Quick answer
Report price gouging to your state Attorney General during emergencies. All 50 states have price gouging laws—file complaints online or call your state consumer protection office.
How to Report Price Gouging: Stop Illegal Price Increases in Your State
Quick answer: Report price gouging to your state attorney general, who enforces price-gouging laws. Most states ban excessive price increases on essentials during a declared emergency. Document the inflated price with photos and receipts, then file online or by phone with the AG’s consumer protection office.
When prices on essentials spike during emergencies — fuel, water, food, hotels, generators — it may be illegal price gouging. Enforcement is mostly at the state level and tied to declared emergencies. This guide explains what qualifies and how to file an effective complaint.
What Counts as Price Gouging
Price-gouging laws typically apply after a declared state of emergency (a hurricane, wildfire, pandemic, or other disaster) and cover essential goods and services — food, water, fuel, lodging, ice, generators, medical supplies, and home repairs. Many states define gouging as an increase above a set percentage (often 10–25%) over the pre-emergency price, unless justified by higher costs to the seller.
Not every price increase is illegal. Normal supply-and-demand pricing outside an emergency, or increases that reflect a seller’s own higher costs, generally aren’t gouging. The key triggers are an active emergency declaration and an excessive markup on essentials.
Who Enforces It
State attorneys general are the primary enforcers, and most have a dedicated price-gouging complaint form that activates during emergencies. The FTC may get involved in large-scale or cross-state cases, and some states empower local consumer-protection offices as well. Penalties can include refunds, fines, and injunctions.
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Get Your Free Checklist →Where to Report Price Gouging
| Situation | Agency | Contact |
|---|---|---|
| Price gouging on essentials | State attorney general | Search “[your state] price gouging complaint” |
| During a federal disaster | FTC | reportfraud.ftc.gov |
| Fuel price gouging | State AG energy/consumer division | State AG hotline |
| Local enforcement | County/city consumer affairs | Local consumer protection office |
| National disaster fraud | NCDF | 1-866-720-5721 | justice.gov/disaster-fraud |
How to Report Price Gouging Step by Step
- Confirm an emergency is declared. Price-gouging laws usually apply only during an active state or federal emergency declaration. Check whether one is in effect for your area.
- Document the price. Photograph the price tag, shelf, or menu, and keep receipts. If possible, note the normal pre-emergency price for comparison.
- Record the details. The business name and address, date and time, the item, the inflated price, and the usual price. Screenshots of online listings also work.
- File with your state attorney general. Use the AG’s price-gouging or consumer-complaint form, which is often highlighted on their site during emergencies. Attach your photos and receipts.
- Report federal-disaster gouging. During a federally declared disaster, you can also report to the National Center for Disaster Fraud at 1-866-720-5721 and the FTC.
- Check local options. Some cities and counties have their own consumer-affairs offices that act faster on local complaints.
- Keep your evidence. Save copies of everything you submit and any reference number you receive.
- Spread the word carefully. Posting verified examples can prompt others to report the same business, strengthening the AG’s case.
Frequently Asked Questions
What qualifies as illegal price gouging?
Typically an excessive price increase on essential goods or services during a declared emergency — often more than 10–25% over the pre-emergency price, depending on the state, and not justified by the seller’s own higher costs.
Who do I report price gouging to?
Your state attorney general is the main enforcer and usually has a dedicated complaint form during emergencies. For federally declared disasters, also report to the National Center for Disaster Fraud and the FTC.
Is price gouging always illegal?
No. Most laws only apply during a declared emergency and only to essential items. Normal price changes from supply and demand, or increases reflecting a seller’s higher costs, generally aren’t illegal.
What evidence do I need?
Photos of the price, receipts, the business name and address, the date, and ideally the normal pre-emergency price for comparison. The more concrete the documentation, the stronger your complaint.
What penalties do price gougers face?
Depending on the state, violators can face refunds to consumers, civil fines (often thousands of dollars per violation), and court injunctions stopping the conduct.
For related guides see: How to Report False Advertising, How to Report an Online Scam, How to Complain About a Car Repair Shop.
Independent resource — not affiliated with any U.S. government agency. Last reviewed: June 2026.
Need the right agency in your state?
Rules and complaint offices vary by state. Use our state lookup to find the correct reporting agency, phone number, and complaint portal.
Find reporting agencies by state →What happens next
- Most agencies send an acknowledgment or reference number — save it with your copies.
- Investigations vary by agency; complex cases can take weeks or months.
- If you do not hear back within the timeframe listed on the agency site, follow up in writing.
- Keep reporting to additional agencies if your issue crosses categories (for example, fraud plus billing).