CoronavirusLocalMichiganNews

Michigan AG: Reports of price gouging in nearing 2,000 mark

FILE - In this March 18, 2019, file photo, Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel attends an event for Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, D-N.Y., in Clawson, Mich. Nessel says she will move next month to decommission a Great Lakes oil pipeline if Gov. Gretchen Whitmer cannot resolve the issue with operator Enbridge. The Democrat spoke on Wednesday, May 29, 2019 at the Detroit Regional Chamber's policy conference on Mackinac Island, near where where Line 5 runs under the Straits of Mackinac. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya File)

As reports of price-gouging related to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) near 2,000, the Michigan Department of Attorney General has sent a cease and desist letter to a health care industry supplier for marketing face masks at exceptionally high prices.  

Attorney General Dana Nessel sent the letter to DiaMedical USA Equipment Inc., based in Bloomfield Hills, after receiving a consumer complaint that the company is attempting to sell 10-packs of face masks through its website for nearly $100 each. Similar model masks are sold at between $1.50 to $2.40 per mask. 

“Price-gouging has no place in our health care industry, especially during times of a public health crisis,” Nessel said. “Hospitals, doctors, nurses and other medical professionals depend on this equipment to perform their jobs and take care of people who are sick, and lives should not be put in jeopardy because businesses want higher profits.” 

As of 7 a.m. on Friday, March 27, the Attorney General’s office had received 1,885 complaints of price-gouging related to COVID-19. That includes 811 complaints submitted online through the Attorney General’s website, and 1,074 received through the Consumer Protection tip line.  

While price-gouging complaints continue to be filed, investigators at the Attorney General’s office have noticed positive shifts in the market, in part due to the efforts of consumers, who have helped police the market by shaming gougers on social media and by sharing their experiences and receipts with the Attorney General’s office. There have been recent instances in which investigators visited stores and found that, if there had been elevated prices, the situation had been corrected.  

Consumers can file a complaint online or by calling the Consumer Protection tip line, 877-765-8388. Hours of operation are between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.   

Related posts

Law enforcement officers work together to enforce distracted-driving laws

Alyssa Foster

Purdue professor predicts car import drop due to Baltimore bridge collapse

Network Indiana

Local News podcast for Thursday, March 28, 2024

Jon Zimney

Leave a Comment