RALEIGH, N.C. — North Carolina officials are continuing to investigate more than 180 reports of price gouging during and after Hurricane Matthew earlier this month.
On Tuesday, officials said that they had issued subpoenas to four businesses – most of which are in Cumberland or Wayne counties and two of which have headquarters in Raleigh, said Noelle Talley of the N.C. Attorney General’s office.
Officials from the North Carolina Attorney General’s office pointed out several reported examples of price hikes from car rentals, bottled water and hotels.
In one case in Fayetteville, a convenience store was charging $29 for a case of bottled water, Talley said.
According to Talley, the four businesses being subpoenaed by officials are:
- Enterprise Leasing Company-Southeast LLC of Raleigh, for allegations that rental car rates were increased from about $30 per day to about $60 per day at the company’s locations in Fayetteville, Lumberton, Raleigh, Elizabeth City and Boone.
- The Komegay Company LLC of Charlotte, for allegations that its Sleep Inn at 203 NC Highway 55 West in Mount Olive was reportedly charged as much as $150 a night for rooms that typically are less than $90.
- Circle K. Stores Inc. of Raleigh, for allegations that its Kangaroo convenience store at 6605 Raeford Road in Fayetteville charged $29 for a 24-pack of water.
- JSR3 Inc of Gastonia, for allegations that its Budget Inn at 800 West Franklin Street in Gastonia charged storm evacuees as much as $300 a night for a room.
Officials say that they have received 183 complaints of price gouging related to Hurricane Matthew and its aftermath.