Staff report
The COVID-19 threat and the response to it is unprecedented in the minds of most living Americans.
One aspect of the crisis, however, is something we’ve seen in the wake of natural disasters like floods and hurricanes. It’s time to be on the lookout for price gouging, the Texas Attorney General’s Office and the Federal Trade Commission warned on Monday.
“Price gouging is selling or leasing necessary items at an exorbitant or excessive price,” Hays County ...
Staff report
The COVID-19 threat and the response to it is unprecedented in the minds of most living Americans.
One aspect of the crisis, however, is something we’ve seen in the wake of natural disasters like floods and hurricanes. It’s time to be on the lookout for price gouging, the Texas Attorney General’s Office and the Federal Trade Commission warned on Monday.
“Price gouging is selling or leasing necessary items at an exorbitant or excessive price,” Hays County warned in a press release. “Some examples include fuel, food, medicine, lodging, building materials, construction tools, etc.”
There are reports of other scams as well, including one being circulated by email that purports to make available money to those struggling. “While governments have discussed offering compensation to those affected, there are no government programs currently in effect. Anyone who tells you they can get you money now is a scammer.”
As always, residents are encouraged to treat email suspiciously, as scammers try to impersonate official sites. “Don’t click on links or attachments in emails or texts unless you are certain they come from a valid source and you are expecting that email,” the county warned.
“Remember that the government will never ask you for fees upfront, nor for your credit/debit card, bank account number, gift cards or Social Security number. Be aware of scams offering coronavirus advise. The best current preventions of social distancing, frequent cleaning and proper hand-washing, etc., have been widely disseminated and there are no cures, vaccinations or other credible preventions available at this time.”
Visit https://www.texasattorneygeneral.gov/consumer-protection/disaster-and- emergency-scams/how-spot-and-report-price-gouging to learn all the details or make a report of price gouging, or call 1-800-621-0508 to report it.