$12.5B
FTC-reported fraud losses in 2024
FTC says consumers reported losing $12.5 billion to fraud in 2024.
emergency supply price gouging scam
Sellers dramatically inflate prices on essential supplies like water, generators, fuel, and building materials in disaster-affected areas, exploiting victims' desperate need.
“disaster scam”
↑ 500%Key indicators
Usually targetsDisaster victims
Often hitsSmall business owners
Common regionUnited States
Last updated2026-04-04
Estimated impact
$960
median reported loss
Typical range$60 – $6.0K
Recovery rate~15%
Scam breakdown
1
After a disaster declaration, sellers buy up essential supplies like bottled water, generators, plywood, and gasoline, then resell them at extreme markups in the affected area.
2
Online marketplaces see listings for essential items at 3-10x normal prices, targeting desperate buyers who cannot find supplies through normal channels.
3
Victims pay inflated prices out of necessity, and the sellers move on to the next disaster area.
What to do first
Document the inflated prices with photos and receipts and report to your state attorney general, as price gouging is illegal in most states during declared emergencies.
Related terms
disaster price gougingemergency supply markup scamNatural disaster scamsWebsiteSurgingDisaster victimsHomeownersFamiliesSmall business ownersTech workers and developersCreators and online sellersUnited Statesdisaster price gougingemergency supply markup scam
Real-world example
How this scam plays out in practice
Based on reported patterns. Names and details are illustrative.
The setup
Christopher, 35, a disaster victims, encountered what appeared to be a legitimate natural disaster scams situation while using Website. After a disaster declaration, sellers buy up essential supplies like bottled water, generators, plywood, and gasoline, then resell them at extreme markups in the affected area.
Step 2
What happened next was calculated: Online marketplaces see listings for essential items at 3-10x normal prices, targeting desperate buyers who cannot find supplies through normal channels.
Step 3
The pressure escalated quickly: Victims pay inflated prices out of necessity, and the sellers move on to the next disaster area.
The outcome
Christopher realized something was wrong when prices for essential goods are 2-10x higher than normal retail prices. By that point, significant damage had already been done — money sent, personal information shared, or trust exploited.
The lesson
Document the inflated prices with photos and receipts and report to your state attorney general, as price gouging is illegal in most states during declared emergencies. Christopher's experience shows why prices for essential goods are 2-10x higher than normal retail prices and seller appeared in the area only after the disaster was declared are the clearest early warning signs.
How to identify it
- Prices for essential goods are 2-10x higher than normal retail prices
- Seller appeared in the area only after the disaster was declared
- Products are sold cash-only with no receipts or return policy
- Pause before paying, clicking, or sharing information. Scammers rely on speed.
- Verify the sender, company, or agency using a phone number or website you already know is legitimate.
- Treat secrecy, urgency, and off-platform payment requests as strong scam signals.
What to do now
- ✓Document the inflated prices with photos and receipts and report to your state attorney general, as price gouging is illegal in most states during declared emergencies.
- ✓Check FEMA's disaster supply distribution points and local community aid organizations for free essential supplies.
- ✓Report online price gouging to the platform (Amazon, eBay, Facebook Marketplace) and to your state consumer protection office.
What to save before reporting
- ✓Save the message, profile, phone number, email, or URL that was used.
- ✓Keep payment confirmations, receipts, and account alerts before you dispute or delete anything.
- ✓Write down the timeline while the details are still fresh.
How big is this problem
You are not alone — this scam affects millions of people.
These numbers come from government agencies and official reports. If you have been affected, know that this is a widespread problem — not something that only happens to careless people.
FTC 2024 fraud losses
Imposters
Most common FTC fraud category in 2024
FTC says imposter scams remained the most commonly reported fraud category in 2024.
History and evolution
- This scam family tends to persist because the social-engineering pressure works even when the exact scripts, platforms, and payment methods change.
- The specific packaging evolves over time, but the core pattern usually stays the same: create urgency, control the channel, and push action before verification.
- State attorneys general received over 5,000 price gouging complaints following the 2024 hurricane season, with bottled water and generators being the most commonly reported items.
Recovery and follow-up
- ✓Save the messages, receipts, account alerts, and transaction details before you block or delete anything.
- ✓Report the scam through the official platform or government channel that best matches where it happened.
- ✓Document the inflated prices with photos and receipts and report to your state attorney general, as price gouging is illegal in most states during declared emergencies.
- ✓Check FEMA's disaster supply distribution points and local community aid organizations for free essential supplies.
- ✓Report online price gouging to the platform (Amazon, eBay, Facebook Marketplace) and to your state consumer protection office.
Why this pattern keeps working
Even when the story changes, most scams still use the same pressure pattern: urgency, authority, and a request to move money or data fast.
State attorneys general received over 5,000 price gouging complaints following the 2024 hurricane season, with bottled water and generators being the most commonly reported items.
NAAG Consumer Protection Report 2024
Where to report it
If you have been targeted by this scam, reporting it helps authorities track the pattern and protect others. United States has dedicated agencies that handle fraud reports.
ReportFraud.gov
Federal Trade Commission
Central U.S. consumer fraud reporting portal.
File an IC3 complaint
FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center
FBI portal for internet-enabled crime reports.
Start identity theft recovery
IdentityTheft.gov
Official U.S. identity theft recovery plan builder.
Explore further
Understand the bigger picture
Who is most at risk
Who this scam targets
Primary targets
Disaster victims, Homeowners, Families
Geographic concentration
United States
Primary channel
Website — Natural disaster scams
Why this group is vulnerable
Disaster victims are particularly vulnerable because this scam exploits trust in familiar brands, authority figures, and time-sensitive decisions. The rapid increase in reports suggests that awareness among this demographic remains low.
Sources and methodology
How we verify this information
OpenScam tracks scam patterns using a combination of government consumer protection databases (FTC, IC3, Action Fraud), platform-specific fraud reports, and verified consumer complaint data. Each entry is cross-referenced against at least two independent sources before publication.
Severity ratings are based on financial impact potential, reversibility of damage, and volume of reports across multiple reporting channels. Trend velocity reflects the rate of change in report volume over the most recent 90-day window.
This page was last verified on 2026-04-04. Red flags, recovery steps, and reporting resources are reviewed quarterly against current agency guidance.
Evidence and indicators
- State attorneys general received over 5,000 price gouging complaints following the 2024 hurricane season, with bottled water and generators being the most commonly reported items.
Source notes
- NAAG Consumer Protection Report 2024
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about emergency supply price gouging scam
How does the emergency supply price gouging scam work?+
After a disaster declaration, sellers buy up essential supplies like bottled water, generators, plywood, and gasoline, then resell them at extreme markups in the affected area. Online marketplaces see listings for essential items at 3-10x normal prices, targeting desperate buyers who cannot find supplies through normal channels. Victims pay inflated prices out of necessity, and the sellers move on to the next disaster area.
What are the warning signs of emergency supply price gouging scam?+
Prices for essential goods are 2-10x higher than normal retail prices Seller appeared in the area only after the disaster was declared Products are sold cash-only with no receipts or return policy
What should I do if I encounter emergency supply price gouging scam?+
Document the inflated prices with photos and receipts and report to your state attorney general, as price gouging is illegal in most states during declared emergencies. Check FEMA's disaster supply distribution points and local community aid organizations for free essential supplies. Report online price gouging to the platform (Amazon, eBay, Facebook Marketplace) and to your state consumer protection office.
Who is most at risk for emergency supply price gouging scam?+
This scam primarily targets Disaster victims, Homeowners, Families. It is most commonly reported in United States and typically appears on Website.
Is emergency supply price gouging scam getting worse?+
emergency supply price gouging scam is currently surging — reports are increasing rapidly. It has been reported across US. Last updated 2026-04-04.
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Help someone avoid this scam.
Scammers succeed because people do not talk about it. If you or someone you know has been affected, there is no shame in it — it happens to millions of people every year. Share this page with friends and family so they know what to look for.
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