As protective gear such as face masks, hand sanitizer and hazmat suits are selling out in stores across the country amid coronavirus fears, many people are looking to online retailers to stock up on products. But some sellers have flooded the marketplaces with overpriced items and false medical claims, CNBC reported.
CNBC said it found face masks on Amazon listed as high as 582 percent above the retail price. Amazon told CNBC it has removed more than a million products for violating policies on price-gouging and making false claims about the coronavirus.
Along with Amazon, Walmart and eBay also said they have seen price-gouging and misleading claims on medical products. All three companies have said they are working to remove listings or suspending sellers that violate policies, but CNBC still found examples of products violating the rules.
Though the CDC has said it doesn't recommend that people who aren't sick wear face masks, supplies will likely continue to run out and price-gouging will likely continue as the coronavirus outbreak spreads in the U.S., according to CNBC.
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