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Update on COVID-19 Consumer Protection Efforts:

Update on COVID-19 Consumer Protection Efforts:

Update on COVID-19 Consumer Protection Efforts:

The Attorney General’s Office says the consumer protection service section is working to combat scams and price gouging in Missouri.

One of the first actions taken by Attorney General Schmitt in the COVID-19 crisis was filing a lawsuit against Jim Bakker for marketing silver solution as a cure for the virus.

The office has also issued a total of nine subpoena-like demands and 10 cease and desist letters to individuals and businesses across the state.

Here’s more from the Attorney General’s Office:

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt is giving an update on his office’s efforts to protect consumers and root out fraud during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Attorney General‘s Office’s Consumer Protection Section is still fully functional and has been working diligently to monitor, root out, and take action against scams and price gouging.

“Throughout this pandemic, our Consumer Protection Section has done incredible work to protect Missouri consumers – from over a thousand consumers called to multiple legal actions, there’s no question that our hotline operators, advocates, investigators, and lawyers are doing important work on behalf of the Missourians they serve,” said Attorney General Schmitt.

Since early March:

  • The Office has received 1,274 price gouging complaints from across the state.
  • A specific form to make it easier to report price gouging was launched.
  • Hotline operators and consumer advocates have made calls to 1,144 consumers who have filed complaints.
  • The Office has issued 9 Civil Investigative Demands (CID) related to price gouging
  • A total of 10 Cease and Desist letters have been sent to individuals and businesses across the state.
  • 6 consumer alerts and a number of public service announcements on a variety of topics, including Medicaid fraud, CARES Act Scams, charity fraud, and more have been sent out.

Additionally, over 100 letters and dozens of calls have been sent and made to a wide variety of advocacy groups and institutions across the state offering support and consumer protection assistance. The Office has also actively worked with the business community to combat price gouging.

One of the first actions taken by Attorney General Schmitt in the COVID-19 consumer protection realm was to file suit against Jim Bakker for marketing silver solution as a COVID-19 cure. An amended petition that includes a more comprehensive review of alleged Missouri Merchandising Practices Act violations and three new counts was filed yesterday, and can be found here.

Notable cease and desist letters include those sent to three St. Louis businesses and a Branson-area business for inflating the price of N95 and KN95 masks.

Missourians who wish to report price gouging or scams can do so by calling 800-392-8222 or online at ago.mo.gov.

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