Amazon has suspended nearly 4,000 user accounts and removed more than 500,000 product offers for people who were taking advantage of the coronavirus outbreak and price-gouging customers. Amazon said: “Price gouging has no place in our stores.”
Amazon is working closely with law enforcement officials to protect customers, the company issued statement said they have contacted every state attorney general in the nation. They are also actively working with federal prosecutors, while they “investigate and prosecute alleged price gougers.”
They said they are constantly monitoring their stores for unfair listings and prices and currently are especially focused on false claims in regards to COVID-19, stating:
We have deployed a dedicated team that’s working continuously to identify and investigate unfairly priced products that are now in high demand, such as protective masks and hand sanitizer.
Prices that violate Amazon policy will be removed, and seller accounts will either be immediately suspended or terminated. The business or owner associated with these accounts will also be referred “to law enforcement agencies for further prosecution under relevant laws.”
This news comes just a few days after U.S. President Donald Trump signed an executive order to prevent price gouging and hoarding of in-demand supplies, especially related to the coronavirus outbreak.
Many products are in very short supply, companies like 3M, Tesla, and now major automobile manufacturers are either increasing their production or helping out by making products.
Amazon is also in working with community officials:
In addition to focusing on our customers, we’re in regular contact with community leaders and government officials around the country in an effort to assist those most affected by the health and social impacts of COVID-19. And we are taking every possible step to increase our inventory of relief supplies, basic-need products, and other household staples.
Bloomberg reported that since the virus outbreak increased in the U.S., there has been a big run on toilet paper, bleach wipes, hand sanitizer, soup, and canned goods among other products.
During these difficult times, Amazon is reinforcing its policies and making it clear that they will be enforced. Third-party sellers on Amazon are responsible for more than half of the products sold on the site. In their statement, they said the majority of sellers are honest and offer a wide variety of products at competitive prices.
Amazon is humbled by the trust our customers have placed in us during this difficult time. We are fully committed to protecting their interests and rising to the challenges posed by COVID-19.
It was also reported by Bloomberg that along with Amazon, eBay and other selling sites have also seen some people trying to price gouge would-be customers.
