A Houston-area gas station has been ordered to pay a $50,000 penalty for price gouging while many Houstonians were vulnerable during the aftermath of Hurricane Beryl.

The Texas Attorney General's Office is investigating a Houston-area business for potential price gouging after Jessica Williamson reported being charged $132 to cash a FEMA check at Senor 1% Check Cashing.

Houston residents face high fees and price gouging when cashing FEMA checks after Hurricane Beryl.

During a declared state of emergency, the Texas Deceptive Trade Practices Act makes it illegal for a business or individual to sell or lease fuel, food, medicine, lodging, building materials, construction tools, or other necessities at an exorbitant or excessive price.

Frustration and panic are growing for many formula-feeding parents as many store shelves continue to be empty or low on supply following the recall by formula maker Abbott, stemming from contamination concerns.

Fort Bend County Judge KP George and other county officials have launched an anti-price gouging hotline, according to a press release on Thursday. Officials also provide resources for residents during an emergency weather and energy situation. How can residents report?

The Harris County Attorney’s Office (HCAO) is urging residents to reports any instances of price gouging the encounter. I urge you to report price gouging on our website. We will hold businesses and individuals accountable for unfair practices.”AdHow to report price gouging in Harris County:Email your complaint to consumerhelp@cao.hctx.net . Complete the online form at harriscountycao.org/report-price-gougingHow to report price gouging in Texas:Call the Office of the Attorney General’s toll-free complaint line at (800) 621-0508. Please complete the form below to send your instance of price gouging to KPRC 2 Investigates.

HOUSTON If you see price gouging, know that its illegal. Thats the message that state officials want you to know as Laura churns toward the Texas coast. A disaster declaration triggers stiffer penalties for price gouging under the Texas Deceptive Trade Practices Act. In preparation for the coming storms, I urge all Texans to be cautious of dishonest individuals looking to scam vulnerable citizens, said Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton. Have you seen price gouging?

The spread of COVID-19 caused by the novel coronavirus has prompted many people to share concerns over possible price gouging in Texas. According to the Office of the Attorney General, price gouging is illegal and the Texas attorney general has authority to prosecute any business that engages in price gouging after a disaster has been declared by the governor or president. The state defines price gouging as such:Selling or leasing fuel, food, medicine, lodging, building materials, construction tools, or another necessity at an exorbitant or excessive price. Demanding an exorbitant or excessive price in connection with the sale or lease of fuel, food, medicine, lodging, building materials, construction tools, or another necessity. Anyone who has encountered price gouging during the coronavirus outbreak is asked to call the Office of the Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Hotline toll-free at 1-800-621-0508.