(KTEN) --  We've had a number of reports coming in on suspected price gouging across Texoma after the winter storm took out essential resources.

The office of the attorney general in Texas and Oklahoma has authority to prosecute any business or individuals that engage in the act after a disaster has been declared by the governor or president, which in this case was prompted by the winter storm.

The alleged victims feel very frustrated, especially when people are just trying to take care of their own, or be a good neighbor. Everyone is searching for water and taking what they can get, no matter the price.

Some people are pointing the finger at retailers and workers who they believe are taking advantage. Viewers tell KTEN they're having to pay anywhere between $9-$12 for cases of water, when a normal average price per case can run between $4-$5.

Jeremy Thompson of Denison man claims he was charged 600 percent more at a local convenience store.

"He tried to charge me $35 for a can of dip and a case of water, so I figured that's about $28, because dips not cheap anymore," Thompson said. "I then told the guy, 'That's price gouging -- that ain't right,' and he tried to give me a story about it's his last case."

KTEN talked to the store owner where Thompson claimed price gouging occurred. He says the store clerk at the time had to sell a case of 15 one liter water bottles to Thompson, instead of the standard 16.9 ounce bottles. The store owner tells KTEN he would have made a price deal with Thompson for the irregular case of water bottles had he been there.

There have also been reports of suspected price gouging for wood, fuel and hotels.

Price gouging is illegal and should be reported to authorities.

Texans: your point of contact is Attorney General Ken Paxton. 

  • Call the Office of the Attorney General’s toll-free complaint line at (800) 621-0508.
  • File a complaint online here.

Oklahomans: Attorney General Mike Hunter has a Consumer Protection Unit that handles price gouging.

Individuals or businesses that engage in price gouging can be charged. Oklahoma says price gouging is an increase of more than 10 percent for the price of goods or services after a declared emergency.

The office of the Texas Attorney General doesn't list an exact amount increase for it to be considered price gouging. 

If you've seen price gouging, or fallen victim, we'd like to hear from you. You can report it here.