The Attorney General’s Office is warning Missourians of people taking advantage of the drought and overcharging for related projects.
Chris Koster says his office was contacted by Governor Jay Nixon about reports of possible price gouging in Northwest Missouri by well drillers. Koster says residents statewide should be on guard.
“Every corner of this state is under drought conditions and the Governor has issued a State of Emergency that is statewide. Suspicion of price gouging should be reported to the Attorney General’s Office … sometimes it’s going to have to do with people who are drilling water wells, but it can also deal with whether a repairman is willing to fix the air conditioning system of a senior citizen. You can imagine him quadrupling his price and the senior citizen’s hands are absolutely tied.”
Koster urges Missourians to report cases of suspected gouging. “If the Attorney General’s Office receives a complaint we’re going to jump on it and investigate it very quickly.
His office’s Consumer Protection Hotline is (800) 392-8222, and consumer complaints can also be filed online at ago.mo.gov.
AUDIO: Mike Lear interviews Chris Koster, 4:32