With Western New York grappling with the impacts of a formidable lake effect snowstorm, Attorney General Letitia James issued a stern warning to New York businesses: refrain from price gouging or face the consequences. According to a press release from her office, the Attorney General highlighted the illegality of excessive pricing of essential goods and services during emergencies, a practice that New York law prohibits.
As the snow piles up, so does the potential for businesses to take advantage of the situation—by inflating prices on necessities such as food, gasoline, and flashlights. “As New Yorkers face heavy snow and dangerous conditions during one of the busiest travel weekends of the year, they should be able to get the supplies they need to stay safe without businesses jacking up prices,” James said, in a statement obtained by the Attorney General’s Office. Clearly, the concern is not just for the weather but for the well-being of consumers during times when they are most vulnerable.
In response to the emergency declaration across multiple counties, James' office outlines specific steps for residents to take should they encounter price gouging: report details including increased prices, the dates, and places where the prices were observed, alongside providing sales receipts and photos of the advertised prices if possible. This procedural guidance underscores the Attorney General’s dedication to prevent businesses from exploiting the disruptions caused by the storm, prioritizing consumer protection during such critical times.
The alert serves as a reminder of the strict penalties that predatory pricing can incur in New York—up to $25,000 per violation. Residents are encouraged to report any instances of price gouging to the Office of the Attorney General (OAG), either by filing a complaint online or calling a dedicated hotline.
