Use this form to report a potentially excessive price for merchandise, goods, or services needed by disaster victims within an area covered by an emergency or disaster declaration.
Is this form appropriate for your concern?
Review these requirements before filing. A high price alone does not necessarily violate Iowa's price-gouging rule. The timing, location, type of merchandise or service, seller costs, and disaster declaration all matter.
The price was charged or offered within an area covered by a disaster or emergency declaration.
The transaction occurred during the declaration or a qualifying recovery period.
The item or service was needed by people affected by the disaster.
The price increased substantially compared with the seller's price immediately before the disaster.
The increase may not be explained by the seller's actual acquisition, production, transportation, delivery, or selling costs plus a reasonable profit.
The concern involves goods or services such as water, food, medicine, sanitation supplies, utilities, building materials, temporary necessities, cleanup, or repair.
Another route may be more appropriate for:
An ordinary pricing or billing dispute unrelated to a declared disaster or emergency.
A purchase outside the geographic area covered by the applicable declaration.
A price charged outside the declaration and qualifying recovery period.
A general contractor, repair, warranty, or service dispute that does not primarily concern an excessive disaster-related price.
An insurance claim, premium, or insurance-company dispute that belongs with the Iowa Insurance Division.
A regulated utility rate or service issue that may belong with the Iowa Utilities Commission or Office of Consumer Advocate.
Important scope information
Iowa's rule applies during the emergency declaration and a subsequent recovery period when the disaster continues to cause market disruption. The recovery period cannot exceed six months from the declaration date. Filing a complaint does not guarantee an investigation or enforcement action, and the Attorney General cannot act as your private attorney.
Before you begin
Answer all questions as fully and accurately as possible.
Identify the seller, location, item or service, date, and price involved.
Attach receipts, advertisements, photographs, screenshots, estimates, or other price documentation. Do not send your only originals.
Review the important open-records information below before submitting the form.
Information that can help us review your complaint
Review examples of helpful price evidence, seller details, and disaster-related information.
Seller and transaction details
Business or seller name and location
Date the price was advertised, offered, or charged
Exact item, quantity, size, brand, or service
Price evidence
Receipts, invoices, estimates, or contracts
Photos or screenshots showing the advertised price
Pre-disaster prices or comparison prices, if known
Disaster context
The disaster or emergency involved
The county or location where the item or service was offered
Information about why the item or service was needed because of the disaster
