How To Report Price Gouging In New York State

We are less than a week from the Total Eclipse and with parts of New York State on the path of "Totality," an influx of visitors is expected.

In Western New York, officials are planning on an additional 500,000 to a million visitors while other towns and cities across the state are expecting thousands of visitors.

READ MORE: TOTAL ECLIPSE WEATHER UPDATE

This is when some businesses might want to take advantage of those visitors and charge more than normal for goods and services.

With many areas declaring a "State of Emergy," there are state laws against price gouging.

New York State law prohibits businesses from taking unfair advantage of consumers by selling goods or services that are vital to health, safety, or welfare for an unconscionably excessive price during emergencies

READ MORE: NEW YORK EYE DOCTOR WARNS NOT TO DO THIS DURING ECLIPSE

The price gouging statute covers New York state vendors, retailers, and suppliers. These goods and services include food, water, gasoline, generators, batteries, flashlights, hotel lodging, and transportation options.

If you think that a business has increased the price of goods or services during the Eclipse to an abnormal price you can report it.

You can call the New York State consumer hotline toll-free at 1-800-697-1220. This line is available seven days a week from 8:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. for consumers who think that have been a victim of price gouging. You can also file a complaint online HERE.

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Check out the latest Eclipse information update from New York State.