AG Manibusan and AG Camacho announce ‘One Marianas’ consumer protection outreach

To kick off National Consumer Protection Week (Feb. 28 – March 5, 2021) Attorneys General Edward Manibusan and Leevin T. Camacho announced collaboration between their offices to spread awareness on topics and laws that affect consumers throughout the Marianas.

Attorney General Edward Manibusan said, “We are excited for this important public awareness and outreach campaign aimed at protecting our consumers in the CNMI and Guam.” He continues, “We are grateful for this opportunity to collaborate and work with the Guam Office of the Attorney General which will strengthen our efforts in combating violations of the Consumer Protection Act on our islands.”

AG Manibusan and AG Camacho also reaffirmed their commitment to a cooperative effort where both offices work jointly on consumer-related investigations and issues of reported products and services purchased on Guam and sold in the CNMI, and vice versa. Historically, there have been purported regional price-gouging and inflation claims, as well as cases where businesses have misled consumers about the quality of product being sold.

This collaboration joins a growing list of initiatives between the CNMI and Guam such as the joint petition seeking High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) designations under the Hawaii HIDTA.

“Whether it’s protecting island consumers, preventing the importation of drugs, or seeking additional resources to combat the drug crisis affecting our islands, Guam and the NMI are stronger when we are unified in intention and action,” said Attorney General Leevin T. Camacho.

The CNMI Office of the Consumer Counsel is led by Assistant Attorney General Abbi Novotny and Deputy Attorney General Fred Nishihira leads the Guam Consumer Protection Division.

Super Typhoon Yutu struck the Commonwealth on October 25, 2018. Consumers should be aware, and retailers are on notice, that it is illegal to engage in price gouging following a major disaster.

The Consumer Protection Act makes it unlawful for businesses to engage in price gouging. Price gouging occurs when a business increases prices based solely on a shortage of goods caused by a natural disaster or any other emergency. The Office of the Attorney General will prosecute, both criminally and civilly, any business that engages in price gouging.

The Governor declared a price freeze pursuant to the Consumer Disaster Price Freeze Act on October 27, 2018, which will be in effect until he rescinds all declarations of emergency, disaster or price freeze.

The price of the following items are frozen:

1. Gasoline, kerosene, diesel fuel, natural gas, and all other chemical fuels, whether in gaseous, liquid, or solid form;
2. All foods and foodstuffs, including water, bottled water, beverages, and ice;
3. All clothing;
4. Flashlights, lamps, lanterns, candles, light bulbs, and other means of illumination;
5. Generators, cables, wires, electrical batteries of every sort, and similar equipment for the generation and/or transmission of electrical power;
6. All appliances used in the storage and/or preparation of food, including, but not limited to, stoves, barbecue grilles, ovens, refrigerators, and coolers;
7. Tools typically used for construction, ground clearing, or home repairs, whether electrically powered, chemically powered, or manual, including, but not limited to, saws, machetes, hammers, drills, shovels, rakes, and brooms.
8. All bedding items, including pillows, futons and blankets.

Attorney General Encourages Consumers to Submit Written Complaints on Price Gouging

As a result of typhoon Mangkhut, the Office of the Attorney General encourages consumers to report incidents of price gouging. Attorney General Manibusan warns retailers that the Consumer Protection Act makes it unlawful for any business to engage in price gouging. The Attorney General explains, “price gouging occurs when a business increases prices based on the shortage of goods caused by a natural disaster or any other emergency.” He added, “the Office of the Attorney General will prosecute, both criminally and civilly, any business that engages in price gouging.”

To assist with the investigation of price gouging in connection with Typhoon Mangkhut, affected consumers 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.

Consumers should save all receipts, invoices, and other documents related to price gouging. When submitting a complaint to the Office of the Attorney General, consumers should submit copies of any supporting documents and retain the originals for their own records.

Complaint forms may be obtained at www.cnmioag.org under the Consumer Counsel 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. Consumers who cannot obtain a complaint form may submit a written complaint that includes (1) the name of the consumer and his or her contact information, (2) the name of the business and its location, (3) a description of goods or services purchased, (4) the date of the purchase, (5) the price paid for goods or services, (6) the price of the goods or services prior to Typhoon Mangkhut, (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 Bob Pickett at consumer_counsel@cnmioag.org or (670) 237-7500.

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