As more and more people look for at-home COVID-19 tests, North Carolina officials are asking the public to report any possible price gouging.
Attorney General Josh Stein asked those in the Tar Heel State to report pandemic-related price gouging to the North Carolina Department of Justice.
“Even as people continue to get vaccinated, we are still very much in this pandemic,” Stein said. “If you are shopping for COVID-19 tests or other pandemic-related goods and services in the coming weeks and see excessive prices, let my office know. I have already taken successful action against those who attempt to unlawfully take advantage of North Carolinians during this crisis, and I will not hesitate to in the future.”
North Carolina's price gouging statute, which prohibits charging too much for goods and services during a crisis, is in effect now and runs until April 5th.
To report price gouging in North Carolina, call 1-877-5-NO-SCAM or click here.
News 3 also reached out to Virginia Attorney General Mark Herring's office. In a statement, his office said that while it's investigating claims regarding the price of COVID-19 tests, a state of emergency has not been declared in the state and thus the cases are not being handled under the price gouging statute.
"Virginia is experiencing a surge in COVID-19 cases right now and Attorney General Herring believes that Virginians should not have to worry about paying exorbitant prices for COVID tests when folks are trying to keep themselves and their families safe and healthy," Charlotte Gomer, a spokesperson with Herring's office, told News 3.
