After Hurricane Milton made landfall, price gauging is an issue | What can you do about it?

When major storms strike, the price of gas, hotels and other vital goods can rise.

One reason is the increased demand. But when businesses jack up prices beyond what's reasonable, that can be price gouging.

"Price gouging is going to happen and that's where it takes the consumers reporting it," Collins said. "But also the state investigators actually having time to look into it to make sure it is price gouging because unfortunately prices do go up during and after a storm."

Thomas Slaton and two of his children left their St. Petersburg, Florida home in a hurry Wednesday. He said they were in search of a place to stay after their home flooded from Hurricane Milton.

"After we crossed the Georgia line, we were stopping off at exits trying to find a room, no room,” he said. “Everybody was telling us the closest place would be Atlanta."

He said when he found an open hotel room in Warner Robins the staff told him it would be more than their usual $80 per night rate.

"I don't have a choice,” Slaton said. “I have to have a place. So, I got the place for two nights and they charged me $315 which was double the rate, basically."

READ MORE: https://www.13wmaz.com/article/money/better-business-bureau-on-how-to-spot-and-avoid-price-gouging/93-95257be0-2a73-478a-8c26-d886d7e3fd33

Видео After Hurricane Milton made landfall, price gauging is an issue | What can you do about it? канала 13WMAZ