Press Releases
03/19/2020
Attorney General Tong Seeks Information from Amazon Following Price Gouging Complaint
Attorney General William Tong today sent a letter to Amazon seeking information from the online retailer regarding efforts to detect and combat price gouging during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The letter follows a complaint from a Connecticut consumer who recently attempted to purchase two types of 3M face masks through Amazon. The consumer was charged nearly $400 in shipment fees for two small boxes of face masks with a retail value of under $100. The letter seeks information regarding the specific reported transaction, as well as procedures and practices being deployed by Amazon to prevent price gouging and protect consumers.
“Consumers, especially under current conditions, should not be charged unreasonable sums for such health-related products. With the size of its market share, Amazon plays a crucial role in deterring price gouging, and assisting law enforcement in bringing predatory sellers to account,” the letter states.
To date, the Office of the Attorney General has received 132 complaints regarding price hikes on basic supplies like hand sanitizer, disinfectant wipes and toilet paper since Gov. Ned Lamont declared civil preparedness and public health emergencies on March 10. In addition to today’s letter to Amazon, the Office of the Attorney General has sent letters as part of its aggressive investigations and law enforcement efforts to multiple Connecticut retailers both large and small in response to consumer price gouging complaints.
As states across the country continue with efforts to address the COVID-19 outbreak, many states like Connecticut have declared a state of emergency.
These declarations have triggered price gouging statutes which are designed to protect consumers from unscrupulous retailers seeking to profit from this public emergency.
Anyone who suspects price gouging should file a complaint with the Office of the Attorney General online at https://www.dir.ct.gov/ag/complaint/.
To read a full copy of the Office of the Attorney General’s letter to Amazon, click here.
- Twitter: @AGWilliamTong
- Facebook: CT Attorney General
Media Contact:
Elizabeth Benton
elizabeth.benton@ct.gov
860-808-5324 (office)
860-214-0937 (cell)
Consumer Inquiries:
860-808-5318
attorney.general@ct.gov