South Carolina price gouging law in effect

COLUMBIA, S.C. (WCBD)- South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson announced Thursday that the state’s price gouging law is in effect following Gov. Henry McMaster’s emergency declaration ahead of Hurricane Helene’s arrival.

Helene is expected to become a major hurricane before making landfall Thursday night on Florida’s northwestern coast, according to WFLA.

It is then expected to weaken as it moves into Georgia and the Carolinas, but it will still bring damaging winds and heavy rain to Upstate South Carolina and western North Carolina.

Much of the state is under a tornado watch as of Thursday morning. There is an elevated risk of tornadoes, particularly overnight on Thursday into Friday morning across the state.

“With the possibility that Hurricane Helen could affect South Carolina after making landfall in Florida, we all need to be prepared,” Wilson said.

Per South Carolina law, it is unlawful to “rent or sell or offer to rent or sell a commodity at an unconscionable price” during times of disaster. The price gouging law remains in effect until the state of emergency expires or is terminated.

Normal fluctuation in the prices is expected and is not considered price gouging.

“But, we may see businesses and individuals looking to unfairly take advantage of the situation through price gouging of food, gasoline, lodging, and other commodities as defined by the statute,” Wilson added. “By our law, that’s a criminal violation and an unfair trade practice.”

Violators can be charged for excessive pricing, a misdemeanor offense punishable by a $1,000 fine, or up to 30 days in jail.

If you see or experience what you believe to be price gouging, the attorney general’s office recommends you take the following steps to report it:

• Note the time, place, address, and name of the gas station or business
• Note the price you paid
• Note any prices nearby and get the same information on those stations or businesses
• Take pictures that identify the business, along with the price
• Provide your name and contact information

Information should be emailed to the AG’s Office at pricegouging@scag.gov, submitted online , or by calling 803-737-3953.

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