Attorney General Chris Carr is warning consumers to be on the lookout for scams and possible price gouging as Hurricane Dorian approaches Georgia’s coastline.  Governor Brian Kemp enacted a State of Emergency for Brantley, Bryan, Camden, Charlton, Chatham, Effingham, Glynn, Liberty, Long, McIntosh, Pierce and Wayne counties. The State of Emergency will be valid for a period of eleven days, beginning on August 29, 2019 and ending at 11:59 p.m. on September 9, 2019.

“Unfortunately, con artists often exploit disasters by taking advantage of storm victims or preying on the sympathies of those who want to help out,” said Attorney General Carr. “The Office of the Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division is authorized to investigate scams and price gouging. Under Georgia law, penalties for this type of conduct can range from $2,000 to $15,000 per violation. We strongly urge scammers and price gougers to think twice before trying to take advantage of consumers who are fleeing the storm’s path or attempting to rebuild their lives in this storm’s aftermath in Georgia.”

If you think you may have been the victim of a scam or price gouging, please contact the Office of the Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division at 404-651-8600 within the metro Atlanta area or at 1-800-869-1123 toll-free outside of the metro Atlanta calling area. Telephone counselors are available between 8:30am-5:00pm Monday-Thursday, and 8:30am-4:00pm on Friday. In addition, you can find more resources on the Consumer Protection Division’s website.