There have been abundant opportunities for fraud since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. News stories and legal proceedings have highlighted fraud relating to everything from loans under the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) to mis-labeled and missing personal protective equipment (PPE). Insurers have seen their share of fraudulent or excessive claims as well.

Price Gouging

State and federal authorities seem intent on rooting out and prosecuting fraud related to COVID-19. Consider, for example, that New York has enacted a new price gouging law prompted by COVID-19 fraud. Senate Bill S.8189, signed by Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo on June 6, amends General Business Law Section 396-r to expand protections against price gouging beyond consumer goods to include any products or services vital or necessary to the health, safety, and welfare of consumers or the general public—including medical supplies and equipment such as ventilators. Moreover, the bill, available at https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2019/s8189, extends protection against price gouging beyond only consumers to small businesses, hospitals, and other health care providers, and even to New York State, as they purchase products or services for the benefit of the public.