Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel is warning Michigan residents to be cautious of businesses that may be engaging of price-gouging and to report them to her office immediately.
Nessel said that businesses selling face masks, hand sanitizers and cleaning supplies at exceptionally high prices are likely in violation of the Michigan Consumer Protection Act. A business may be in violation of the act if they are charging consumers a price that is “grossly in excess” of the normal price or “causing coercion and duress” during the sales presentation, according to Nessel.
“Supply and demand might be a familiar saying for retailers, but price-gouging is against the law and protecting consumers against unfair business practices is a service my office provides to residents,” Nessel said in a statement on Thursday. “My Consumer Protection team reviews all complaints we receive and determines whether appropriate legal action should be taken.”
The attorney general’s office has already contacted a west Michigan retailer for allegedly selling individual face masks at high prices.
Michigan had its first two cases of the coronavirus, also called COVID-19, confirmed on Wednesday. As of Thursday, the United States currently has confirmed more than 1,200 cases of the virus, as well as 36 deaths, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The potentially fatal respiratory infection is marked by symptoms of fever, cough and shortness of breath
“I encourage any consumer who believes they may be a victim of price-gouging to file a report with my office so that we can follow up on those concerns to hold accountable the people who are illegally profiting off of Michiganders’ fears and take legal action if necessary,” Nessel said.
Nessel said that Michigan residents who believe a business is in violation of the Consumer Protection Act are encouraged to report the claim online or call 877-765-8388.
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Jordyn Pair is a reporter with Battleground State News and The Michigan Star. Follow her on Twitter at @JordynPair. Email her at [email protected].
Photo “Dana Nessel” by Dana Nessel.
