{"id":89450,"date":"2018-03-25T01:20:52","date_gmt":"2018-03-25T05:20:52","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/madisoncountycourier.com\/?p=89450"},"modified":"2018-03-22T11:24:59","modified_gmt":"2018-03-22T15:24:59","slug":"schneiderman-reminds-new-yorkers-of-consumer-alert-regarding-price-gouging-during-winter-storm-toby","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/madisoncountycourier.com\/?p=89450","title":{"rendered":"Schneiderman reminds New Yorkers of consumer alert regarding price gouging during Winter Storm Toby"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"Schneiderman reminds New Yorkers of consumer alert regarding price gouging during Winter Storm Toby<\/strong><\/p>\n

As New Winter Storm Affects New York, A.G. Schneiderman Urges New Yorkers to Continue Reporting Potential Fraud to His Office, Offers Tips to Protect Consumers<\/em><\/p>\n

With severe winter weather continuing to affect New York state, Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman issued another consumer alert encouraging New Yorkers to contact his office if they experience any potential price gouging for winter weather-related services. New Yorkers can contact the Attorney General’s hotline at\u00a0518-776-2000<\/a>\u00a0or\u00a0file a complaint online<\/a>.<\/p>\n

General Business Law prohibits excessive increases in prices of essential goods and services like food, water, gas, generators, batteries and flashlights, hotel lodging and transportation during natural disasters or other events that disrupt the market. During and after severe winter weather events, these goods and services might also include snow plowing, snow removal from roofs, shovels and other snow removal equipment, salt and contract services for storm-related damage.<\/p>\n

In January, after receiving a flood of complaints from across New York state, Schneiderman announced<\/a> an investigation into possible misconduct by propane suppliers across New York, and has encouraged New Yorkers to report any delivery delays or possible price gouging for propane delivery.<\/p>\n

\u201cNew Yorkers should remain wary of fraudsters who use severe winter weather as an excuse to illegally line their pockets,\u201d said\u00a0Schneiderman. \u201cWe will not tolerate those who seek to exploit weather emergencies at the expense of New Yorkers. Any New Yorker that believes they may have been the victim of price gouging should contact my office right away.\u201d<\/p>\n

New York State\u2019s Price Gouging Law (General Business Law \u00a7 396-r) prohibits merchants from taking unfair advantage of consumers by selling goods or services for an \u201cunconscionably excessive price\u201d during an \u201cabnormal disruption of the market.\u201d The price gouging law covers New York State vendors, retailers, and suppliers, including but not limited to supermarkets, gas stations, hardware stores, bodegas, delis, and taxi and livery cab drivers.<\/p>\n

The aftermath of winter storms may also necessitate the hiring of contractors to assist with additional snow removal and home repairs. Reports of roof collapses or wind damage and the possibility of flooding from warming temperatures are areas of particular concern.<\/p>\n

Consumers should protect themselves when hiring contractors to perform storm-related services by considering the following:<\/p>\n