$94 for hand sanitizer? Tips for dealing with coronavirus scammers.
NC Attorney General Josh Stein said Thursday his office is investigating 173 reports of price gouging during the state’s coronavirus breakout, including a salesman offering hand sanitizer for $94 a bottle.
Roughly half the complaints have come against grocery stores, Stein said, dealing especially with cleaning products.
Senior citizens are also being plagued by robocalls offering miracle cures and vaccines that do not exist, he said.
“These are snake oil salesmen,” Stein said in a video conference. “There’s no scenario that I can imagine that that’s a proper transaction.”
Some price increases are legitimate while retailers and grocers work to restock their shelves in a time of panic and heavy demand, Stein said. State law prohibits “unreasonably excessive” charges, which his office will investigate one at a time.
Consumers can report suspected scams at 1-877-5-NO-SCAM or ncdoj.gov/complaint. Complaints about price gouging can be filed online: ncdoj.gov/file-a-complaint/price-gouging.
The penalty for price gouging can include restitution and a $5,000 fine per violation.
Federal law enforcement is also on the lookout for coronavirus-related scams. U.S. Attorney Andrew Murray released a warning Thursday morning from his Charlotte office urging the public to be vigilant.
“I encourage everyone to be on heightened alert about potential scams related to COVID-19,” Murray said. “At the request of the United States Attorney General, I have directed federal prosecutors in my office to prioritize the detection, investigation and prosecution of criminal conduct related to COVID-19. We will not allow scammers to profit from this outbreak.”
Complaints regarding scams can be filed with the FBI online: www.ic3.gov
Murray’s office warned to beware of emails or phishing attempts from entities claiming to be from the World Health Organization (WHO) or the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). He also warned of online offers for test kits and vaccinations as well as individuals and businesses offering fake COVID-19 cures.
The attorney general’s office has reached seven settlements with companies accused of price gouging during Hurricane Florence and Tropical Storm Michael, Stein said, estimating the total restitution and debt forgiveness at nearly $750,000. In 2019, a judge in Wake County shut down a Florida company that charged $37,000 to clear three trees.
Stein offered these tips for combating scammers on the front end, which is easier than trying to recover lost money:
▪ Be suspicious. If a deal sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
▪ Do not pay someone just because they call or send an email demanding money, especially those who say testing for the virus is mandatory. Check with an established authority such as the CDC or NC Department of Health and Human Services.
▪ Give to established or familiar charities. Don’t be tempted by offers from an unknown group with a good-sounding name.
▪ Warn senior citizens that scammers will operate in times of panic. Check on elderly neighbors more often than usual.
“If you’re feeling unstable and uncertain,” Stein said, “you’re not alone.
This story was originally published March 19, 2020 at 12:04 PM.