Texas AG Issues Formal Demands Following Price Gouging During Harvey

The Texas Attorney General has notified 127 gas stations of price gouging during Hurricane Harvey.

During Hurricane Harvey, there was a lot of alleged price gouging of necessities. This not only impacted the costal area, but also more interior areas that never saw a direct impact from the storm. On October 30, 2017, The Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division sent notices to 127 gas-stations in Texas that charged in excess of $3.99 per gallon of gasoline. The notice provided to each business gives the individuals a chance to resolve the issue before proceeding to the litigation stage. This aren’t the only business likely to receive notices though. The AG’s Office is still investigating complaints received from consumers during this timeframe.

The Texas Attorney General’s Office is using the Texas Deceptive Trade Practices Act (or “DTPA” for short) to go after price gouging. The DTPA is what consumers and the state often use to control unscrupulous businesses in Texas. The DTPA allows for stiff civil penalties and injunctive relief to prevent business from maintaining deceptive or unfair trade practices. Price Gouging is only one of many practices prohibited. Often, this list of prohibited practices is called simply “the laundry list,” because there are so many things.

Read the Full AG’s Press Release Here

Emergency Management Law’s Post on the AG’s Established Price Gouging Hotline

Photo courtesy of the Department of Defense.