The Emergency Price Stabilization Act is in effect in the 12 Oklahoma counties hard hit by Saturday night’s tornadoes. The counties are Carter, Cotton, Garfield, Hughes, Kay, Lincoln, Love, Murray, Okfuskee, Oklahoma, Payne and Pontotoc.
The law, also referred to as the price gouging statute, prohibits an increase of more than 10 percent for the price of goods and services and helps protect citizens from unfair price hikes. Attorney General Gentner Drummond warned that anyone who violates the Act is subject to facing legal consequences.
“Our prayers are with the communities that have experienced such tragic loss and now face the hard work of recovery,” Drummond said. “In the aftermath of these devastating storms, unscrupulous actors should know that my office will absolutely not tolerate exorbitant prices on goods and services desperately needed by Oklahomans during this difficult time.”
The Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Unit is placing signs in counties affected by the Saturday night’s severe weather. Drummond encourages citizens to be on the lookout for contractor fraud in these areas and to report suspected fraud by calling toll free 833-681-1895.