by Kevin Zimmermann
MADISON, WI (WHBL) – Several bad actors trying to leverage the coronavirus crisis by price gouging have resulted in Cease and Desist letters from the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection. Governor Evers’ Executive Order declaring a public health emergency authorizes the DATCP to enforce Wisconsin’s price gouging law until the emergency has ended and applies to any consumer good or service being sold at wholesale or retail.
Sixteen Cease and Desist letters were sent to companies suspected of unlawfully raising prices during the emergency. One of them, N95Sales.com, allegedly raised prices on the N95 masks, a critical item for front-line health care workers. Laura Sutherlin, Administrator for the Division of Trade and Consumer Protection said that it’s not uncommon for prices to increase due to high demand or low supply, but price gouging goes beyond that.
To report suspected price gouging, please download a complaint form from the DATCP website at:
datcp.wi.gov/Pages/Programs_Services/DownloadConsumerComplaintForm.aspx
and submit it via email to
Please be prepared to provide the following information:
•Date the product was offered for sale
•Seller’s name
•Seller’s location
•Specific product being sold, including:
◦Product name, product size, and price.
