LANSING, MI — Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel is asking for more information from additional business after receiving complaints of price-gouging related to coronavirus.

Nessel’s office had received 75 price-gouging complaints related to the contagion as of 1 p.m. on Friday, March 13, according to a press statement. Four businesses have been contacted by the Attorney General’s office to gather more information on their consumer-reported price-gouging, with the latest letters being mailed Friday. The businesses were not identified.

Nessel’s staff will evaluate the businesses’ responses to determine what action is appropriate, the statement continues.

“Consumers must be treated fairly and not be held to the whims of a business looking to profit from fear, especially in the midst of a public health emergency,” Nessel said in the statement. “My office takes price-gouging complaints very seriously, and I will not hesitate to take legal action against those businesses that are not complying with the law.”

The Attorney General’s office is looking at other potential targets but are not yet identifying them.

The state issued an emergency declaration on March 10 due to the first positive cases of coronavirus. The Attorney General’s office is tracking consumer complaints related to the virus and is evaluating the reports to determine what actions to take.

As of Friday, the state has 25 cases of people who have tested or had a presumptive positive test for cornonavirus.

Face masks, hand sanitizers, cleaning supplies, and bottled water are among the products that have reportedly been on store shelves for exceptionally high prices, likely in violation of the Michigan Consumer Protection Act. Other products consumers might seek to purchase due to the threat of coronavirus may also be at risk of price-gouging practices, the statement said.

The Attorney General’s office last week contacted a west Michigan retailer for reportedly selling individual face masks at high prices. A discussion with the business owner took place, followed by a letter requiring the business to provide specific information to avoid formal action or investigation.

Another business in Ann Arbor was contacted and issued a letter Wednesday; investigators are awaiting a response. Two grocery stores were mailed letters Friday, one in Farmington Hills and another in Dearborn.

Retailers may be in violation of the Michigan Consumer Protection Act if they are:

Charging the consumer, a price that is grossly in excess of the price at which similar property or services are sold; and

Causing coercion and duress as the result of the time and nature of a sales presentation.

Michigan residents are urged to report any violation of the Consumer Protection Act online or by calling 1-877-765-8388.

Nessel also recently stated her support of price-gouging legislation introduced Thursday in the Michigan Senate by Sens. Jeremy Moss, D-Southfield, and Ruth Johnson, R-Holly.

The latest information on the coronavirus outbreak is available online at a state website focused on the issue and at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

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