Attorney General Gurbir Grewal says the state's consumer affairs division has issued 514 "cease-and-desist" letters, as well as 89 subpoenas to businesses reported by consumers to have engaged in price gouging or other consumer protection violations related to the COVID-19 pandemic.

 

According to the attorney general, the division has logged almost 3,000 complaints against around 1,800 business locations.

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Open cases include stores in New Jersey, companies outside the state accused of raising prices for New Jersey consumers, and online sellers located in state.

 

Most of the complaints involve price increases on items such as surgical masks, disinfectants, hand sanitizers, food and bottled water.

The state’s price-gouging law took effect on March 9, and prohibits excessive price increases during a declared state of emergency, and for 30 days after its termination.

Price-gouging violations are punishable by civil penalties of up to $10,000 for the first violation and $20,000 for the second and subsequent violations.