JEFFERSON CITY – Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt warned consumers of potential scams, gouging related to COVID-19 or the 2019 novel coronavirus.

Missouri law prohibits individuals and businesses from substantially raising their prices for the necessities of life during an emergency. Consumers need to be aware of products that see a large increase in prices. In most cases, price gouging is typically relegated to gas, water and food, but in this case, consumers should also watch for substantial price increases on hand sanitizer, medical masks, soap, over-the-counter medicine and other necessities.

Schmitt’s office stated phishing or other online scams relating to COVID-19 are possible. For example: emails purporting to be from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s Health Alert Network were phishing attempts to gain access to personal information. Recipients were instructed to click on a link in the email to access the list. Next, recipients were asked to enter their email login credentials, “which were then stolen.”

“If it looks fishy, it most likely is,” Schmitt’s office stated.

For information relating to COVID-19, visit the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services’ website at https://health.mo.gov/living/healthcondiseases/communicable/novel-coronavirus/.

Report price gouging or other COVID-19 related scams to the Missouri Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Hotline at 1-800-392-8222 or file a complaint at https://ago.mo.gov/app/consumercomplaint.