South Carolina AG Announces Price-Gouging Statute

Attorney General Alan Wilson says the state’s price gouging law is in full effect as the state prepares for Hurricane Matthew.

October 06, 2016

COLUMBIA, S.C. – South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson announced October 4 that the price gouging statute is in effect, upon notice that Governor Nikki Haley issued an executive order declaring a state of emergency.

“As we prepare for Hurricane Matthew to make landfall in South Carolina, it’s imperative that South Carolinians make necessary preparations and follow safety instructions. Our state is still recovering from the catastrophic damage caused by the floods in 2015, and as we have witnessed before, we will see many neighbors helping each other during this delicate time. However, we may also see some looking to unfairly take advantage of the situation through price gouging of food, gasoline, lodging, water and any other commodities as defined by the statute. Pursuant to state law, price gouging constitutes a criminal violation and an unfair trade practice,” Wilson said.

South Carolina’s price gouging law is “a general prohibition of unconscionable prices during times of disaster” and is in effect until the declaration (as in the governor’s declaration of a state of emergency) expires or is terminated. View the price gouging statute here.

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