CHARLOTTE, N.C. — With gas prices still hovering around $4 a gallon in the Charlotte area, many people are seeing a wide range in prices and wondering what is considered price gouging.
A WCNC Charlotte viewer shared a photo from a gas station in Indian Trail that was selling gas for $4.59, claiming it was price gouging. It's one of several messages WCNC Charlotte's received about gouging after prices hit record highs earlier this month.
The VERIFY team looked into these claims and went to North Carolina officials about fair prices for gas in the state and to learn more about the process for reporting price gouging.
THE QUESTION
Has North Carolina seen a rise in price gouging complaints ever since gas prices hit record highs?
THE SOURCES
THE ANSWER
Yes, North Carolina has seen a rise in price gouging complaints ever since gas prices hit record highs.
WHAT WE FOUND
Back in March of 2020, Cooper signed an executive order to put North Carolina under a state of emergency in response to the pandemic.
Attorney General Stein said that triggered the price gouging law to go into effect. Because that executive order is still in place, the price gouging law is active as well.
According to Stein's office, price gouging is defined as taking advantage of a crisis to overcharge customers for a product.
The AG’s office saw 136 price gouging complaints in March. For comparison, in February, the office saw 65 complaints total. In January, that number was 91. In March, 100 of the 136 complaints were gas-related. The highest complaint referenced gas at $5.87 per gallon.
Stein said if you believe prices are too high at a station, report it to his office.
"When folks file a complaint with our office we can do an investigation to see if it's a legitimate price increase or is it price gouging," Stein said.
Contact Meghan Bragg at mbragg@wcnc.com and follow her on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
VERIFY is dedicated to helping the public distinguish between true and false information. The VERIFY team, with help from questions submitted by the audience, tracks the spread of stories or claims that need clarification or correction. Have something you want VERIFIED? Text us at 704-329-3600 or visit /verify.