Price gouging occurs when retailers or other sellers take advantage of the increased demand and insufficient supply of goods and services—often commodities and basic necessities—following a natural disaster, war, civil unrest, or other event, and increase prices beyond a fair or reasonable amount.
In Kansas, price gouging is addressed under the Kansas Consumer Protection Act. The law prohibits profiteering from a disaster by significantly increasing the price of any necessary property or service during a time of disaster. This applies to goods and services that are vital to the health, safety, and welfare of the public. The state's Attorney General is empowered to investigate and prosecute instances of price gouging when a state of disaster emergency has been declared by the Governor. Violations of the price gouging laws can result in penalties including fines and injunctions against the seller. It is important for consumers to report suspected price gouging to the Kansas Attorney General's office to ensure that the laws are enforced and that sellers do not take unfair advantage of emergency situations.