price gouging laws

Price gouging laws prevent businesses from dramatically increasing prices on essential goods—like food, water, fuel, or medicine—during emergencies such as natural disasters or crises. These laws aim to protect consumers from being exploited when demand is high and supplies are limited. Typically, they set limits on how much prices can increase, often based on pre-disaster prices, and vary by jurisdiction. Violating these laws can result in fines or legal action. The goal is to ensure fair pricing and prevent exploitation while allowing businesses to recover necessary costs.