From staff reports OKLAHOMA CITY – The Emergency Price Stabilization Act – commonly known as the price-gouging statute – is in effect in Cotton County and the 11 other counties that were hit by tornadoes Sunday night.
The law prohibits an increase of more than 10% for the price of goods and services and helps protect citizens from unfair price hikes. State Attorney General Gentner Drummond warned that anyone who violates the Act is subject to “legal consequences.”
“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,” Drummond said.
Besides Cotton, the other affected counties are Carter, Garfield, Hughes, Kay, Lincoln, Love, Murray, Okfuskee, Oklahoma, Payne and Pontotoc.
The Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Unit is placing signs in counties affected by the 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.