Texas AG Office looking into Houston-area price gouging complaint

The Texas Attorney General’s Office looking into whether Houston area business is price gouging people seeking to cash government checks.

Jessica Williamson reached out to KPRC 2 after trying to cash a FEMA check she received after the May derecho.

Williamson visited Senor 1% Check Cashing at the corner of Longpoint and Blalock.

“The male teller at the counter, at the check cashing place, on speaker phone called to verify that the check was valid to the Treasury Department and then proceeded to tell me that they were going to charge me $132 to cash this check,” Williamson told KPRC 2′s Rilwan Balogun. “I told him he was gouging customers in a low-income area. Asked him why her was trying to scam all these people for the government check to make money off them. He told me it was his business; he could charge whatever he wants.”

SEE ALSO: How to avoid high FEMA check fees, price gouging in Houston

In a correspondence to Williamson from the attorney general’s office, officials said they would look into her complaint.

“Under Texas law, taking advantage of a disaster by selling fuel, food, medicine, lodging, building materials, construction tools, or another necessity at an “exorbitant or excessive” price (commonly referred to as “price gouging”) is illegal under the Texas Deceptive Trade Practice Act. The Attorney General enforces the anti-price gouging laws by taking appropriate enforcement actions against businesses and individuals who violate the Deceptive Trade Practices Act,” the message said.

“When he said $132, I was floored. I was angry. I couldn’t believe how he could get away with it,” Williamson said.

“You think that’s happening,” Balogun asked.

“I know that’s what’s happening because I spoke with the other teller, the lady, while he was verifying my check, they said they had cashed many FEMA checks from the derecho,” she said. “But they haven’t seen any yet from the hurricane, which is a good thing hopefully we can get the word out, don’t go there. Try and find another option.”

Balogun reached out to the attorney general’s office regarding the investigation. The location was visited by Balogun and their response will be featured on the KPRC 2 News at 5 and 6 p.m.