With Hurricane Isaias barreling toward the Florida Panhandle, Attorney General James Uthmeier announced Friday that the state has activated its price‑gouging hotline.
The storm intensified Friday morning, upgrading to a major hurricane, and forecasters expect it to strike the coast late tonight or early Saturday morning.
“Protecting Floridians isn’t a seasonal job, and this hotline ensures that there is a simple process to report unconscionable increases in prices,” Uthmeier said. “Whether it’s a storm, a scam, or a greedy corporation, our office will enforce the law.”
Under Florida law (Section 501.160), sellers may not raise prices to unreasonable levels during a declared state of emergency. The rule covers essential items people need before and after a storm, such as food, water, ice, gasoline, lumber, hardware, and hotel rooms.
The regulations apply throughout the Panhandle and the northern counties listed in Governor Ron DeSantis’s emergency order: Baker, Bay, Calhoun, Citrus, Columbia, Dixie, Escambia, Franklin, Gadsden, Gilchrist, Gulf, Hamilton, Holmes, Jackson, Jefferson, Lafayette, Leon, Levy, Liberty, Madison, Okaloosa, Santa Rosa, Suwannee, Taylor, Wakulla, Walton, and Washington.
Anyone caught gouging customers faces a $1,000 fine per violation, which can total up to $25,000 in a single day, and may also trigger criminal charges for businesses or individuals.
People who notice suspicious pricing can file a report online at MyFloridaLegal.com or call the hotline directly at 1‑866‑9‑NO‑SCAM.
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