WBRZ - Baton Rouge

Louisiana Attorney General Buddy Caldwell announced that price gouging laws are now in effect following Governor Bobby Jindal’s declaration of a state of emergency due to the oil spill along the Louisiana coast.

Price gouging occurs when a seller prices merchandise much higher than is reasonable or fair.

Louisiana’s price gouging statues ban raising prices above the pre-emergency levels unless there is a national or regional product shortage. This means that gasoline, petroleum products, hotels, motels, and retailers are prohibited from raising prices during this state of emergency unless there is a spike in the price of doing business.

The price gouging laws carry both civil and criminal penalties.

If you suspect price gouging, please contact the Louisiana Attorney General’s Office at 1-800-351-4889.