AUSTIN (WBAP/KLIF) – Attorney General Ken Paxton, in partnership with the Department of Justice, are warning Texans about several fraudulent schemes involving masks, personal protection equipment, and other COVID-19 related equipment.
Authorities are warning Texans to exercise increased due diligence and caution when dealing with new suppliers or vendors, especially when using a third-party broker.
“As demand for PPE increases, scammers may advertise equipment they do not actually have in attempts to make a quick profit,” said Texas AG Spokesperson, Marc Rylander. “These PPE products may be counterfeit and mislabeled, and some may not exist at all. Some fraudsters reach out directly to consumers and government entities through email or social media to push their products.”
According to the state Attorney General’s Office, red flags that a seller may be engaging in a scam include:
- Unusual payment terms
- Last-minute price changes
- Last-minute excuses for delay in shipment
- Unexplained source of a large quantity of material
- Evidence of re-packaging or mislabeling
According to Rylander, there are ongoing federal and state prohibitions on charging exorbitant prices for PPE during the coronavirus pandemic.
Texans who believe they have encountered scams or price gouging are asked to call the Office of the Attorney General’s toll-free complaint line at (800) 621-0508 or file a complaint online.
Listen to Clayton Neville’s story below:
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