FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
NEWS RELEASE
October 6, 2017
For More Information, contact:
Mike Lewis (334) 353-2199
Steve Marshall
Joy Patterson (334) 242-7491
Page 1 of 1
Alabama Attorney General
AG MARSHALL WARNS AGAINST PRICE GOUGING
AS ALABAMA PLACED UNDER STATE OF EMERGENCY
IN ADVANCE OF TROPICAL STORM NATE
(MONTGOMERY) Attorney General Steve Marshall announced that Alabama’s
price gouging law is in effect following the declaration of a State of Emergency by
Governor Kay Ivey in advance of Tropical Storm Nate.
In her declaration which took effect at 7:00 a.m. Friday, Governor Ivey cited
sections 8-31-1 through 8-31-6 of the Code of Alabama that it is unlawful for any person
within the State of Alabama to impose unconscionable prices (i.e., to engage in “price
gouging) for the sale or rental of any commodity or rental facility during the period of a
declared State of Emergency.
Attorney General Marshall warned those who seek to exploit bad weather
conditions for profit that price gouging is a crime and they will be held accountable.
Alabama’s price gouging law comes into effect when the Governor declares a
State of Emergency, and it prohibits the “unconscionable pricing” of items for sale or
rent. Although what constitutes an unconscionable price is not specifically set forth in
state law, a price that is 25 percent or more above the average price charged in the same
area within the last 30 days–unless the increase can be attributed to a reasonable cost–
is a prima facie case of unconscionable pricing. The penalty is a fine of up to $1,000 per
violation, and those determined to have willfully and continuously violated this law
may be prohibited from doing business in Alabama.
Consumers and officials can report any problems of alleged fraud or illegal price
gouging to the Attorney General’s Office of Consumer Protection by calling toll-free 1-
800-392-5658, visiting the Attorney General’s website at www.ago.alabama.gov, or by
writing to 501 Washington Avenue, Montgomery, Alabama, 36130.
–30–
501 Washington Avenue * Montgomery, AL 36104 * (334) 242-7300
www.ago.state.al.us
