergency by increasing prices in an unreasonable manner for essentialconsumer goods and services. California’s anti-price gouging statute, Penal Code Section 396, prohibits raising the price of many consumer goods and services by more than 10 percent after an emergency has been declared.
Members of the public are encouraged to report any instances of gouging to our Consumer Protection Unit by email at DA-ReportFraud@contracostada.org. Individuals may also fill out a consumer complaint form on our website. Violators of the price gouging statute are subject to criminal prosecution that can result in a one-year imprisonment in county jail and/or a fine of up to $10,000. The DA’s Office is charged with enforcing this statute. Additional civil enforcement action may also be taken by our Office to protect consumers. The California Attorney General’s Office also issued information on price gouging during this emergency.
Price gouging is a pet peeve to a lot of us, but with Becton’s track record. Is she going to take this seriously, or is this a dog and pony show?
How about public shaming? Posting the names of gougers for all to see?
So far everything and everyone seems pretty cool although it was hard to find certain items there at the beginning. I’m hoping our supply chain straightens out and prioritizes so we don’t see any more of these crazy lines and desperation over items we don’t really need. We may soon see a return to WWII type messaging and outreach from government local and federal to get people to focus.
Seen some attempts at black market sellling but nothing bad in the stores. People are being good.
So far it seems people are being good. I can say for sure that businesses are already hurting and this is only the first week at this.
Are there any examples of this so far? Seems under control?