A Katonah gas station was one of three in Westchester notified by state Attorney General Eric Schneiderman for allegedly price gouging following Superstorm Sandy.
A consumer reported the Mobil on Katonah Avenue as selling gas at $4.79 per gallon in the days following the storm, according to the attorney general's office. Eleven additional stations in New York City and Long Island were also cited.
Schneiderman said his office will start enforcement proceedings against them for violations of the New York State Price Gouging statute in the wake of Sandy. These are the latest notices to be handed out, following letters sent to 13 gas stations earlier this month, including one in Harrison and one in White Plains—bringing the total number of targeted retailers so far to 25.
"Our office will continue to take enforcement actions against price gougers because ripping off New Yorkers is against the law," Attorney General Schneiderman said. "We are actively investigating the hundreds of complaints we've received from consumers of businesses preying on victims of Hurricane Sandy. There must be no tolerance for unscrupulous individuals who take advantage of New Yorkers trying to rebuild their lives."
The Attorney General said there will be other notifications coming as the investigation into consumer complaints continues.
Among the accused stations is a Mobil station in the Bronx where a consumer waiting in line for over an hour was just three cars from the pump when she was told that she would be charged $50 for five gallons of gasoline—$10 per gallon—compared to nearby stations charging $3.95 a gallon.
The investigations are based upon a review of both consumer complaints and independently-gathered pricing information, Schneiderman said.
If you believe you are a victim of price gouging or a post-hurricane scam contact the Attorney General’s Consumer Helpline at 800-771-7755 or find a complaint form online at: www.ag.ny.gov
Related stories:
Inspectors Checking for Price Gouging at Gas Stations
NY State Probes Post-Hurricane Sandy Gas Price-Gouging Complaints
Westchester Gas Price Gouging Accusations After Sandy
Gasoline Price Gouging? Tell Patch
