A collective of federal agencies issued a warning as Hurricane Milton neared Florida’s western coast that any business or individual caught engaging in scams and price gouging would face the full force of the law.
In an Oct. 9 statement, the Justice Department (DOJ), the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) warned consumers to be on high alert for possible bad actors during natural disasters.
United States Attorney Ronald Gathe Jr. for the Middle District of Louisiana said severe weather events often bring out opportunistic scammers.
“Wrongdoers are looking to exploit opportunities and victims of natural disasters for their own personal gain,” he said….