(The Center Square) – Relief is pouring into areas ravaged by Hurricane Helene, but some are only looking for “relief” for themselves.
Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti’s office told The Center Square on Wednesday it has received several reports of price gouging.
Eight men were arrested and charged with looting on Saturday night in Washington County, an area heavily damaged by the storm less than 48 hours before, the Washington County Sheriff’s Office said on its Facebook page.
Skrmetti warned consumers about the scams and also told thieves not to try them.
“While most Tennesseans are showing the best of the Volunteer spirit to our neighbors devastated by Helene, a few bad actors always slime out of the woodwork to take advantage of those in need,” the attorney general said. “Price gouging and scamming vulnerable people after disasters is not only repulsive, it’s illegal. My office will not hesitate to enforce Tennessee’s consumer protection laws against any bad actor attempting to rip off Tennesseans recovering from the storm.”
Tennessee law bans companies from “unreasonably” raising the prices of goods and services during natural disasters. The law cites everything from the cost of gasoline to medical supplies and housing.
Unlicensed contractors will also prey on homeowners, according to Skrmetti’s office. You can verify a license on the attorney general’s website.
Some scammers will pose as employees of the Federal Emergency Management Agency or charities, law enforcement officials said. One scam circulated through Washington and Cocke counties.
“If you are at a collection site or shelter and someone comes by stating they’re from FEMA and they need to pick up water or items, call us,” the sheriff’s offices said on their website. “This is a rumor that is false and nothing like that is going on.”
Skrmetti’s office has an online complaint form to report scams.
