Margaret Donnelly Calls for Stricter Penalties for Scam Artists and Price Gougers

Residents affected by floods encouraged to call Attorney General's office

ST. LOUIS - Margaret Donnelly, Democratic candidate for attorney general, calls for greater penalties for those who take advantage of other's misery by unfairly increasing prices on necessary products and services or defrauding consumers in connection with a natural disaster.

Currently, any of the acts listed under Section 407.020 of Missouri's Unfair Merchandising Law is considered a Class D felony. Margaret Donnelly is calling for the penalty for these practices to be raised to a Class C felony if committed in conjunction with a natural disaster.

"Natural disasters like tornadoes and floods regularly hit Missouri," Donnelly said. We have laws in place today on price gouging and fraud, but I am calling for tougher penalties if it occurs following a natural disaster like the floods of 2008."

Donnelly also applauds Jay Nixon for raising awareness of how families can protect themselves from scam artists in the wake of the floods of 2008. Reiterating Nixon's earlier statement alerting families in flood-stricken areas, Donnelly advised families to be on the lookout for any contractor or salesman that has approached them in recent days with pitches for repairs or insurance, especially those pushing a "hard sell", asking for a large payment in advance, or refusing to present proper identification.

"It is heartwarming to see the community support and all the donations that have come into these communities. It's tragic that a few scam artists often migrate to storm impacted areas of the country to prey on families and homeowners impacted by natural disasters. The floods of 2008 have caused tremendous economic harm already, and Missouri families don't need to be threatened further by these rip offs," Donnelly said.

Families are encouraged to call the Attorney General's office to ask about recent complaints or to report any suspicious activity. The number to call is 1-800-392-8222. Missourians may also file a complaint at www.consumer.ago.mo.gov.