Texas AG Urges Continued Reporting of Ike Related Price Gouging

Texas Gov. Rick Perry recently extended the Hurricane Ike disaster declaration through Nov. 6 for 90 Texas counties and the state Attorney General’s Office (OAG) is urging consumers to continue reporting instances of price gouging resulting from the hurricane.

Since Gov. Perry’s hurricane disaster declaration, the OAG has received hundreds of price gouging complaints from around the state. Most complaints allege price gouging on gas and lodging; others report price hikes involving food, water and power generators. The agency is investigating consumers’ claims that they were unlawfully charged inflated prices for necessities including fuel, hotel lodging and other necessities.

Texans are advised to keep written records and receipts of any transaction they believe constitutes price gouging. If speaking directly with the service provider does not resolve the dispute, Texans should call the toll-free complaint line, (800) 252-8011, or, if Internet service is available, file a complaint online at www.texasattorneygeneral.gov.

The extended disaster declaration includes the following counties: Anderson, Angelina, Aransas, Archer, Austin, Bell, Bexar, Bowie, Brazoria, Brazos, Burleson, Calhoun, Cass, Chambers, Cherokee, Collin, Colorado, Comal, Coryell, Dallas, Denton, Ellis, El Paso, Fort Bend, Franklin, Freestone, Galveston, Grayson, Gregg, Grimes, Hardin, Harris, Harrison, Henderson, Hill, Hopkins, Houston, Hunt, Jackson, Jasper, Jefferson, Johnson, Kaufman, Lamar, Lavaca, Leon, Liberty, Limestone, Lubbock, Madison, Marion, Matagorda, McLennan, Milam, Montgomery, Nacogdoches, Navarro, Newton, Nueces, Orange, Panola, Parker, Polk, Potter, Randall, Robertson, Rusk, Sabine, San Augustine, San Jacinto, San Patricio, Shelby, Smith, Tarrant, Titus, Tom Green, Travis, Trinity, Tyler, Upshur, Van Zandt, Victoria, Waller, Walker, Washington, Webb, Wharton, Williamson, Wise and Wood.

Source: Texas Attorney General’s Office