With the state remaining under a state of emergency due to the recent winter storm, Attorney General Russell Coleman is reminding Kentuckians that his price-gouging hotline remains open.
Since Friday, Kentuckians have made 74 reports both online and through calling the hotline. Most of the complaints are fuel-related, including gasoline, kerosene and propane. Coleman encourages any Kentuckian who suspects price gouging to report it online or call 1-888-432-9257.
Consumers are reminded to include as much detail as possible about the suspected price gouging and to confirm the complaint contains accurate contact information for the consumer. The Attorney General’s Office of Consumer Protection reviews the complaints to determine if price gouging has occurred.
“Severe weather makes us more vulnerable, and scammers know it. Protecting Kentucky consumers during emergencies is a core responsibility of our Office,” Coleman said.
Kentucky law defines price gouging as a grossly excessive charge—more than 10% above the price prior to the emergency declaration—that is not related to higher costs to the seller. Goods and services covered by Kentucky’s price gouging law include food, gasoline, natural gas, heating oil, shelter, transportation, emergency cleanup, and repair or reconstruction services like tree removal.
In the nearly two decades since the Kentucky General Assembly passed legislation prohibiting price gouging during states of emergency, the Attorney General’s Office of Consumer Protection has pursued numerous actions to hold companies accountable for attempting to take advantage of Kentuckians at some of their most vulnerable times.
Under Kentucky law, no person shall sell, rent, or offer to sell or rent, regardless of whether an actual sale or rental occurs, a good or service listed in this paragraph or any repair or reconstruction service for a price which is grossly in excess of the price prior to the declaration and unrelated to any increased cost to the seller.
Goods and services included are consumer food items, goods or services used for emergency cleanup, emergency supplies, medical supplies, home heating oil, building materials, housing, transportation, freight, and storage services, gasoline or other motor fuels and direct care staff services provided by a health care services agency.
Attorney General Russell Coleman is reminding Kentuckians that his price- gouging hotline remains open. Photo courtesy of Kentucky Today
