Gasoline is considered an essential consumer good and service, of which it is unlawful to gouge or fix under the Federal Trade Commission Act (15 U.S.C. § § 41 et seq.). Gas prices that rise and fall by minimal amounts over a period of time indicates normal inflation and deflation activity. Gas stations that show a large increase in the price of gas per gallon that is inconsistent when compared to other gas stations in the area are considered cheating because of unfair competition practices, which is a criminal offense against consumers. You can report instances of gas price gouging to state authorities.
Step 1
Keep your sales receipt for the gas you purchased. Write down the name and address of the gas station, date, grade of gas and price paid per gallon of gas.
Step 2
Go to the official website of the National Association of Attorneys General (NAAG). (See Resource 1) Locate the map of the United States on the NAAG home page and move your cursor over the state where the cheating gas station is located to find the contact information for the Attorney General.
Step 3
Call, email or write a letter to the Attorney General to report the gas station where price gauging was evident. Include the contact and price information accumulated in Step 1.
Step 4
Fill out a complaint form online at the website of your state's consumer complaint board or department of commerce to report gasoline price-gouging.