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Ky Attorney General subpoenas Amazon third-party sellers for price gouging

Posted at 10:42 AM, Mar 26, 2020
and last updated 2020-03-26 10:42:01-04

(LEX 18) — Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron has issued subpoenas to six Amazon third-party sellers in Kentucky suspected of price gouging during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Those sellers were allegedly price gouging essential emergency and medical supplies, including hand sanitizer and respirator masks. Some of the prices were inflated by as much as 1,951 percent.

“Kentuckians who purchase essential medical and emergency supplies should feel confident that they are not being taken advantage of because of the health crisis,” said Attorney General Cameron. “The egregious actions of these third-party sellers will not be tolerated in Kentucky, and the subpoenas we issued should serve as a warning to anyone who tries to illegally profit from COVID-19. I am grateful to Amazon for working with us to stop these predatory practices by third-party sellers."

According to Attorney General Cameron's office, over half of those sellers were served cease and desist orders, and investigations are continuing.

If you see suspected price gouging activity, you're asked to call the Consumer Protection Hotline at 1-888-432-9257.