Report Any Price Gouging Over Coronavirus To Oregon Officials

Bend, Ore. – Officials are on the look out for price gouging in Oregon over the Coronavirus Outbreak, and want you to report it. If you’ve seen it or were a victim you should call the DOJ’s Consumer Protection hotline: 1-877-877-9392. If price gouging is discovered in the state, Governor Kate Brown and District Attorneys may take action to shut it down.

Read more from the Deschutes County DA’s Office:

Oregon law authorizes district attorneys to take action to restrain a person from engaging in the unlawful trade practice of price gouging consumer goods essential to prevent the spread of COVID-19.  Before a district attorney can do so the Governor must declare an “abnormal disruption of the market” (pursuant to ORS 401.965(5)).

Deschutes County District Attorney John Hummel was in touch today with the Governor’s office and was informed that she is still monitoring the market to determine if an “abnormal disruption of the market” is occurring.  This this end, the Governor has encouraged all consumers who believe they have experienced excessive pricing to call the DOJ’s Consumer Protection hotline at 1-877-877-9392.  The DOJ will monitor this line in real time and will reach out to the Governor if she believes excessive pricing is occurring, so the Governor can act to make the necessary “abnormal disruption of the market” declaration.

Statement from District Attorney Hummel:

“I encourage anyone who experiences excessive pricing of goods related to COVID-19 to immediately call the DOJ’s Consumer Protection hotline at 1-877-877-9392.  If the Governor determines an ‘abnormal disruption of the market’ exists in Deschutes County, and makes such a declaration, I will have a zero tolerance policy toward offenders.  If you’re putting our community at risk in order to make a buck during a time of crisis, in addition to rotting in hell, you’ll face the full weight of the legal power granted to me by the people of Oregon.”