More Than 500 Cases of Price Gouging Reported in NYC Since Sandy

State Attorney General Eric Schneiderman’s office is investigating more than 500 possible cases of price gouging  in the wake of Sandy’s destruction in New York – with more than 300 reports being made over the weekend and Monday alone, according to the New York Post.

Cases include a store who was selling matches for $10 and a $7 loaf of bread. In one report, a bag of potatoes that was $3 before the storm, was suddenly $7.

Schneiderman’s office said they are investigating huge price increases in essentials like gasoline, food, bottled water, generators, batteries and flashlights in the wake of Sandy.

According to the Huffington Post, national auto club AAA said gas prices in some storm-ravaged areas have risen as much as 15 cents a gallon in the week since Sandy struck, even as the national gas prices keep falling.

New Yorkers can report price gouging by phone at (800) 771-7755 or on Schneiderman’s office Web site, http://www.ag.ny.gov.