Gov. Henry McMaster’s state of emergency declaration put SC’s price gouging law into effect. 

State law makes it illegal to “rent or sell or offer to rent or sell a commodity at an unconscionable price.” The law remains in effect until the declaration ends.

Attorney General Alan Wilson said, “We can expect normal price increases, but we may see businesses and individuals looking to unfairly take advantage of the situation through price gouging of things like hand sanitizer, cleaning supplies, toilet paper and other commodities. By our law, that’s a criminal violation and an unfair trade practice,” Wilson said. 

"If you feel like you are the victim of price gouging there are certain steps that you can take to help our office investigate. Please do the following:
1.    Note the time, place, address, and name of the business
2.    Note the price you paid
3.    Note any prices nearby and get the same information on those businesses
4.    Take pictures that identify the business, along with the price
5.    Provide your name and contact information.

"Our office will need that information to conduct a thorough investigation. Please email any examples or documentation to pricegouging@scag.gov or call 803-737-3953 and leave a message if you have witnessed a likely violation.

Anyone found to have violated the law is guilty of a misdemeanor and if convicted, must be punished by a fine of up to $1,000 and up to 30 days in jail.