Contact your state attorney general's office
In the days following Hurricane Ike, The Tennessean in Nashville reported the state's Department of Commerce and Insurance received more than 2,200 e-mails and phone calls about price gouging. Those are turned over to the attorney general's office. Tennessee is but one example of the strong feelings among consumers.
Attorneys General make their livings prosecuting fraud and unfair business practices. They are more than willing to listen to your complaints, but they will want documentation. The National Association of Attorneys General links to each state's office with Web, phone and street address information.
The U.S. Department of Energy
The DOE has a FAQ page on gasoline prices for consumers. The page includes scores of links to more information about pricing, OPEC and conserving fuel.
Take it up with consumer affairs
These operations are run by a wide variety of departments at the state level. Florida's, for example, is part of the department of agriculture. New Jersey's is in the department of law and public safety. No matter where they originate, they are likely to employ specialists. Do a search for your state's name and "consumer affairs."
Contact the Better Business Bureau
After Hurricane Katrina, Mississippi's BBB allowed consumers to report hotel price gouging online. That's because rooms in the entire state were involved. People fled northward, seeking out shelter far removed from the storm's fury. The BBB is good at investigating such matters, and it's worth checking with them if you believe a hotel has put profits ahead of propriety.
Beyond complaints, a long memory can do more to shut down price gouging than any official investigation. It is swift and sure. Refuse to do business with the greedy -- soon they could face a well-deserved business crisis of their own.
