February 28, 2025

Consumer Protection: Know Your Rights During Fire Recovery

When disaster strikes, knowing your rights under consumer protection laws is crucial. Fire damage can leave families vulnerable, making it essential to guard against unfair practices. Unfortunately, price gouging can occur during states of emergency, but consumer protection laws prevent businesses from increasing prices on essential goods and services by more than 10% for 30 days following an emergency declaration. This includes repairs, construction, emergency supplies, and even housing costs. Understanding your consumer protection rights ensures you do not fall victim to unlawful price hikes during your fire damage recovery. To learn more, visit dcba.lacounty.gov/pricegouging/.

Consumer protection laws are in place to prevent unethical business practices, especially when residents are recovering from devastating wildfires. If you suspect price gouging, it is essential to keep records and file a complaint through the Online Complaint Reporting Tool or by calling 800-593-8222 or emailing: complaints@dcba.lacounty.gov . These consumer protection measures extend to housing, preventing landlords from increasing rent unfairly. Additionally, hotels and motels cannot raise rates beyond the allowed percentage for evacuees. Staying informed about consumer protection can help safeguard your financial stability in the aftermath of a fire.

Beyond price gouging, consumer protection ensures that utility companies support fire-affected residents. Electricity and natural gas providers must follow consumer protection laws that prevent disconnections, waive deposits, and halt estimated billing for homes rendered unlivable. Water and sewer companies also have consumer protection policies requiring them to waive reconnection fees, offer payment plans, and eliminate bills for homeowners who lost their residences. Consumer protection regulations are vital in ensuring financial relief and stability for those facing fire damage recovery.

SoCalGas states on their website that customers who have had their natural gas service temporarily turned off for safety reasons will not be billed for service during this temporary outage. Please visit the SoCalGas Emergency Disaster Relief webpage to learn more.

To learn more, please visit Southern California Edison’s Disaster Support or call 1-800-250-7339.

Affected customers who have prior arrearages and have lost their homes or have been displaced and are seeking to establish service in a new residence must be offered a payment plan with an initial payment of no greater than 20% of the amount due, and with equal installments for the remainder of not less than 12 billing cycles.

Consumer Protection: Ensuring Fair Pricing After a Fire

Consumer protection also applies to telecommunications services. Landline telephone providers must adhere to consumer protection guidelines, offering free call forwarding, waiving installation fees, and refunding charges for service disruptions due to fire damage. This consumer protection policy ensures that residents stay connected without unnecessary financial burdens. Additionally, affected customers can seek consumer protection assistance if they experience unfair service charges or delayed reconnections. Knowing your consumer protection rights can help ease the stress of rebuilding after a fire.

Understanding consumer protection laws can make a significant difference in the aftermath of fire damage. These regulations prevent financial exploitation, ensure fair utility billing, and protect access to essential services. If you or someone you know has been impacted by fire damage, staying informed about consumer protection rights is crucial. Take advantage of these protections and report violations to safeguard your recovery process. When it’s time to rebuild, trust our expert fire damage demolition services to clear the way for a fresh start.