Posted on March 29, 2019March 29, 2019

Price freeze remains in effect for the CNMI

The Office of the Attorney General would like to remind all retailers in the CNMI that the Declaration of Price Freeze signed by Governor Ralph DLG. Torres on October 27, 2018 remains in effect until it is rescinded, or until the declaration of emergency or disaster are terminated, whichever occurs first. Governor Ralph DLG. Torres issued a Renewal of Declaration of Major Disaster and State of Significant Emergency on March 22, 2019, extending the price freeze for the Northern Mariana Islands for an additional thirty days.

While in effect, it is illegal for any person or business to raise the price of items for sale or the cost of housing rentals, to include apartments and condos. A person or business found to be in violation of the Consumer Disaster Price Freeze Act can be prosecuted criminally or civilly, and can face up to a $10,000 fine and up to one year in jail for each violation.

If you have information about price gouging, you should submit a written complaint to the Office of the Attorney General, along with copies of all receipts, invoices, or other documents associated with the complained-of transaction. Make sure you keep your original documents for your own records.

Complaint forms may be obtained at www.cnmioag.org under the Consumer Protection section or in person at the Civil Division on Capitol Hill from 7:30 am to 4:30 pm, Monday through Friday, or via email by sending a request to consumer_counsel@cnmioag.org. When submitting a written complaint, include as much information as possible, including (1) your name and contact information, (2) the name of the business subject to the complaint and its location, (3) the nature of the complaint, (4) the date of the purchase or payment, (5) the amount paid, (6) if known, the amount charged prior to Typhoon Yutu, (7) any other details that support the complaint, and (8) copies of receipts, invoices, or other documents that support the complaint. Complaints should be hand delivered to the Civil Division on Capitol Hill or submitted via email. Inquiries regarding consumer protection complaints should be directed to Assistant Attorney General Michele
Harris at consumer_counsel@cnmioag.org or (670) 237-7500.