08/06/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 08/06/2024 10:15
TALLAHASSEE, Fla.-Attorney General Ashley Moody is warning Floridians to be cautious of price gouging, disaster scams and fraud in the aftermath of Hurricane Debby. Hurricane Debby affected millions of Floridians, bringing catastrophic storm surge along Florida's west coast while making landfall in the Big Bend region early Monday morning. These Floridians may now be seeking food, shelter, debris removal or home repairs. Attorney General Moody's Price Gouging Hotline remains activated for consumers to report allegations of extreme price increases, as well as scams related to the ongoing recovery efforts.
Attorney General Ashley Moody said, "As the recovery process for Hurricane Debby begins, it is important to remain vigilant for scams and price gouging. Bad actors may try to take advantage of Floridians recovering from the storm with disaster-related scams, such as contractor fraud and debris-removal scams. Floridians, please make sure all services are legitimate-research companies, verify licenses and review our Scams at a Glance: After the Storm brochure that provides additional tips and resources."
Following a disaster like Hurricane Debby, qualified contractors are usually in high demand and become booked up for months. Scammers or unqualified out-of-state workers may flood in to take advantage of Floridians in need of legitimate service. If property is damaged from the storm, follow these tips when hiring a contractor:
The Federal Emergency Management Agency offers disaster relief to eligible victims through various programs. Scammers may pose as FEMA officials to prey on vulnerable Floridians after a storm. When seeking aid, consider the following:
Water mains and personal wells can be affected during hurricanes. Dishonest companies and individuals may insist upon pricey tests to determine water safety. Avoid falling victim by following these tips:
Heavy winds from hurricanes or tropical storms often result in littered roads and uprooted trees. If planning to request removals of fallen or nearby trees after a storm, follow these tips to avoid being conned:
Following a disaster, it is common to see charity scams pop up as scammers aim to take advantage of generous Floridians. Review these tips to avoid falling for one of these schemes:
Anyone who suspects price gouging on storm-essential items can report it to the Florida Attorney General's Office by using the No Scam app, visiting MyFloridaLegal.com or calling 1(866) 9NO-SCAM. Attorney General Moody's No Scam app can be downloaded for free on Apple and Android devices through the app store by searching No Scam.
For more information on price gouging, click here.
Violators of the price gouging statute are subject to civil penalties of $1,000 per violation and up to a total of $25,000 for multiple violations committed in a single 24-hour period, in addition to other applicable penalties that may be imposed.
To download Attorney General Moody's Scams at a Glance: Price Gouging brochure in English, click here. To download the Spanish version, click here.
For tips on what to do before and after a storm strikes, download the 2024 Hurricane Preparedness Guide here. For the Spanish version, click here.
For additional information about storm-related scams and recovery resources, view Scams at a Glance: After the Storm. To download the resource in English, click here. To download the Spanish version, click here.
# # #
The Florida Attorney General's Consumer Protection Division issues Consumer Alerts to inform Floridians of emerging scams, new methods used to commit fraud, increased reports of common scams, or any other deceptive practice. Consumer Alerts are designed to notify Floridians about scams and available refunds in an effort to prevent financial losses or other harm caused by deceptive practices. Anyone encountering a scam should report the incident to the Florida Attorney General's Office by calling 1(866) 9NO-SCAM or visiting MyFloridaLegal.com. To view recent Consumer Alerts and for other information about avoiding scams, visit MyFloridaLegal.com/ConsumerAlert.