Virginia Attorney General Bob McDonnell announced that the Virginia Post-Disaster Anti-Price Gouging Statute is now activated with the issuance of a State of Emergency by Gov. Tim Kaine. Kaine issued the State of Emergency in advance of Tropical Storm Hanna, which is expected to impact the Commonwealth this weekend.

The Virginia Post-Disaster Anti-Price Gouging Act, which became law on July 1, 2004, prohibits the charging of "unconscionable" prices for "necessary goods and services" within the affected area during the 30-day period following issuance of a declared state of emergency.

The basic test under the statute is whether the price charged for the goods or services "grossly exceeds" the price charged immediately (within ten days) before the disaster. "Necessary goods and services" includes those goods or services for which demand does, or is likely to, increase as a result of the disaster.

Anyone who suspects price gouging should immediately report this to the Office of Consumer Affairs, which investigates complaints of this nature. The Office of the Attorney General works with Consumer Affairs to prosecute companies guilty of violating the statute. Citizens can contact the Office of Consumer Affairs at:

Office of Consumer Affairs
102 Governor Street
Richmond, Virginia 23219
804-786-2042 or 1-800-552-9963
804-225-2666 (fax)
http://www.vdacs.state.va.us/index.html

Or you can download a price-gouging complaint form by going online.