As Floridians prepare for Hurricane Isaias, state officials are reminding businesses that excessive price increases on essential goods and services are illegal during a declared state of emergency.
The Florida Attorney General's Office has activated the state's price gouging reporting system, allowing consumers to report unusually high prices on necessities such as gasoline, bottled water, food, generators, lumber, hotel rooms, and other storm-related supplies.
Officials are encouraging residents to remain vigilant while making last-minute preparations and to document any suspicious price increases. Consumers who believe they have encountered price gouging should save receipts, take pictures of advertised prices when possible, and report the incident to state authorities.
Complaints can be submitted through the Attorney General's Office at MyFloridaLegal.com or by calling the Price Gouging Hotline at 1-866-9NO-SCAM (1-866-966-7226).
State leaders say protecting consumers will remain a priority before, during, and after Hurricane Isaias as communities across North Florida and the Panhandle continue storm preparations.