Profiteering from a Disaster Illegal
District Attorney
Nola Tedesco Foulston is reminding consumers that it is against Kansas law for
businesses to "profiteer
from a disaster."
"Profiteer
from a disaster"
means unjustifiably increasing, during a period of disaster, the price at
which any necessary property or service is offered for sale to consumers. If a
business increases the price of necessary property or service by 25% or more
during or after a disaster, it is considered prima facie evidence that the
increase is in gross excess and in violation of Kansas law.
Power outage caused
by the severe winter storms over the past week is considered a disaster. As a
result of this disaster, several Sedgwick County residents and their families
are or were without power for an extended period of time, prompting many
consumers in Sedgwick County to seek temporary lodging in local hotels or
motels.
The District
Attorney's
Office has received information regarding possible rate increases for lodging
during this disaster. If you
believe that you were the victim of such price hikes for lodging or any other
product or service as a result of the winter storm during the past week,
please contact the Consumer Fraud and Economic Crime Division of The District
Attorney's
Office at 383-7281.
For
additional information on protecting yourself from these or other crimes go to
the District Attorney's
website at http://www.sedgwickcounty.org/da
for helpful links.
