The Antelope Valley Times

Your community. Your issues. Your news.

  • Home
  • Latest News
  • Local
    • Palmdale
    • Lancaster
    • Los Angeles County
    • Littlerock
    • Lake Los Angeles
    • Rosamond
    • Edwards AFB
    • Acton
  • Crime
  • Politics
  • Education
  • Health
  • Business
  • Opinion
    • Advertise
    • About
    • Contact Us
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    Show Search

L.A. County expands consumer protections against fraud, price gouging

by The AV Times Staff • March 31, 2020

LOS ANGELES – Citing more than 1,000 complaints about phony cures or inflated prices for essential goods during the coronavirus crisis, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors Tuesday expanded consumer protections.

Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas recommended giving the Department of Consumer and Business Affairs subpoena power to investigate cases.

“It is imperative that the county take all reasonable and necessary steps to protect consumers from price gouging during this emergency,” Ridley-Thomas said. “It is unconscionable for anyone to force people to pay more than they should for supplies that they need, particularly during a pandemic.”

The existing county ordinance makes it illegal to raise prices of consumer goods by more than 10 percent for 30 days following an emergency declaration — which the county made on March 4.

The board’s action provides for repeated extensions of the prohibitions on price gouging for as long as the emergency lasts.

The director of the Department of Consumer and Business Affairs said there are more than 200 cases under investigation, but the department is challenged by the volume of complaints and the fact that goods are often sold out before an inquiry can begin.

“With coronavirus, the Department of Consumer and Business Affairs is on the front line in the fight against price gouging, especially when it comes to essentials like hand sanitizer, canned food, rice, toilet paper, medicine and other items,” DCBA Director Joseph Nicchitta said.

Supervisor Kathryn Barger said the county wasn’t immune to swindlers and those seeking to exploit the crisis, sharing stories of people calling and offering to sell the county respirators and masks.

“If we’re getting them, I can only imagine what people that are out there just desperate to find something are getting hit with,” Barger said.

Nicchitta said his department was also warning other county agencies and departments about diligently vetting potential vendors and deals.

Residents are urged to submit complaints online at dcba.lacounty.gov or by calling 800-593-8222.

Previous related story: L.A. County urges consumers to report price gouging

–

Filed Under: Business, Home, Los Angeles County

Recent Comments

  • Beecee on Dozens of missing kids recovered in joint L.A. County-based operation: “Reeeeeeeeeeeeeee” Jan 27, 09:50
  • Stinger on California lifts stay-at-home orders: “YOU are part of the greatest crime against humanity, Anne. Your continued lying to please your orange baboon traitor has…” Jan 27, 09:34
  • Stinger on Dozens of missing kids recovered in joint L.A. County-based operation: “Lying IS BeeEss’ lane. That is all that she does. You will never find any cogent (or even rational) responses…” Jan 27, 09:21
  • Beecee, really? on Dozens of missing kids recovered in joint L.A. County-based operation: “Oh please, Epstein is dead because Trump’s family did not want all his dirt out and about. It’s despicable that…” Jan 27, 08:07
  • Duh! on California lifts stay-at-home orders: “What good is your business to you if you are dead or you find yourself with months or recovery ahead…” Jan 27, 08:03

© 2021 · The Antelope Valley Times. All rights reserved. Terms of Use