BALTIMORE — Maryland Attorney General Brian Frosh says his office has issued more than 100 warnings to businesses accused of price gouging during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Frosh met with the General Assembly’s Joint COVID-19 Response Legislative Workgroup on Wednesday, reporting that his office has received hundreds of complaints of price gouging.
Last month a new state law took effect, targeting businesses who profit more than 10 percent on essential items such as food, water, medication, masks, toilet paper, sanitizer, and other disinfectants.
Violators could face civil fines up to $10,000 and even be charged criminally.
Frosh's office says they're trying to give accused businesses the chance to comply before taking legal action. So far, nearly all of them have responded back, according to the Attorney General.
The Attorney General also reported an uptick in scammers taking advantage of the pandemic by targeting recipients of federal stimulus and tax return payments.
If you believe you're a victim of a scam, you can call the Attorney General's Consumer Protection Division at 410-528- 8662. For complaints on price gouging a hotline is available at 410-528-8662.
