With Governor Gina Raimondo declaring a state of emergency in advance of the pending severe winter weather event, Attorney General Peter F. Kilmartin reminds businesses and consumers that under Rhode Island General Laws 6-13-21, upon a declaration of a state of emergency by the governor, retail sellers are prohibited from increasing the price of any item by an amount that represents an unconscionably high price. The maximum penalty for those found to have violated the statute is a fine of not more than one thousand dollars ($1,000) per violation with an aggregate total not to exceed twenty-five thousand dollars ($25,000) for any twenty-four (24) hour period.
"As a rule, Rhode Islanders always come together in times of crises to help each other out. Since I have taken office, we have not had a single reported case of a Rhode Island business taking advantage of their neighbors in need. Yet, it is important to remind everyone to be aware of potential price gouging and to report any incidents to our office," said Attorney General Peter F. Kilmartin.
Anyone who feels they have been the victim of price gouging just before or during the state of emergency declared by Governor Raimondo should contact the Attorney General's Consumer Protection Unit at (401) 274-4400, email consumers@riag.ri.gov or file a complaint online by visiting our website at www.riag.ri.gov. Consumers should be able to identify what they purchased, when and where they purchased it, the price they paid and why they feel that price was recently increased. Consumers should maintain receipts of the item(s) in question.