Representatives from Arkansas Attorney General Leslie Rutledge’s office will be at the Baxter County Courthouse Thursday morning from 10:30 to 11:30 at Baxter County Clerks Office. As part of the mobile offices campaign, they will be visiting counties damaged by recent severe weather.
Staff will be available to talk to local residents, encouraging them to beware of con artists and price gouging following the recent storms and flooding.
Other meetings will be in Newton County Thursday afternoon, May 11, from 2 to 3 at the Jasper City Hall and in Boone County Friday morning, May 12, from 11 to noon at the Boone County Courthouse in Harrison.
Rutledge says con artists are already seeking to take advantage of those who have had damage to their home or business. She says as the clean-up process continues, she urges all Arkansans to use caution and to call her office if they suspect any type of fraud or price gouging.
Governor Asa Hutchinson has declared a State of Emergency for Arkansas in response to the severe storms and flooding throughout the state and Act 376 of 1997, which prohibits businesses from price gouging during a declared State of Emergency, is now in effect.
The law prohibits businesses from charging more than 10 percent above the pre-disaster price of goods or services, such as food, fuel, water, flashlights, batteries, blankets, medicine, bandages and construction materials. The price gouging law is triggered whenever a State of Emergency is declared by federal, state or local governments. The ban on price gouging remains in effect for at least 30 days and can be extended another 30 days by the local governing body if necessary to protect the lives, property or welfare of the citizens. For home repairs, the law remains in effect for 180 days.
A violation of Act 376 is a violation of the Deceptive Trade Practices Act.
Arkansans who believe they have encountered a disaster scam or price gouging should contact the Attorney Generals office at (800) 482-8982 or file a consumer complaint at https://arkansasag.gov/ .
As the Attorney Generals office visits damaged areas, constituents can receive assistance with consumer-related issues and file consumer complaints. Staff will also be available at mobile offices to answer questions about the offices services and provide other consumer protection resources to constituents.
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