The Better Business Bureau is finding an increase in price gouging during the public health crisis... and the trend is happening locally. 

The president of the Central New England Better Business Bureau says price gouging was very uncommon before the coronavirus, but instances are increasing. It’s when sellers take advantage of an increased demand for certain products. The BBB says it is seeing this with paper products like toilet paper, as well as hand sanitizer and bottled water.

CNE BBB president Nancy Cahalen says, “10 times the regular price is certainly what I would consider price gouging. Now that needs to be reported. You can report it to us and will pass that information along to the proper government authorities and will follow up as well with the business.

Cahalen says price gouging for these products is not usually illegal in the state, but is in violation of an emergency regulation put out by the attorney general during the pandemic.