By Tracy DeFore, County of San Diego Communications Office

January 24, 2024 (San Diego) -- San Diego County District Attorney Summer Stephan is warning businesses and scammers not to take advantage of consumers by price gouging or other fraud schemes during a state of an emergency – doing so can result in prosecution and jail.

As a result of the damage and devastation caused by the severe storm on Jan.22, the County of San Diego has proclaimed a local emergency on behalf of the Board of Supervisors in anticipation that resources and assistance from the state and federal government may be needed. The City of San Diego also proclaimed an emergency, and Governor Gavin Newsom declared an emergency in the county. During a declared state of emergency, it is illegal for a business to increase its prices for essential goods or services by more than 10 percent, unless they can show their own costs have been increased.