The Galveston County Emergency Operations Center wishes for everyone to be aware -- price gouging is illegal!

The Texas Deceptive Trade Practices-Consumer Protection Act provides that it is a false, misleading, or deceptive act or practice to take advantage of a disaster declared by the Governor by:

• selling or leasing fuel, food, medicine, or another necessity at an exorbitant or excess price, or
• demanding an exorbitant or excessive price in connection with the sale or lease of fuel, food, medicine or another necessity

The Governor has declared a disaster due to Hurricane Ike.

If you suspect a business is price gouging, call the Texas Attorney General's Consumer Protection Hotline, toll-free, at 1-800-252-8011, or email the Attorney General at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .

As well, county and district attorney's are authorized to work with the Attorney General to enforce and prosecute such violations.  Therefore, upon reopening of Galveston County facilities, you also may report violations to the Galveston County Criminal District Attorney's Office at (409) 766-2355.

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