AG Sends Letter To Hotels Concerning Hotel Price Gouging From Ruidoso Fires

In response to last Wednesday’s press conference with the New Mexico Attorney General, the  New Mexico Department of Justice has received almost a dozen complaints regarding potential hotel price gouging due to the South Fork and Salt fires as reported via a press release from the AG’s office.

Cease-and-desist notices have been sent to several Roswell hotels, The Baymont by Windham, The Clarion Inn, Days Inn, Holiday Inn, and Home2 Suites by Hilton. In addition, the La Quinta in Artesia has also received a cease-and-desist letter.

The NMDOJ’s preliminary review indicates that several hotels have potentially engaged in unfair price-gouging, causing harm to those affected by recent wildfires. Several complaints received by the AG’s office outline that hotel bookings are being canceled, with little to no explanation, to then be rebooked at a higher price. Other anonymous complaints include allegations of blatant upcharging of hotel rooms due to the Ruidoso fires.

The notice requests immediate cessation from engaging in business practices that violate the New Mexico Unfair Practices Act which prohibits unconscionable business practices, such as exploiting consumers during an emergency.

The New Mexico AG office encourage the public to continue to submit any complaints of potential price gouging or other possible fraudulent behavior, to their office.

How Consumers Can Take Action:
Individuals can report potential price gouging or fraudulent behavior through the following methods…

• Online: Visit the AG website at www.nmdoj.gov/get-help and complete the online complaint form.
• Phone: Call the AG Office at 505-490-4060, option 3.

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