Petrol Stations across America are reported to be overcharging customers unproportionally to world prices
Reports in Florida say that petrol stations are overcharging their customers under the façade of rising prices. It appears that prices are rising out of proportion to oil prices.
Attorney General Bill McCollum served subpoenas to four companies, seeking information about reported gas-price gouging. The state has received more than 350 complaints. "We will not tolerate gouging for greed," McCollum said. Florida is serving the subpoenas to the corporate offices of Flying J, Dodge's Gas Stores, Valero and Pilot Travel Centers.
These unwarranted price increases are being investigated in Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana, Arkansas, Mississippi and North Carolina where state lawmakers are all on the lookout for gouging. Some states are even asking consumers to use their cell phones to take pictures of gas-station price signs, to document alleged greed.
Connecticut's Attorney General Richard Blumenthal, said he will ask the General Assembly in its next session to increase fines for price gouging. He also wants guidelines set to quantify when price increases are gouging, and when they are a legitimate result of supply shortages.
Author:
Jo Amey
