TALLAHASSEE – Hurricane Matthew brought torrential rain, heavy winds and many instances of retailers looking to stick it to consumers, if the complaints logged by Attorney General Pam Bondi's office are anything to go by.
Bondi's office said it received more than 2,000 complaints of price gouging statewide as of Friday afternoon, including more than 260 in Central Florida. Most were lodged against gasoline stations charging higher rates for fuel, water and ice. But hotels, motels, large retail and home improvement stores also generated complaints.
One came from Orlando resident Lora Mason, who said the Circle K at East Colonial Drive and Goldenrod Road charged her $9.99 for a pack of water that would have cost $3.88 at nearby Sam's Club.
"I only stopped there because it was right next to Sam's, and Sam's was out of water," Mason said.
Mason opted not to buy the water after all and instead relied on remaining water supplies at home, as well as Gatorade.
A person identifying himself as the Circle K store manager denied selling water at an inflated rate.
"We did not sell any water for that price," said the man, who didn't give his name to a reporter.
He said the gas station's price for water hadn't changed. He also said the store was closed on Thursday, but Mason went to the store Wednesday.
Mason says she isn't overly upset about the experience. Her home saw minimal damage and she didn't lose power. But after posting what happened on Facebook, an attorney friend suggested she file a complaint online.
"I was like, 'Are you kidding me?'" she said after being quoted for a price of more than $10 after sales tax.
Bondi has said she will crack down on price-gougers throughout the state and has investigators in the field tracking down complaints.
"You cannot raise prices substantially—and that is what these bad people are doing, and it is hurting our good citizens in a time of need, when they are the most vulnerable," Bondi told NBC News on Wednesday.
Florida's laws prohibiting price-gouging are triggered during a state of emergency, which Scott declared in all 67 counties on Monday in preparation for Hurricane Matthew.
Price-gouging is defined as charging a price for essential items such as food, water, ice, gas and lumber during an emergency that "grossly exceeds" the average cost of the commodity in the 30 days before the disaster. The penalty for violating the law is $1,000 fine per violation, up to $25,000.
Business owners accused of doing it must show the rate increases were reasonable based on their own increased costs or market pressures.
To file a complaint, consumers can call Florida's price-gouging hot line at 1-866-966-7226 or go online to www.myfloridalegal.com.
"Anyone who suspects price-gouging during this declared state of emergency should contact my office immediately," Bondi said. "If you do business in our state, do not take advantage of our citizens."
