Report Emergency Price Gouging in Manhattan, New York

Business and Consumer Protection New York 3 Minutes Read · published February 05, 2026 Flag of New York

If you see sudden, unjustified price spikes during an emergency in Manhattan, New York, you can report suspected price gouging to the authorities. This guide explains what counts as price gouging, which agencies enforce the rules in New York, how to submit a complaint, and what to expect from enforcement. Follow the step-by-step reporting actions below to preserve evidence and speed up review.

What is price gouging in an emergency?

Price gouging generally means selling essential goods or services at unconscionably high prices after a declared state of emergency. In New York State this conduct is addressed under the state consumer protection statute and is enforced by the Attorney General and local consumer protection offices. See the state statute for the controlling language: General Business Law §396-r[1].

Report suspected gouging quickly and keep receipts or screenshots as evidence.

Penalties & Enforcement

Enforcement is led by the New York State Attorney General and supplemented by local consumer protection offices in New York City. The state statute sets the legal standard and authorizes civil enforcement; specific monetary fines or per-day amounts are not always listed in summary pages and may vary by case or court order.

  • Fine amounts: not specified on the cited page; see the statute and AG reporting page for actions taken by prosecutors.[1]
  • Escalation: first, repeat, and continuing offences handling is not specified on the cited page; enforcement may include civil actions and injunctions per the Attorney General's enforcement authority.[1]
  • Non-monetary sanctions: injunctive relief, restitution to consumers, seizure or turnover of unlawfully obtained proceeds, and court-ordered remedies may be pursued.
  • Enforcer and complaint pathway: report complaints to the New York State Attorney General online or to New York City consumer offices; the AG provides an online reporting form and guidance for emergency complaints. See the AG report page for submission instructions: Report price gouging[2].
  • Appeal and review: specific appeal procedures and time limits for administrative orders are not specified on the cited pages; where a court or agency issues an order, normal judicial review applies and deadlines are described in the order or statute.
Preserve original prices, dates, and seller contact details when you prepare a complaint.

Applications & Forms

The Attorney General and local consumer offices accept online complaints; no special state price-gouging form name or number is required on the cited pages. Use the Attorney General's consumer complaint portal or your local consumer protection complaint form to submit evidence and a statement. For link and submission details see the AG complaint page.[2]

How to document suspected price gouging

  • Save receipts, order confirmations, and invoices showing pre-emergency and post-emergency prices.
  • Take dated screenshots of online listings, including seller name, item description, and price.
  • Record seller communications or store notices about availability and price changes.
Clear, dated evidence speeds investigation and increases the chance of consumer restitution.

FAQ

How do I report price gouging in Manhattan?
File a complaint with the New York State Attorney General's consumer frauds portal and contact New York City consumer protection offices; include receipts and screenshots. See the AG reporting page for submission steps.[2]
What information should I include in a complaint?
Include seller name, address or website, item or service description, dates, original price (if known), current price, and supporting receipts or screenshots.
Will I be notified if action is taken?
Investigative agencies may notify complainants of case status, but specific notice procedures vary and are not fully specified on the cited pages.

How-To

  1. Gather evidence: receipts, screenshots, timestamps, and seller contact details.
  2. Check whether a state of emergency was declared for your area on the date of the price increase.
  3. Submit an online complaint to the New York State Attorney General's consumer frauds portal, attaching evidence.[2]
  4. Report to local New York City consumer protection offices for parallel investigation.
  5. Keep copies of everything and follow up with the agency if you do not receive confirmation within the agency's published timeframes.

Key Takeaways

  • Report suspected emergency price gouging promptly with dated evidence.
  • The New York State Attorney General handles enforcement; local NYC consumer offices can assist.

Help and Support / Resources

  1. [1] General Business Law §396-r - New York State Legislature
  2. [2] Report price gouging - New York State Attorney General

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