Alameda County District Attorney Nancy O'Malley and county sheriff's officials are asking people to report novel coronavirus-related scams, price gouging and non-compliance with health orders.
O'Malley said in a statement that her office encourages county residents to report any instances of price gouging when they shop for consumer goods or medical supplies.
O'Malley said price gouging refers to sellers trying to take unfair advantage of consumers during an emergency or disaster by increasing prices for essential consumer goods or services by more than 10 percent over their previous prices.
"I want to make it crystal clear that we will not stand for price gouging," O'Malley said in a statement.
O'Malley said, "It is illegal for any business to profiteer while we are in a state of emergency. All residents of Alameda County must continue to have access to necessary supplies, especially when the community's health is at stake."
She said that since county officials and Gov. Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency and issued shelter-in-place orders, her office has received "a steady stream of calls and emails" reporting instances of price gouging on products ranging from paper goods to cleaning supplies and food.
O'Malley said anyone who has been the victim of price gouging, or has information about potential price gouging, should file a complaint with the District Attorney's Office by going to its website or calling 510-383-8600.
She said violations of the price gouging statute are subject to criminal prosecution that can result in county jail time and a fine of up to $10,000. Violators also are subject to civil enforcement actions, including civil penalties, injunctive relief and mandatory restitution.
Alameda County sheriff's Sgt. Tya Modeste said her office is also asking the public to report non-essential businesses functioning above minimum basic operations and residents engaging in non-essential activities and scams.
Modeste said people who have information about potential violations should email [email protected]
She said guidelines for what has been deemed to be essential versus non-essential business activities are outlined in the county public health officer's health order mandating that people shelter-in-place. It can be found on the Alameda County Public Health Department's website at www.acphd.org.
Comments
Dublin
on Mar 27, 2020 at 3:43 pm
on Mar 27, 2020 at 3:43 pm
I lodged a complaint to [email protected] saying that the response for my price gouging complaint to Pleasanton PD and CA DOJ were useless; I also mailed them the transcript of my correspondence with both of them.
I got a response asking me to contact Pleasanton PD.
Looks like they didn't even read my email.
Absolutely no use lodging a complaint with Alameda County District Attorney.
Another Pleasanton neighborhood
on Mar 28, 2020 at 10:36 pm
on Mar 28, 2020 at 10:36 pm
I am turning in Speaker Pelosi as she went all through San Francisco telling us all Covid 19 wasn’t contagious....huge scam!
Another Pleasanton neighborhood
on Mar 28, 2020 at 10:47 pm
on Mar 28, 2020 at 10:47 pm
Now they want us to turn in our community members and neighbors for ”non compliance” with their government rules....how very communist of our dear leaders in Alameda county.....good luck with that in our free society. Never let a good crisis go to waste!
Another Pleasanton neighborhood
on Mar 28, 2020 at 10:52 pm
on Mar 28, 2020 at 10:52 pm
We should turn in our neighbors if they violate the rules. We're all in this together.
Social distancing saves lives. Stay home.
Another Pleasanton neighborhood
on Mar 30, 2020 at 6:00 am
on Mar 30, 2020 at 6:00 am
Yes social distancing. So all illegal immigrants should go and stay home. I agree with Bob. If your illegally in this country go back home and stay their and if you do t jail them for ten years then send them home. Lwts all be safe l.
Bridle Creek
on Mar 30, 2020 at 12:21 pm
on Mar 30, 2020 at 12:21 pm
I'd believe our Government was really concerned about social distancing if they shut down the airlines.
From my research my favorite airline, Southwest, still flies a full schedule between Oakland and destinations I usually travel.
Dan
Val Vista
on Mar 30, 2020 at 7:25 pm
on Mar 30, 2020 at 7:25 pm
Ya, turn in your neighbors by all means. But before you do that consider this...a pitcher for the Boston Red Sox (East Coast) just had elective surgery in Los Angeles after the US Navy Hospital Ship docked in LA to help ease the burden here. So I guess someone should report the governor and LA county and thank the President for sending the ship.