Western NC price gouging reports near 200 with water being top complaint

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RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN) — The North Carolina Attorney General’s Office reports nearly 200 reports of Hurricane Helene-related price gouging.

Attorney General Josh Stein said the Department of Justice has received 196 complaints alleging Helene-related price gouging. Most complaints are related to fuel, groceries, and hotel costs with majority of complaints related to businesses in Buncombe, Cleveland, Madison, and Mecklenburg counties.

“Don’t use this as an opportunity to make a quick buck,” Stein warned businesses during a press call Friday.

The Attorney General’s Office said they are investigating these complaints and have already sent four civil investigative demands to learn more about some of these concerns.

“The vast majority of businesses do right by their customers and are bending over backwards to help people,” Stein said.

Stein warned people who may home repair, debris removal or any other contractor service to not hire the first person they come across. He advised people to get more than one quote, get any quote in writing, make sure all terms are in writing, including payment scheduled, and to never pay up front.

“The people I’ve spoken with have more than enough to worry about as they recover and rebuild. The last thing they need is a scammer coming in to take advantage of their desperation. If you see price gouging or any other scam, please report it to my office so we can investigate and take action,” Stein said.

The Attorney General expects more price gouging complaints to be filed in the coming weeks as more people gain access to internet and phone service.

Top complaint categories

• 87 grocery related
• 56 travel related
• 35 fuel related

Top complaints

• 48 water related
• 43 hotel rate related
• 31 gasoline/diesel related
• 29 food related

Top counties for complaints

• 23 from Buncombe Co.
• 15 from Cleveland Co.
• 13 from Henderson Co.
• 13 from Madison Co.
• 11 from Watauga Co.
• 11 from Mecklenburg Co.

File price gouging complaints at 1-877-5-NO-SCAM or www.ncdoj.gov/pricegouging.

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Judith Retana

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