Attorney General Rob Bonta issued a stern warning against price gouging, looting, and scams targeting victims of the devastating Palisades Fire in Los Angeles.
The devastation of the Palisades Fire is seen in the early morning in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles, Friday, Jan. 10, 2025. Attorney General Rob Bonta held a news conference in Los Angeles on Saturday, Jan. 11 to warn against price gouging, looting and scammers who target wildfire victims.
“Unfortunately, we’ve seen before in emergencies like this, in addition to bringing out the best in so many, also bring out bad actors, who seek to use the trauma, the chaos, of moments like this for their own gains,” he said. Bonta warned against price gouging for emergency supplies such as water, gas, batteries and first-aid as well as housing, hotels and short-term rentals. Business are prohibited by California law from raising prices of goods and services more than 10% during states of emergencies. For products not sold before the emergency, the price cannot exceed 50% of the cost. Offenders face up to a year in prison and up to $10,000 in fines. “We are talking about people who have lost loved ones, whose homes have been lost, who have lost treasured belongings, whose lives have been turned upside down,” Bonta said. “The last thing they need is for someone to victimize them again, exploit them, and take advantage of them.” He also warned against various scams disguised as legitimate charities and non-profits falsely claiming to be collecting funds for victims, as well as schemes using similar-sounding names. He cited “the American Red Cross of California,” a now defunct non-profit shut down by the Department of Justice in 2019. People looking to donate can check for verified organizations on the website. Scam artists also impersonate contractors, insurance adjusters, government officials and other authorities demanding fees and payments for various services. He urged people to be suspicious of requests for up-front payment and to thoroughly check credentials. Bonta also addressed the reports of looting in fire-ravaged and evacuated areas. More than 20 people have been arrested on suspicion of looting, Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna said Saturday. “To take advantage of the people who have been forced to evacuate … is unimaginable,” Bonta said. “It’s illegal, it’s also dangerous, and interferes with our first responders who are doing important work and can divert critical and limited resources.” As more evacuation warnings and orders continue to be issued, Bonta urged people to be prepared ahead of time. When mandatory orders are put in place, people should leave immediately. In addition, Bonta said that immigrants, regardless of immigration status, are welcome in shelters
CRIMINAL JUSTICE NATURAL DISASTERS WILDFIRES PRICE GOUGING SCAM
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
California Attorney General Warns Against Price Gouging Amid WildfiresAs wildfires ravage Los Angeles County, California Attorney General Rob Bonta issued a warning against price gouging, reminding residents that it is illegal during a state of emergency. Bonta emphasized the protection offered by California's price gouging law, which limits price increases on essential goods and services during emergencies.
Read more »
Meta urges California attorney general to stop OpenAI from becoming for-profit, WSJ reportsMeta urges California attorney general to stop OpenAI from becoming for-profit, WSJ reports
Read more »
California's attorney general leads a 'know your rights' workshop for immigrantsCalifornia’s efforts to help immigrant communities know their rights as a second Trump administration looms comes from the top down.
Read more »
Arizona attorney general warns Trump deporting Dreamers would be a ‘bright red line’Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes told The UK Guardian newspaper in an interview that deporting DACA recipients and Dreamers are a 'red line' in a legal sense.
Read more »
Exxon Mobil Sues California Attorney General Over Plastic RecyclingOil giant Exxon Mobil has filed a defamation lawsuit against California Attorney General Rob Bonta and environmental groups, claiming they are damaging the company's reputation for its advanced plastics recycling initiatives.
Read more »
Exxon Mobil Sues California Attorney General Over Plastic Recycling ClaimsOil giant Exxon Mobil countersues California Atty. Gen. Rob Bonta for defamation, alleging Bonta falsely accused them of misleading the public about plastic recycling. The lawsuit claims Bonta's accusations damage Exxon's reputation and accuses environmental groups of 'reverse greenwashing'.
Read more »