Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel sent investigators to Gaylord on Monday after reports of price gouging in the aftermath of last week’s tornado.
Nessel cited the importance of protecting those struggling in the wake of a natural disaster from those exploiting them for personal gain.
The attorney general hopes investigators can ensure the prices of necessary goods and services are not artificially inflated.
Michigan law prevents retailers from selling items at grossly excessive markups but has no law specifically prohibiting price gouging in response to a disaster.
The Department of the Attorney General asks any resident who believes a retailer is charging a price “grossly in excess” of what others are charging for similar goods or services to contact the Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division at 1-877-765-8388 or file an online complaint.