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Avoid face mask price gouging
Consumer reporter John Matarese shows us profiteers making big bucks off masks.
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15 NC counties are under alert, including Johnston County. Details
Consumer reporter John Matarese shows us profiteers making big bucks off masks.
MIDDLE OF NEXT WEEK. >>> LOOKING FOR FACEMASKS, RIGHT NOW? GOOD LUCK. MOST STORES IN THE U.S. HAVE SOLD OUT AND AREN'T SURE WHEN THEY WILL GET ANOTHER SHIPMENT. >> WHAT IS EVEN WORSE, PROFITEERS MAKING BIG BUCKS OFF OF MASKS, SO YOU DON'T WASTE YOUR MONEY. >> Reporter: ONE OF THE WORST THINGS ABOUT A CRISIS IS PEOPLE WHO TRY TO PROFIT FROM THAT CRISIS. IN THE CASE OF CORONAVIRUS, IT IS ONLINE SELLERS PRICE GOUGING. HUNTING FOR THESE RIGHT NOW? >> THIS IS A SURGICAL MASK. >> Reporter: THIS IS WHAT YOU WILL FIND IN MOST WALGREENS, HOME DEPOT'S, AND LOWE'S STORES, EMPTY SHELVES. ONLINE, MEDICAL MASKS, USED TO COME AT A DOLLAR EACH. EVEN THE BETTER IN-95 MASKS, WERE A COUPLE OF BUCKS EACH. A CHECK ON AMAZON FOUND THOSE SOLD OUT. WE FOUND A PACK OF LETTER IN-95 MASKS FOR $876, 10 TIMES THE ORIGINAL PRICE. THIS COMES AS THE CDC SAYS HEALTHY PEOPLE DO NOT NEED TO WEAR MASKS, SUGGESTING INSTEAD YOU WASH UP WITH SO, AVOID TOUCHING EYES, NOSE, AND MOUTH COME AND WIPE DOWN SURFACES. AMAZON IS PULLING GOUGES LISTINGS, BUT HIGH-PRICED MASKS, KEEP POPPING UP. IT IS ENOUGH TO MAKE YOU SAY DOESN'T THAT STINK. eBAY IS FILLED WITH LISTINGS THAT DON'T INSPIRE MUCH CONFIDENCE, LIKE THIS CORONAVIRUS MASK, MADE IN CHINA. THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS A CORONAVIRUS MASK. SURE, IF YOU'RE WORRIED IT MAY BE TEMPTING TO PAY WHATEVER SOMEONE IS ASKING FOR