Tag:price gouging
Eggflation: The Rising Cost of Eggs and Its Impact on Consumers
Egg prices are soaring, but is it just supply issues—or something more? While avian flu and regulations have strained production, major suppliers are raking in record profits, raising suspicions of price manipulation. A federal jury recently found top producers guilty of price-fixing, fueling concerns that consumers are being taken advantage of. As grocery bills climb, the question remains: who’s really cracking under pressure?
Will California’s Anti-Price-Gouging Measures be Effective in the Wake of Wildfires?
In response to the January 2025 wildfires that have burned through Los Angeles County (L.A. County), California Governor Gavin Newsom issued numerous executive orders including Executive Order N-9-25, which extended renter protections against price gouging on hotel and motel rates, as well as rental housing prices across the county. Around 12,000 homes and buildings have been destroyed in the fires, leaving behind a worsening shortage of affordable housing for Los Angeles residents. To make matters worse, as the housing supply in L.A. County has suffered, there have been reports of price gouging on rent and housing costs by landlords and property owners. California law protects residents from price gouging following a natural disaster through a 10% cap on price increases. Thus, tenants’ rights advocates have called for strict enforcement against those who impose excessive price increases in violation of this regulation.
Hurricane Harvey Aftermath Leaves Opportunity for Financial Fraud
On August 30, 2017, Trump signed Proclamation 9632 declaring September 2017 as National Preparedness Month, encouraging “all Americans… take action to be prepared for disaster or emergency by making and practicing their plans,” also citing that fewer than half of American families report having an emergency response plan. While it is important to have a disaster plan in place for your family to take care of their physical needs, it is also vital to be prepared for the possibility of scams and fraudulent activity in the wake of a natural disaster such as Hurricane Harvey.