Beware of price gouging, emergency operations center impostors during Oakland County water emergency

Mobil gas station in Walled Lake charges $19 for case of water

OAKLAND COUNTY, Mich. – Oakland County residents are warned to beware of price gouging that is happening while 51,000 people are without running water.

READ: Boil water advisory issued for 12 communities in Oakland County due to water main break

Many businesses are running out of bottled water, while others are taking advantage of the situation and jacking up prices.

At a Mobil gas station on Maple and Decker roads in Walled Lake, water was $19 for a case Tuesday. The price was later lowered to $4.99.

The Oakland County Homeland Security division has also issued a warning about scammers who are saying they are from the Oakland County Emergency Operations Center.

According to officials, someone claiming to be with the center is calling facilities and telling them to evacuate. It's unknown why, as no evacuation orders are in place.

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About the Authors:

Nick joined the Local 4 team in February of 2015. Prior to that he spent 6 years in Sacramento covering a long list of big stories including wildfires and earthquakes. Raised in Sterling Heights, he is no stranger to the deep history and pride Detroit has to offer.