AG Jones reminds Virginians about anti-price gouging protections ahead of winter storm

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- With winter weather barreling toward the Commonwealth, many Virginians looking to stock up on food, water and other essentials are finding empty store shelves. However, the good news is that if you do find what you’re looking for, you won’t have to spend an arm and a leg. That’s because with Gov. Abigail Spanberger declaring a State of Emergency, Virginia’s anti-price gouging laws are in effect. 

“We want to make sure that folks across Virginia know that we have their back, and we stand ready to go after folks who are overcharging folks as this severe weather comes in,” Attorney General Jay Jones told 8News on Friday. 

Jones said the Attorney General’s office handles complaints about essentials like food, water, and generators, but not gas. Jones said any price gouging complaints about gas are handled by the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. 

“If anyone else has anything else that they see that they feel they are being gouged on, come to our office. Again, the resources are online, you can call. We have people who are ready and willing and able to help,” said Jones. 

The AG’s office said generally, price gouging occurs when the price of a good or service post-disaster “grossly exceeds” the cost of that same good or service ten days before any disaster. 

“It’s when someone might charge too much or use an opportunity like this to overcharge because of the demand for these products,” Jones told 8News. 

For information on how to file a price gouging complaint for any product or service excluding motor fuel, click here.

For information on how to file a price gouging complaint involving motor fuel, click here.