Virginia AG Announces Price Gouging Protections for Winter Weather

Detected February 7th, 2026

Summary

The Virginia Attorney General announced that anti-price gouging statutes are now in effect due to a declared state of emergency for anticipated winter weather. These protections prohibit charging unconscionable prices for essential goods and services following the emergency declaration.

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What changed

The Virginia Attorney General's office has issued a notice that Virginia's anti-price gouging statutes are now active following Governor Abigail Spanberger's declaration of a state of emergency due to anticipated winter weather. The statutes prohibit suppliers from charging "unconscionable prices" for "necessary goods and services" during an emergency, with prices being considered unconscionable if they grossly exceed those charged in the ten days prior to the disaster. This action is enforceable by the Attorney General's office under the Virginia Consumer Protection Act.

This notice serves as a reminder to businesses that price gouging is illegal and carries enforcement penalties. Consumers are advised to report suspected violations to the Attorney General's Consumer Protection Section, except for gasoline and motor fuel prices, which are handled by a different agency. The action aims to protect consumers from excessive pricing during the emergency period.

Source document (simplified)

Commonwealth of Virginia
Office of the Attorney General

Jay Jones
Attorney General

202 North 9th Street
Richmond, Virginia 23219
804-786-2071
FAX 804-786-1991
Virginia Relay Service
800-828-1120

For media inquiries only, contact:
Rae Pickett
RPickett@oag.state.va.us

Attorney General Jones Announces Price Gouging Protections in Effect Ahead of Anticipated Winter Weather

Richmond, VA - Today, Governor Abigail Spanberger's declaration of a state of emergency triggered Virginia's anti-price gouging statutes. Designed to protect consumers, these laws ensure

consumers are not forced into paying outrageously high prices for essential goods during an emergency. The act prohibits suppliers from charging “unconscionable prices” for “necessary goods and services” following a declared state of emergency.

Items and services covered by these protections include, but are not limited to, water, ice, food, generators, batteries, home repair materials and services, and tree removal services. The basic test for determining if a price is unconscionable is whether the post-disaster price grossly exceeds the price charged for the same good or services during the ten days immediately prior to the disaster.

Violations of Virginia’s Anti-Price Gouging Act are enforceable by the Office of the Attorney General through the Virginia Consumer Protection Act.

Virginia consumers who suspect they are a victim of price gouging can call the Consumer Protection Hotline of download a complaint form.

Complaints should be reported for investigation to the Office of the Attorney General Consumer Protection Section, except for claims related to gasoline and motor fuel prices, which are handled by the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.

Consumers can contact Attorney General Jay Jones’ Consumer Protection Section for additional information or to file a complaint.

By phone: (800)-552-9963
By email: consumer@oag.state.va.us
Online Complaint Form