SAN ANTONIO — Nearly 2,000 price-gouging complaints were filed to the Texas Attorney General’s Office following the winter storm. More than 120 complaints were filed in San Antonio.
A list by the Texas Attorney General’s Office obtained through an open records request reveals that 1,957 people filed complaints and more than 120 were filed against San Antonio businesses. There were complaints related to appliance repair, auto service, contractors, gas stations, the internet, restaurants, bars, and utility. The majority of complaints were travel-related, or involved a retail store.
One woman said that the price for a case of water was raised to $35. Another complainant reported that one hotel raised its rate to $1,000 per night, while another claimed one hotel was charging $2,400. People also, complained of hidden fees or emergency charges. In another case, one woman claimed that a gas station charged her $300 for give gallons of gas.
Last week, Attorney General Ken Paxton filed a lawsuit against the company that operates La Quinta San Antonio Brooks City Base. The hotel is accused of price gouging during storm. The AG’s office says La Quinta charged exorbitant prices for rooms, including nearly three times its normal rates.
“This gross exploitation of Texans in dire need of shelter during historic low temperatures will not be tolerated,” Attorney General Paxton said in a news release. “Companies looking to profit from this tragic event that left millions of Texans without power or water will be aggressively investigated and prosecuted.”
KENS 5 spoke with a man who said he was an employee. He said he did not agree with the AG’s office and declined our request for comment.
Texans who believe they’ve encountered a scam or price gouging should call the attorney general’s Consumer Protection Hotline toll-free at (800) 621-0508 or file a complaint online here.