COLUMBIA, S.C. (WCBD) — A law against price gouging has gone into effect across South Carolina in accordance with the emergency declaration made by the governor ahead of potential tropical weather impacts.
Forecasters are closely monitoring Potential Tropical Cyclone Nine, a wave located near the coast of Cuba, which is expected to strengthen over the next several days.
The system was moving west-northwest at around 10 mph, with maximum sustained winds of nearly 35 mph, according to the National Hurricane Center’s 8 p.m. advisory. It is likely to become Imelda.
It is expected to move across the central and northwestern Bahamas this weekend, bringing heavy rainfall, before approaching the southeastern coast of the U.S. early next week.
Gov. Henry McMaster issued a state of emergency on Friday afternoon to activate the state’s emergency response plan. Once that declaration is made, the state’s prohibition on price gouging takes effect and remains in effect until the state of emergency either expires or is terminated.
Per South Carolina law, it is unlawful to “rent or sell or offer to rent or sell a commodity at an unconscionable price” during times of disaster. Normal fluctuation in prices is to be expected and is not considered price gouging.
“If these storms do cause problems, we could see normal price increases for goods and services, and those are not considered price gouging under our law,” said Attorney General Alan Wilson. “But, we may see businesses and individuals try to unfairly take advantage of the situation through price gouging of food, gasoline, lodging, and other commodities as defined by the statute. By our law, that’s a criminal violation and an unfair trade practice.”
Violators can be charged for excessive pricing, a misdemeanor offense punishable by a $1,000 fine or up to 30 days in jail.
If you see or experience what you believe to be price gouging, the attorney general’s office recommends you take the following steps to report it:
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Note the time, place, address, and name of the gas station or business
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Note any prices nearby and get the same information on those stations or businesses
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Take pictures that identify the business, along with the price
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Provide your name and contact information
Information should be emailed to the AG’s Office at pricegouging@scag.gov, submitted online, or by calling 803-737-3953.
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